13-02-2025
Developmental disability providers lobby for budget funding
BOSTON, (WWLP) – Hundreds of developmental disability providers and disabled adults gathered at the State House to call for funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
The work of these providers–members of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers or ADDP–focuses primarily on addressing workplace challenges for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with autism or traumatic brain injuries.
One lawmaker spoke at the forum about the importance of uplifting disabled peoples' voices in conversations about their wellbeing.
'It happens by being led by those who are most impacted, who are most marginalized, by access to services and resources,' said 1st Worcester District Senator Robyn Kennedy.
The ADDP's long-term goal is to ensure human services salary benchmarks are aligned with the 75th percentile of the Massachusetts Bureau of Labor index, which would ensure competitive compensation for these workers.
In this year's budget, the ADDP is requesting funding to get these workers' salaries to the 63rd percentile. 'Instead of being paid at $20.79 an hour, which is projected now, we are requesting that people will be paid $22.35 an hour,' explained Ellen Attaliades, President and CEO of the ADDP.
Raising salaries to the 63rd percentile would cost the commonwealth an additional hundred million dollars, and the ADDP says it is worth the investment.
The budget process continues with House and Senate drafts before they are combined and finalized this summer.
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