ROCHESTER — State Sen. Michael Rodrigues has been awarded Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc of Massachusetts.

On March 3, Rodrigues will accept the award and give a speech alongside co-Legislator of the Year Josh Cutler at the council’s 43rd Annual Legislative Reception. The virtual ceremony provides a forum for legislators, people with disabilities, family members and other community members to celebrate Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness month.

Rodrigues was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 2010 and serves the First Bristol and Plymouth District, which includes Rochester.

In their work for those with disabilities, Senator Rodrigues and his staff have sponsored the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative bill, supporting more inclusive higher education in the Commonwealth, as well as vying in budgetary talks for those served by the Department of Developmental Services and supporting rate increase for workers in residential services.

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is an independent agency funded by the federal government to work with the commonwealth of Massachusetts to support people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Arc of Massachusetts (The Arc) is a statewide advocacy organization representing 200,000 individuals with 17 chapters in the state.