Enforce Civil Rights
Expand Opportunities
Empower People With Disabilities
CPR uses legal strategies, advocacy, and policy to promote the integration and full community participation of people with disabilities and all others who are devalued in today’s society.
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Litigation
Expanding and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
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Advocacy
Stay current on disability issues, educate yourself about the impact of proposed policy changes, and learn how to take action.
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Supported Decision-Making
Learn about SDM, read how SDM transforms lives, and become a participant, supporter or advocate.
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COVID-19
Get up-to-date resources on COVID-19 and its impact on people with disabilities, including information on the latest policy developments, medical rationing, and Medicaid.
News
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July 31, 2024From July 2023 through June 2024, the Center for Public Representation (CPR), in collaboration with key community partners and with the financial support of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), designed and implemented an innovative “gap-filling” initiative to make Supported Decision-Making (SDM) more available to linguistically, ethnically, and culturally diverse communities in Massachusetts. This final report summarizes the project, its approach, lessons learned, and promising practices.
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June 18, 2024Following a fairness hearing on June 17, 2024, at the United States District Court in Boston, Judge Nathaniel Gorton entered a final order on June 18, 2024 approving a landmark cross-disability Settlement Agreement in Marsters v. Healey. The Marsters case is a disability rights class action lawsuit brought against the Commonwealth on behalf of tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities who are unnecessarily institutionalized in nursing facilities. “This case is all about bringing people home. The Court’s approval of the Settlement Agreement will allow thousands of people with disabilities who are segregated in nursing facilities to come home to their communities, where we all want and deserve to live,” said Steven Schwartz, Special Counsel for CPR.
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April 24, 2024On April 23, 2024, federal Judge Nathaniel Gorton preliminarily approved the Settlement Agreement in Marsters v. Healey. The court also provisionally certified a class of people with disabilities in nursing facilities, and approved a notice that will sent to all people in nursing facilities in Massachusetts.
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April 23, 2024On April 22, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a comprehensive and compelling Statement of Interest opposing dismissal of a Class Action Complaint filed by CPR and partners on January 3, 2024.
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April 16, 2024Today, CPR and Massachusetts signed a landmark Settlement Agreement that will provide residential programs so that thousands of people with disabilities who are unnecessarily segregated in nursing facilities can return to their families and communities.