Governor Offering Grants to Support Students with Disabilities

08:59AM / Saturday, July 26, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced it is opening applications for public colleges and universities to apply for $180,000 in grant funding to support students with disabilities participating in Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education (MAIPSE) programs.

MAIPSE enables certain students with severe disabilities to take part in undergraduate academic courses, extracurricular activities, internships, work experiences, and on campus student life activities.

Higher education institutions can apply for MAIPSE planning or implementation grants and can use the funding for a variety of program supports, including student transportation costs, technology costs to ensure students have full access to curriculum, textbooks and coursework materials, consultants like employment specialists and peer mentors, training supplies, and staff salaries.

"These grants will lift barriers for students with disabilities, enabling learners to experience college, whether it’s in a classroom, through an internship or as part of a campus club," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "Through MAIPSE, we are committed to supporting the development of more high-quality, inclusive programs so students of all abilities have access to the transformational opportunities of going to college."

In April, the Board of Higher Education unanimously approved the administration’s proposed state regulations that established MAIPSE. MAIPSE aims to improve inclusive access to post-secondary educational opportunities for students ages 18 and over with severe disabilities who are otherwise not able to achieve the underlying competency determinations needed to secure a high school diploma, including students with intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorder, and severe developmental disabilities.

All Massachusetts public community colleges, universities, and members of the University of Massachusetts system that have previously been awarded planning grant funding for an inclusive postsecondary program may apply for an implementation grant. Applications must be submitted online by July 31, 2025. Institutions can also apply for planning grants.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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