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Special Needs Trusts Online was founded on one guiding belief that every family deserves access to clear, affordable, and trustworthy estate planning. We help families navigate the complexities of special needs planning with resources that are easy to understand, tools that are accessible, and professional guidance you can rely on.
To empower families with the knowledge and support they need to secure the best possible future for a loved one with a disability. As a nonprofit, we provide free educational resources, webinars and workshops, complimentary planning consultations, affordable, attorney-drafted estate planning documents, speaking and training programs for organizations and communities.
Dr. Thomas V. Sannicandro is an internationally recognized leader in disability rights, education access, and inclusive policy. For more than two decades, he has worked at the intersection of law, research, and advocacy to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
His work is shaped not only by professional expertise but also by personal experience as a parent of an adult son with Down syndrome.
Dr. Sannicandro has devoted his life to advancing inclusion. He previously served as Director of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, a global research center focused on improving opportunities in education, employment, health care, and community life. Under his leadership, the Institute partnered with organizations, families, and governments across the world to expand equitable access.
He is a sought-after speaker who has presented nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. His work has included collaboration with policymakers, attorneys, educators, and disability advocates.
His research has been published in respected academic journals, exploring topics such as healthcare access for children with special needs, employment outcomes after postsecondary education, and inclusive higher education models.
During his 12 years in the Massachusetts Legislature, Dr. Sannicandro championed groundbreaking policies expanding civil rights and educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
He created the state’s Special Education Caucus, chaired the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and authored key legislation—including the Real Lives Law and the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Law, which established the first publicly funded college programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the nation.
His work strengthened disability rights, advanced special-education reforms, and improved pathways to employment and independence.
He is a sought-after speaker who has presented nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. His work has included collaboration with policymakers, attorneys, educators, and disability advocates throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
His research has been published in respected academic journals, exploring topics such as healthcare access for children with special needs, employment outcomes after post-secondary education, and inclusive higher-education models.
Dr. Sannicandro holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Social Policy from Brandeis University, an M.P.A. from the Harvard Kennedy School, a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. His doctoral research examined how postsecondary education impacts employment and income for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Today, Dr. Sannicandro serves on the Board of Directors of the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council, the national accrediting body for college programs serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He continues to work as an attorney, educator, researcher, and speaker, guiding families and institutions toward more inclusive policies and practices.
Our purpose is to simplify estate planning for special needs and make it accessible for everyone. We help families plan and protect their loved into the future in the following areas:
Thomas V. Sannicandro, JD, PhD, is internationally recognized as a leader on the civil rights of persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Dr. Sannicandro is a speaker and advocate on disability issues. He is an attorney who has practiced in the disability arena for more than 20 years, assisting individuals and families with enforcing their civil rights. He has run a global disability policy research institute, using research to improve the lives of people experiencing disabilities around the world. He has lectured on disability policy at Harvard University Law School, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts. In addition, he has taught at the university level at a number of colleges and universities. He has published his research in the area of disability policy and practice in a number of journals. He has served in the Massachusetts Legislature where he was instrumental in ground breaking legislation empowering people with disabilities. Dr. Sannicandro has the lived experience of having an adult son with Down Syndrome.
Dr. Sannicandro is an in demand speaker on disability policy. He has addressed numerous audiences in the United States as well as Globally. He spoke at the United Nations on the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and how it impacts people living with an intellectual disability. He has spoken extensively in Bangladesh, working with members of Parliament, lawyers, families, and persons with disabilities to help implement the United Nations’ Convention.
Dr. Sannicandro served as the director of the Institute for Community Inclusion, based at University of Massachusetts. “UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion Hires New Director – University of Massachusetts Boston”. www.umb.edu. Retrieved 2017-06-25. This global research Institute published hundreds of articles on disability policy and practice. It had efforts in South Africa, Germany, and Japan. The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) housed within the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development (SGISD) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. As one of 67 UCEDDs, it collaborates with people with disabilities, members of their families, state and local government agencies, and service providers. The goal is to advance the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The work encompasses research, program evaluation, training, consultation, education, policy analysis, information sharing, and service delivery across four main areas of emphasis:
There are three national hubs, focused on inclusive employment and education:
Dr. Sannicandro has made significant contributions to the field of disability studies through his numerous publications.
In 2016, he was the principal author of an article titled “Health Care Changes for Children with Special Health Care Needs, 2005-2011”. Their research, which was published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal, provided valuable insights into the evolution of healthcare for children with special needs over a six-year period. Sannicandro, Thomas; Parish, Susan L.; Son, Esther; Powell, Robyn M. (March 2017). “Health Care Changes for Children with Special Health Care Needs, 2005-2011”. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 21 (3): 524–530. doi:10.1007/s10995-016-2136-4. ISSN 1573-6628. PMID 27469109. S2CID 4767829.
In 2018, Dr. Sannicandro, published a paper in the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Their research, titled “Employment, Income and SSI Effects of Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”, explored the impact of higher education on the economic outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sannicandro, Thomas; Parish, Susan L.; Fournier, Steve; Mitra, Monika; Paiewonsky, Maria (September 2018). “Employment, Income, and SSI Effects of Postsecondary Education for People With Intellectual Disability”. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 123 (5): 412–425. doi:10.1352/1944-7558-123.5.412. ISSN 1944-7515. PMID 30198768. S2CID 52175745.
Dr. Sannicandro wrote an article in Exceptional Parent, titled “College and Opportunity for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities”. This work delves into the opportunities that higher education presents for individuals with intellectual disabilities. College Opportunities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities”. www.eparent.com. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
Dr. Sannicandro’s commitment to advancing understanding and improving outcomes for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. His work continues to influence policy and practice in the field.
Dr. Sannicandro served in the Massachusetts legislature from 12 years, where he created the Special Education Caucus, was chair of The Joint Committee of Higher Education, served on the Committee for Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, and was instrumental and a number of pieces of legislation empowering people with disabilities. He was successful in creating the first publicly funded college programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the country. He was the author of a number of groundbreaking laws in Massachusetts, including The Real Lives Law ( “Bill H.151”.) and the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Law. In addition, he was instrumental in making several changes to special education law, to make it easier for students with disabilities to get the education they need.
Dr. Sannicandro holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy, where he also earned his M.A. in Social Policy. His doctoral dissertation focused on the effect of postsecondary education on employment and income for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sannicandro, Tom (2016). The Effect of Postsecondary Education on Employment and Income for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (Thesis). ProQuest 1808241726. He also holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross.
Dr. Sannicandro currently serves on the Board of Directors of the newly formed accrediting entity for postsecondary education programs for students with IDD, the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council.
Dr. Sannicandro currently lives between Florida and Massachusetts with his wife. He has four adult children and three grandchildren. He is interested in the arts, real estate investment, has a passion for bodybuilding, and loves living near the beach.
Dr. Sannicandro can be reached at tom@specialneedstrustsonline.com, and through his various social media platforms.
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