AANE’s 2026 Virtual Jody Acford Conference – Safeguarding Supports: Navigating Benefits in Uncertain Times, 2/20/26, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET

Becca Lory Hector will begin this event with a few opening remarks.

Award-winning journalist Eric Garcia explores how today’s political landscape shapes public perception and policy around autism. From campaign rhetoric to legislative rollbacks, he reveals how these narratives impact Autistic people’s dignity, safety, and inclusion, while examining what’s at stake when politics, media, and misunderstanding collide.

Join Nora Bent to hear an overview of federal and state policy updates affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. This session will highlight current policy developments, state and federal budget implications, and legislative actions shaping access to services and supports. Participants will also gain practical and effective tools to engage in advocacy and make their voices heard at the state and national levels.

Noor Pervez will share practical, accessible ways our community can understand and influence policy. This session will translate current state and federal policy issues into plain language, highlight inclusive advocacy priorities, and guide participants through ASAN’s letter-writing and engagement tools designed to make political participation approachable for everyone. Attendees will leave empowered to take meaningful action in their own communities and contribute to systemic change.

There will be a 30-minute break for attendees to stretch their legs and enjoy their lunch.

Presented by Abigail Poole of Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc. (PLAN), this presentation gives attendees an opportunity to learn about special needs trusts, and how those resources can help in planning for the future. Specifically, attendees will understand how funds in a special needs trust are administered with individual benefits in mind to avoid negatively affecting their eligibility for means-tested benefits while supporting quality of life. The presentation will review state-specific benefits for residents of MA and RI, but attendees from any US state are welcome to join.

Lee Rachel Jurman will outline how recent federal cuts impact SSI and SSDI, highlight common obstacles beneficiaries may face, and provide practical guidance on navigating the system to maintain access to critical supports and benefits during times of policy change.

Transition to adulthood is fraught with uncertainty as school-based systems end. Parents, caregivers, and Autistic self-advocates are often faced with confusing and conflicting information, insurance changes can be difficult to understand, and systems are not set up to coordinate care with coverage. Any Weinstock will talk about how The Adult Insurance Transition Guide explains key eligibility changes, deadlines, and options for transitioning into adulthood.

Becca Lory Hector will begin this conclude this event with a few closing remarks.

Eric Garcia is the Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Washington
Correspondent at the Independent and the author of the book We’re Not Broken:
Changing the Autism Conversation. Exclusively represented by BrightSight
Speakers, he is also a columnist for MSNBC. He previously worked as an
assistant editor at the Washington Post’s Outlook section and an associate editor
at The Hill, as well as a correspondent for National Journal, MarketWatch, and
Roll Call. He has also written for the Daily Beast, the New Republic, and
Salon.com. Garcia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Nora Bent is the Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at The Arc of Massachusetts, where she leads state and federal policy and advocacy. Nora has over a decade of experience in federal, state, and municipal government and politics, including as the Executive Director of the 60+ member Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, and as the Deputy Finance Director of a successful ballot question campaign to uphold Massachusetts’ transgender nondiscrimination law. Nora’s career has focused on policy related to marginalized communities and ensuring that advocacy centers the voices and experiences of those impacted.

Noor Pervez is the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He previously led his campus LGBT+ advocacy group, Rainbow Guard, and gave a number of talks regarding intersectionality. His previous work centered on exploring the intersections of disability, LGBT+ and religious issues. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Emerging Media and Communications.

Abigail V. Poole, Esq. joined PLAN of MA and RI as In-House Counsel in 2025. Attorney
Poole brings with her a decade of experience in compassionately assisting individuals and
families in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration while
in private practice.

Attorney Poole is a past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys,
Massachusetts Chapter (MassNAELA), and remains an active member of MassNAELA’s
Special Needs and Disability Steering Committee and Membership Committee. Attorney
Poole received the MassNAELA Member of the Year Award in 2021 and the President’s
Award in 2024. Attorney Poole was also recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star from
2021 through 2024.

Attorney Poole earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology cum laude from Mount
Holyoke College and her Juris Doctor from New England Law|Boston.

Lee Rachel Jurman has been a private disability advocate and case manager with
Personal Disability Consulting for over 30 years. She has extensive experience
helping adults with a range of disabilities and their families access resources and
make informed decisions about living with disabilities. Lee has worked in the public
and private sector, both nationally and locally, including serving as executive director
of a MA statewide disability nonprofit. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy
from Ohio University and a Masters in Management from the Heller School at
Brandeis.

Amy Weinstock is the Director of the Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health at the UMass Chan Medical School’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, and an instructor in the medical school’s Department of Psychiatry. She has an extensive background on insurance issues related to autism and behavioral health, and has played a key role in passing several significant pieces of autism insurance legislation in Massachusetts, including the groundbreaking 2010 law requiring health insurance to cover medically necessary treatment for autism. Amy also serves as a trustee of the Riverview School, and as a Commissioner on the State’s Autism Commission.

AANE can offer participants a reduced fee or free registration through the Jody Acford Memorial Fund. As long as space remains, no one requesting financial aid will be turned away. To request financial aid, send an email to [email protected]. For example: 

Hello, 

I would like to request financial assistance for (insert full title of group). 

Sincerely, (your name). 

If you are able, please consider donating the cost of an additional registration to support the financial assistance of others.

AANE will refund support group or social activity registration fees in the following circumstances: 

– AANE cancels a group.

– AANE reschedules a group and a registrant can no longer participate. 

– If a registrant requests a refund at least 3 business days before the start date of a support group or social activity.

To request accommodations prior to a group meeting, please email [email protected] with the full name of the group you are attending, including the date and facilitator name when possible. Please describe the accommodations you’re requesting.
 

All groups are online unless noted

Multi-Session – register once for multiple sessions with the same participants in groups or workshops

Single Session – register for one session or event, includes groups, webinars, workshops, or special events

LOCAL [City, State] in front of the event/group name is intended for those living in the vicinity of the indicated area. If LOCAL is not indicated, the event is available to those living anywhere

For the safety and enjoyment of all, individuals who attend AANE groups, activities, and events must follow these guidelines.

AANE recognizes and values diversity in all its forms and expects all members of our community to contribute to an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. We are committed to fostering an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination, hate speech, harassment, or any behavior that demeans or marginalizes others based on their characteristics, identities, or lived experiences will not be tolerated. Individuals who attend AANE groups, activities, and events must follow these guidelines:

– The information discussed in support groups is considered private and confidential and is not to be shared outside of the support group. 

– All participants at AANE events are expected to respect all people’s characteristics, identities, and lived experiences.

– Speech that demeans or marginalizes others will not be tolerated.

– Participants are expected to remain sober and avoid any impairment due to alcohol or drugs while participating in AANE programs.

AANE reserves the right to deny admission, ask an individual participant to leave, or remove participants from the event/program for inappropriate or disrespectful.

If you are new to Zoom, we suggest that you visit their Help Center before your meeting to familiarize yourself with the platform.

The resources and information shared within AANE support groups are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our hope is that these resources will provide you with useful connections as you navigate your journey of discovery and connection. AANE​ makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information shared within the group.