The Guild for Human Services

10/09/2026

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is typically used by individuals with complex communication needs for whom speaking is not (always) an effective form of communication.

For individuals with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities, access to communication supports and individualized AAC is fundamental to expressing themselves, getting their needs met, and connecting with others.

This , consider how you can make communities more inclusive to all types of communication by allowing others time to articulate their message, presuming competence, advocating for access.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is typically used ...

10/08/2026

A group of adult residents at The Guild recently spent a night in the great outdoors during a camping trip with Waypoint Adventure. Everyone was there to enjoy the experience and support each other, especially the residents and staff who had not been camping before. The group hiked to their site at Tully Lake, where they relaxed with a campfire and scenic fall views!

10/05/2026

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a critical tool for students and adults who aren't always able to communicate verbally. Kensington is an adult resident at The Guild who uses both spoken language and AAC to communicate with the people in her life. In an article with The Concord Bridge, Kensington and her mom Beth shared the importance of having consistent access to communication supports.

“It gives her more independence,” Beth said. “It gives her a choice to be able to communicate effectively, choose how she wants to communicate, and prevents people from assuming what she wants.”

“For a lot of these kids, control is hard ... giving them as much autonomy and independence as possible is really huge.”

10/01/2026

Many residents, family, friends, and staff have joined Team Guild for this year's Flutie 5K in Natick. Linda and Sophia B. have been some of the top fundraisers on our team for the past several years. They have walked the Flutie 5K together since 2024 and Sophia has been able to work her way up to completing the entire route. Linda was inspired to fundraise even before Sophia moved into one of The Guild's adult residences because she saw it as an investment in a long future in the program.
Thank you to our community, including Linda and Sophia, for their fundraising efforts every year. Team Guild has raised more than $22,000 so far towards our mission to educate, encourage, and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
You can join or support Team Guild at the Flutie 5K: https://runsignup.com/Race/186352/Charity/35044

09/30/2026

Junior Paris, Adult Residential Manager, was honored with an Impact Award in the Bridge Builder category by the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers.

The award recognizes a Direct Support Professional who builds connections and creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in the community, achieve personal goals, and strengthen their independence, dignity, and self-determination.

Throughout his 22 years at The Guild, Junior has shown dedication to finding ways for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access the same experiences, relationships, and opportunities as anyone else.

Congratulations Junior!

09/25/2026

Team Guild has raised almost 2/3 of our fundraising goal of $35,000 for this year’s Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism 5K! You can help us match last year’s total by signing up to walk, run, or fundraise with us at the link in our bio.

There’s just one month until the race on October 25th. Register today to guarantee an event t-shirt!

09/15/2026

Direct Support Professionals at The Guild support people with disabilities to be included and participate in our community. No one staff member can do this work alone. DSPs show up every day and work together with their teams, families, and individuals to provide person-centered supports.
They are the heart and soul of our mission to educate, empower, and encourage individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join us in thanking DSPs for their dedication around the clock to keep the individuals we support happy, healthy, and safe!

09/01/2026

The Guild School has had some furry, feathery, and scaly visitors this summer! Students were able to meet different animals and learn about unique textures.

08/27/2026

Join Team Guild for the 27th annual Flutie 5K on Sunday, October 25!

Your contribution to Team Guild will enable us to continue providing high quality services that center each individual's unique needs. As an official charity partner with the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, 100% of the funds raised by participants will be donated back to The Guild. We hope to see you at Natick High School this fall!

Join us on Sunday, October 25th as the Flutie 5K for Autism returns to Memorial Field at Natick High School for its 27th year! Together, with our committed Charity Partners, this year's Flutie 5K will once again make a difference in the autism commun...

08/24/2026

Creating a business and environment that's inclusive to all isn't just the right thing to do for the community, it also welcomes in consumers with real purchasing power.

A new report from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and Disability:IN finds that people with disabilities account for 6.8% of disposable income in the US.

Researcher Jewett Smith said, "In our latest study, we learn that the growth in purchasing power is not incidental. It is the result of structural changes in how and where work happens, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, the adoption of accessible workplace technologies, and shifting employer attitudes toward disability disclosure that have allowed more people with disabilities to join the workforce, thrive in the private sector, and build economic lives."

This study is an early signal of what's possible when barriers to workforce entry, wealth accumulation, and economic participation are reduced, but it's also a cautionary tale about how much work lies ahead. —Reid Jewett Smith