Theresa Varnet has been an advocate for persons with disabilities for over 25 years. In addition to being a certified teacher, licensed social worker and a graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, she is the parent of a disabled adult daughter. She has served as Social Services Director in a residential school for profoundly retarded children, Coordinator for a Special Education Cooperative and as a Citizen Advocacy/Disability Rights Coordinator. While living in the Sultanate of Oman, she assisted the Omani Ministry of Social Affairs in developing the first preschool program for children with handicapping conditions. Ms. Varnet is an active volunteer in the National, State and local chapters of The Arc (formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens), is a member of The Association for the Severely Handicapped, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Alliance for the Mentally Ill, past member of the Developmental Disabilities Council in MA and KY, and past member of the Governor's Advisory Panel on Special Education in KY. She received her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. Her experience includes extensive work in the area of in-service training with families, special educators, social workers and other professionals. She is a frequent speaker for volunteer and professional groups and has presented nationally at the National Conferences of TASH, AAIDD, NADS, and The Arc, U.S. among others. She is also the co-author, with Richard Spain, of Home Control Through Estate and Financial Planning, funded by the Illinois and Missouri Planning Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Varnet has been quoted on numerous occasions in national journals and publications, including Newsweek, Kiplinger Retirement Report, Business Week, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and the AARP Bulletin. Ms. Varnet has served as President of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Arc and as a Director on the Massachusetts Chapter of AAIDD. She is currently a member of the American Bar Association, the Worcester Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Ms. Varnet is licensed in both Massachusetts and Illinois and serves as counsel to the firm of Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, P.C.. She lives in Northborough, Massachusetts with her husband and continues to advocate for her daughter who now lives in a shared living program.

Firm Description

Spain, Spain & Varnet P.C. is recognized for its experience and expertise in planning for the
needs of clients who have a family member with special needs. The members of the firm are
versed in the laws unique to special needs issues and have drafted related legislation designed
to protect such individuals.

Hours

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