Swampscott resident Jo Ann Simons who serves as the president and CEO of Northeast Arc, was recently honored by Special Olympics Massachusetts with the John “Jack” Brett Champion’s Award. 

The award is named in honor of James (Jim) Brett’s late brother Jack, who inspired friends and family to advocate for communities of acceptance and inclusion. Jim, who serves as the president and CEO of the New England Council, presented Simons with the award, praising her as an “extraordinary advocate for people with disabilities.” 

“It’s been decades that I’ve known this woman, Jo Ann Simons. She has truly been an extraordinary advocate for people,” said James.

The John “Jack” Brett Champion’s Award has been presented since 2015. In accepting the award, Simons spoke about what the Special Olympics has meant to her and her son Jonathan. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Special Olympics, an organization that means so much to our family personally but to millions of athletes and their families worldwide,” Simons said. 

When he was born, Jonathan was diagnosed with Down syndrome and heart defects. Simons realized the resources for her son were not in one place, and she would need to advocate for the rights of her son and others with disabilities.

“When I was able to see him for the first time after he had been whisked away at birth, hooked up to more machines than I could imagine, I was able to reach into his isolette and touch the only part of his body that was visible to me. It was his leg,” Simons said. “And I whispered these words. ‘You might not be in the Olympics, but maybe you’ll be in the Special Olympics.’ Because of the dream that Eunice Kennedy Shriver had and carried on so beautifully by Mary Beth McMahon, I could dare to dream new dreams.”

Since Simons has not only written a book – covering issues from accessing education support to building communities and applying for adult services like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income – but she has also served as president and CEO of Cardinal Cushing Center as well as on the board of LIFE, a nonprofit in southeastern Massachusetts that provides residential and community services for adults with learning and intellectual disabilities.

In addition to her work at Northeast Arc, Simons also has served on the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disabilities since 2016.