Episodes

The initiative of the After I’m Gone Project focuses on a key challenge facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families. What happens when a family member can no longer be the primary caregiver, coach, or supporter? The post Leo Sarkissian-After I’m Gone Project appeared first on PLAN of MA and RI.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. In Massachusetts, it is a bedrock in community-building and vital to bringing Special Olympics programming and inclusion to every city, town, and neighborhood. The LETR is a year-round fundraising and awareness building program, designed to empower members of the law enforcement community to support Special Olympics athletes who live, work, and comp...

Becky Jackson Curran is a respected disability inclusion advocate, professional speaker, and media consultant with a passion for advancing authentic representation of people with disabilities in the media and society. Born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, Becky has spent her career breaking barriers and educating others on the value of inclusion in all aspects of life. “I’m passionate about finding a way to change how little people and all people with disabilities are perc...

Adam Hartwell is the Director of Attainable Outreach at the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). He joined MEFA in 2022 to provide education, training, and advocacy regarding the Attainable Savings Plan, the Massachusetts ABLE Program which allows individuals with disabilities to save tax-free. At MEFA, Adam works closely with a variety of national, state, and local organizations, hosting webinars, conferences, and training sessions to help the disability community access tax-ad...

Taffy Nothnagle is known for her lifelong commitment to inclusion, community building, and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities. In May 2026, Taffy was featured in Raising Us, a documentary about a group of mothers that fought for the right to public education, and built community support systems for their children. In June 2026, Taffy was inducted to the Special Olympics MA Hall of Fame and honored as an advocate for leadership and inclusion. The post Taffy Nothnagle-Special ...

PLAN is so proud to be a partner and support the incredible work being done on behalf of individuals with ID & IDD and we’re committed to the mission of inclusion for individuals with different abilities. Thank you to Patrick Shaughnessy for sharing more about the Hyannis Port Challenge that raises awareness and resources to help fund the many other initiatives that support individuals with disabilities and their families at all stages of their journey. The post Patrick Shaughnessy-Best Buddies ...

Not liking the choices he faced, John turned to his father and said, “I want to go into business with you.” John had worked with Mark before and he thought the best way to find a job he would love was to create one. To Mark, this seemed like a great plan. The two would-be partners needed to come up with an idea for their business. John’s first suggestion? A fun store. “I wanted something fun and creative.” Though neither of them could figure out what a fun store would actually sell. Next, John...

PLAN of MA & RI is proud to partner with Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island. Our work together promotes inclusion and offers support for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). PLAN of MA & RI is thrilled to celebrate Eleanor Jones who joined our team, from the Best Buddies Jobs Program, nearly three years ago! The Best Buddies Jobs Program helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure jobs which allow them to earn an income and indepen...

Elizabeth (Liz) Sandblom is the Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of the South Shore. With a career spanning more than three decades, Elizabeth brings extensive experience and passion to her role, where she leads the organization’s strategic direction and operations. Before joining The Arc, Elizabeth spent 30 years at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, most recently serving as Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Operations at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). In her tenure at DDS, s...

Anthony Shriver founded Best Buddies International to create friendships and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He launched the new initiative Eunie’s Buddies to support families who are raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, honoring his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Eunie’s Buddies provides families with support, encouragement, and resources, while Best Buddies continues to focus on its mission of inclusion and op...

Margaret (Meg) Hogan currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Boston Senior Home Care. Before joining the agency in 2017, Meg was Vice President of External Relations for Home Health Foundation, which included Home Health VNA, Merrimack Valley Hospice, and Home Care, Inc., one of the largest home care agencies in Massachusetts. In that role, Meg oversaw the development and implementation of strategic, agency-wide programs and initiatives that advanced and promoted patient care services. B...

James Day Keith is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete, actor, and passionate advocate for inclusion who starred in the movie Champions. He promotes friendship, acceptance, and belonging for people of all abilities, shares his story with schools and organizations, and serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics Massachusetts and Best Buddies. He is recognized for his leadership, fitness, and dedication to inspiring others to reach their full potential. He also works as a swim instructor, tea...

