Massachusetts West Region Self Advocacy

Category: Events

  • Conference Registration Deadline Approaching!

    Conference Registration Deadline Approaching!

    Get your tickets by June 10th!

  • Conference Workshop & Keynote Applications

    Conference Workshop & Keynote Applications

    Workshop-ApplicationDownload
    Keynote-Speaker-ApplicationDownload
  • 2023 Massachusetts West Region Self Advocacy Conference Theme Announcement!

    2023 Massachusetts West Region Self Advocacy Conference Theme Announcement!

    We are excited to announce that the theme of the 2023 Massachusetts West Region Self Advocacy Conference will be Self Advocacy & Human Rights For All

  • 2022 Conference Recordings

    2022 Conference Recordings

    2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference logo

    We are happy to share that you can now watch recordings of the 2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference Keynote Speaker, awards ceremony and Department of Developmental Services question and answer session. Click the purple button below.

    Watch Now

  • Virtual Option for 2022 Conference

    Virtual Option for 2022 Conference

    In light of the current COVID 19 numbers West Region Self Advocacy will be providing an extra virtual option for our 2022 Self Advocacy Conference. Online attendees will be able to see our key note speaker Dr. Temple Grandin as well as participate on our Q & A session with DDS Central/West Director Anthony Keane and view the awards ceremony. Registration can be accessed on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/99074992971

  • Conference Workshops

    Westfield Self Advocacy Presents

    Why Friendship Matters

    Self Advocacy Impact Lab Presents

    Connecting Through Activism

    Creating Inclusive Community:

    A Discussion of Race & Identity

    Let’s Talk about Sex

    Team-building Puzzle Game

    Open Door Club Presents

    Building Friendships & Networking

  • 2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference Keynote Speaker Announcement

    2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference Keynote Speaker Announcement

    We are thrilled to announce that this year’s keynote speaker will be world renowned scientist and speaker Dr. Temple Grandin!

    Dr. Temple Grandin

    Dr. Grandin is a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior.  Today she is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.  She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare.  She has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and a BBC Special – “The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow”. She has also appeared on National TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, Sixty Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 TED talk.  Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award winning movie about her life and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016.

    When she was young, she was considered weird and teased and bullied in high school.  The only place she had friends was activities where there was a shared interest such as horses, electronics, or model rockets.  Mr. Carlock, her science teacher, was an important mentor who encouraged her interest in science.  When she had a new goal of becoming a scientist, she had a reason for studying.  Today half the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she has designed.

  • 2022 Conference Workshop Application

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SejD0mBHsZWTWYjJ-bxWr1MBuT2F0ArccxUQIzNkfsw/edit?usp=sharing

    Are you a self advocate with an important story to tell or information to teach? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

    REQUIREMENTS:

    -Must be able to present for approximately 50 minutes

    -Must submit current resume

    TO APPLY:
    Please send this completed form and a current resume to West Region Self Advocacy Coordinators  (Amber, apettell@wmtcinfo.org or Dana, dlund@wmtcinfo.org)   187 High st Suite 202 Holyoke MA 01040)

    PLEASE NOTE:
    -Multiple people or a group may choose to apply to present together. Please list the names of everyone who plans to present. 

    -Presenters are not required to identify as self advocates, but priority will be given to workshops involving self advocates.

  • Understanding Your Rights: Self Advocacy & the Law Retreat

    Understanding Your Rights: Self Advocacy & the Law Retreat

    This informative afternoon of guest speakers and activities will give participants a chance to learn from experts about a number of very important topics regarding individual rights and the American legal system. Topics covered will include:

    • The Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Understanding Basic Legal rights
    • How to Access Legal Resources if you Need Help

    Questions? Contact Amber Pettell (apettell@wmtcinfo.org/(413) 535-6999)

    Register

    https://wrsaunderstandingrights.eventbrite.com

  • Join Rainbow Support Group ?

    Western Massachusetts Rainbow Support Group is relaunching August 25th

    CALLING ALL LGBTQIA+ SELF ADVOCATES

    Rainbow Support Group will be hosting a Zoom Meeting about our return to regular meetings on August 25th! The Rainbow Support Group provides support and information to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or are questioning. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join us!

    For more information, contact Dana Lund or comment below!
    dlund@wmtcinfo.org
    413-887-4205