Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Renamed to 'MassAbility'

08:00AM / Saturday, September 21, 2024Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey signed legislation that renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility.

Governor Healey filed this bill last year to reflect the administration's goal of expanding the agency's reach and ushering in a new, more inclusive model for disability career services and independent living. The legislation also removes outdated terms from the general laws like "handicap," "handicapped," and "retarded," replacing them with "barrier," "person with a disability," and person with an "intellectual disability."

"Words matter. This legislation ensures that the names and terms we use accurately reflect the strength and capabilities of the disability community, supports our goal of helping the people we serve achieve autonomy and independence, and breaks down stigma," said Governor Maura Healey. "I'm grateful to our partners in the Legislature for advancing this legislation, and to the members of the disability community and our team at MassAbility and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services who advocated to make this a reality in Massachusetts"

The new name directly resulted from feedback from the disability community and was selected following significant research, focus groups, surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations.

"The new name MassAbility and language changes reflect both the state and agency's commitment to inclusivity, because we know that words matter," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. "MassAbility represents pride and self-determination. It's about rights and equal access. It's about building a future and being fully present and counted in the world."

The name directly resulted from feedback from the disability community and was selected following significant research, focus groups,surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations.

"This historic legislation represents the state's commitment to propelling the disability movement forward," said MassAbility Commissioner Toni Wolf. "Language has the power to shape people and culture, tackle stigmas, biases, and stereotypes. For too long, the words we've used have not reflected the strengths, resilience, and determination of the disability community. This legislation changes that. We are changing life in Massachusetts for the better, making it more equitable, accessible, and inclusive for people with disabilities."

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Air and Water Quality Testing Planned for Pittsfield High

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:00PM / Friday, July 31, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district will test air and water quality at Pittsfield High School as it prepares to request funding for "in need but not dire" renovations.

The School Committee last week received a report card on Pittsfield High School's physical condition, which was described as "poor" and in need of restoration to its original character.

The 1931 building's quality reflects the materials used at that time, and those strong bones were noted during the conversation.

"Yes, the school is in really poor condition and needs to be addressed, but I also think that we don't need to push an alarm, panic button, and create panic of whether or not certain things are there," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

"… To me, if this was a doom and gloom, 'Oh my God, get the kids out,' it would be a lot more strongly worded."

He and Superintendent Latifah Phillips toured PHS the previous week and heard concerns about air and water quality. Testing will be done before school is back in session; there was some air quality testing done two years ago.

The city is pursuing a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a quasi-independent government agency, to cover up to 80 percent of the cost for renovations. The Pittsfield Public Schools submitted statements of interest for five schools since 2007, and only two have been accepted: Taconic High School in 2009 and the proposed Crosby/Conte elementary build in 2024.

Marchetti believes PHS saw the "fastest statement of interest in the history of the City of Pittsfield." Without state funding, he said it will take 50 years to fix the issues.

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