Brody, Jessica v. MassAbility (SPR 20260307)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records February 3, 2026 SPR26/0307 Saraha Defensor, Esq. Counsel MassAbility 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111 Dear Attorney Defensor: I have received the petition of Jessica Brody appealing the nonresponse of MassAbility to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 8, 2026 Ms. Brody requested the following: [1] [A] complete electronic copy of my Massachusetts case file, including: eligibility determinations; any documents referencing my Missouri IPE; all communications; all case notes; all drafts/final IPE documents; all internal assessments; all supervisory notes; all correspondence[;] [2] [R]ecords related to Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) approved by MassAbility VR that include employment goals requiring the completion of a graduate degree. This request includes redacted copies of any such IPEs, or excerpts thereof, as well as aggregate data reflecting the number of these IPEs approved, the types of graduate programs involved, and any VR funding authorized for these training programs for 2019-2025. I am not requesting any personally identifying client information and specifically request that all disclosures comply with 34 C.F.R. §361.38 and applicable state confidentiality exemptions. If full redacted copies cannot reasonably be produced, I request that the agency provide the following aggregate information instead: All information is requested for 2019-2025; The number of IPEs approved in each fiscal year that require a graduate degree; The areas of study or program types funded; Total amounts of VR funding approved or expended for such graduate-level IPEs; Any internal or external guidance, memoranda, policies, or communications that outline Mass Ability’s criteria or decision-making process for approving or denying IPEs requiring graduate education[.] One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Saraha Defensor, Esq. SPR26/0307 Page 2 February 3, 2026 Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Brody petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR26/0307, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that MassAbility provided Ms. Brody with a response on February 2, 2026. Where this appeal was opened as a result of MassAbility’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Brody may appeal the substantive nature of the MassAbility’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jessica Brody