Bob Scannell has been the leader of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) for the past 38 years. BGCD serves over 4,000 youth each year and have over 202 programs and activities. Their mission is to always welcome and connect young people and families to opportunities that embrace diversity, nurture growth, and inspire success. As part of the Boston Inclusion Network for Disabilities (BIND), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester believes that inclusion is more than placement, it’s being ...

Maura Sullivan, MPA is the new Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts. In a historic moment, Maura becomes the first parent of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to lead The Arc since its first Director, Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz, in 1954. Maura Sullivan has been a dynamic force within The Arc of Massachusetts for over a decade, leading Government Affairs and serving as the Director of Operation House Call, the nationally recognized training program that e...

Jonathan Gardner is a dedicated advocate for disability rights at both the state and national levels. A homeschool graduate, cancer survivor, and individual who happens to have Autism, Jonathan serves as an Official Ambassador for Operation House Call through the Arc of Massachusetts, a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Supported Decision-Making Coalition, a board member of Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and a Council Member of the ...

Dr. Moses S. Dixon, PhD, is a leading practitioner in Global Health and Social Medicine with a comprehensive background in the non-profit and governmental sectors locally and nationally. He has served as the President & CEO of Senior Connection, formerly the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. (CMAA), since 2019. Dr. Dixon earned a doctorate in Community and Public Affairs from The State University of New York at Binghamton, a Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from the...

Representative Sean Garballey is a champion of inclusion. PLAN of MA & RI partner, Special Olympics Massachusetts, recently awarded the Jack Brett award to Rep. Garballey for his work on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Special Olympics is very very important to me. I’ve been volunteering with Special Olympics for a pretty long time; and last year I was able to get money from the state budget dedicated to supporting Special Olympics across the commonwealth of M...

Rob Wrubel has had an amazing journey to get to where he is. He talks about following his purpose and passion on his life’s journey. He is the father of a special needs daughter. Rob uses his knowledge to help special needs families by serving as their financial advisor and by speaking to families and professional groups throughout the country. “Special needs families face financial challenges not faced by other parents, such as protecting governmental benefits by good planning and balancing sav...

Senator O’Connor’s legislative platform aligns with the mission of PLAN, as he has been consistently working throughout his time in the State Senate to serve those with disabilities in helping to preserve assets, protect benefits, and to live well. Providing resources not just to those who are living with disabilities, but also ensuring that their family is taken care of, are aligning priorities that both PLAN and the Senator share. Since being sworn in, Senator O’Connor has been advocating for...

Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, Zach was not very socially active and did not participate in many extracurricular activities. After joining his high school Best Buddies chapter during freshman year, that all changed. Zach made tons of friends, went to parties, and even was named the Best Buddies Buddy Director at his school. This led Zach to have the chance to catch a touchdown pass from Tom Brady at the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port event in Boston, which Zach says was one of...

Dr. White was named President and Chief Executive Officer for Road To Responsibility, Inc. (RTR) in September 2008. He has been active in the field of human services since 1980. Under his experienced leadership, RTR has grown more than 30% between 2008 and 2015 and continues to be recognized as one of the top provider organizations in the state. Dr. White also serves on the Board of Directors for the MA Council of Human Service Providers (The Provider’s Council) and is on the Executive Board fo...

Mr. Brett has been a lifelong champion for people with disabilities. In May 2022, President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as the Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) and reappointed him as Chairman in 2023. He previously served on PCPID under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, including a term as Chairman from 2011–2013. In 2016, Congress appointed him to the National Council on Disability. He is also currently the Chair of the Governor...

Cynthia Haddad is a Certified Financial Planner Professional and a Chartered Special Needs Consultant. She is a founding partner and wealth advisor at Affinia Financial Group in Burlington, MA. As a financial professional and sister and advocate for her brother Ron, who has developmental disabilities, Cindy has dedicated her career to serving families like her own. She is a nationally sought-after speaker on planning for families of individuals with disabilities and co-author of the groundbreaki...

In this episode, we hear from Collette Divitto, the founder of the nationally recognized baking business Collettey’s Cookies, as well as her mother Rosemary Alfredo. Collette, who was born in 1990 with Down syndrome, developed her passion for baking while taking classes in high school in her hometown of Ridgefield, Connecticut. She graduated from a three-year LIFE program at Clemson University in just two years. Despite going on many interviews, she encountered significant barriers to employmen...