In a new amicus brief, The Arc, Disability Rights Texas, and AAIDD urge Texas court to follow science, not stereotypes WASHINGTON, DC – In a critical death penalty case, The Arc of the United States, The Arc of Texas, Disability Rights Texas, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), along with law […]

The post Advocates Fight to Protect Texas Man With Intellectual Disability from Execution appeared first on The Arc.

From an early age, Lawrence Sapp found his calling in swimming. His parents enrolled him on a summer swim team at just 5 years old, hoping it would help their son find his voice and a life-saving skill. Little did they know, swimming would become Lawrence’s passion and lead him to incredible heights. Lawrence started […]

The post Paralympic Swimmer Lawrence Sapp: Defying Expectations About IDD appeared first on The Arc.

Many see college as a path to a better life and unlocking their dreams. But student debt often stops this, especially for people with disabilities. A major reason is due to income. People with disabilities experience poverty more than double the rate of individuals without disabilities. A study found that nearly 3 in 5 people […]

The post Unlocking Dreams: The Power of Student Loan Forgiveness for People With Disabilities appeared first on The Arc.

In an innovative partnership, The Home Depot has collaborated with leading disability rights organizations to remove barriers and improve job access for applicants with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Home Depot worked closely with The Arc of the United States, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and Equip for Equality (EFE) to develop policy […]

The post The Home Depot Collaborates With Disability Community to Enhance Employment Access for Job Seekers With IDD appeared first on The Arc.

Family is at the heart of Burt Hudson’s connection to The Arc. Burt’s younger brother John, who he introduces as “my best friend for as long as I’ve been alive,” has an intellectual and developmental disability called WAGR syndrome. His love for John is boundless, but as a teenager, Burt was mad at the world […]

The post Spotlighting The Arc’s Changemakers: Burt Hudson, Treasurer of the Board of Directors appeared first on The Arc.

June 22 marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C.,  a landmark case that opened the door for millions of people with disabilities to live in the community. What was the Olmstead case about? The Olmstead case involved two women from Georgia, Lois Curtis (the L.C. in the case […]

The post Celebrating 25 Years of the Olmstead Decision appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC – Our 25 organizations, representing patients with serious health conditions and disabilities and their providers, applaud the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling reversing the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al. v FDA et al, on the grounds that the plaintiffs don’t have standing in their challenge concerning the use and […]

The post 25 Patient and Provider Groups Applaud Supreme Court Ruling, but Express Concern About Other Plaintiffs Keeping FDA Authority Challenge Alive appeared first on The Arc.

This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating Mike, a dad whose unconditional love and devotion are redefining society’s views on parenthood. Born with cerebral palsy, Mike has navigated life from a wheelchair, facing prejudices that often wrongly question the ability of those with disabilities to raise children. Mike is the proud dad to four children, ages 16, […]

The post A Father’s Love Knows No Limits appeared first on The Arc.

Voting is an essential part of our democracy and our right as citizens. Too often, people with disabilities struggle to be able to vote. Here are some (but not all) of the reasons that people may struggle: Polling places may not have accessible entrances, spaces, machines, or ballots. Poll workers and election officials may not […]

The post This Election Year, Know Your Voting Rights! appeared first on The Arc.

For some, August can be a time for camping trips, beach days, and other fun summer activities. But for members of Congress, August signals the start of Congressional Recess. During August recess, U.S. senators and representatives leave Washington, DC, and travel to their home states and districts to begin a fast-paced schedule of constituent meetings, […]

The post Tips to Advocate During August Congressional Recess appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC, May 16, 2024 – Today, The Arc of the United States and Comcast NBCUniversal announced a major expansion of their long-standing partnership that will break down barriers and create more equity and opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Comcast is providing a $1 million grant over two years to The […]

The post Comcast Grants $1M to Transform The Arc’s Data, Tech Training, and Spanish Education Resources appeared first on The Arc.

Journalists, are people with disabilities and disability issues at the forefront of your coverage? With over 61 million Americans and 1 billion people globally living with a disability, we all know and love someone with a disability. Yet this large and influential community remains underrepresented in media narratives. Too often, disability stories perpetuate negative stereotypes, […]

The post 5 Disability Stories Journalists Should Be Covering Right Now (2024) appeared first on The Arc.

The partnership will provide $100,000 to 10 communities to expand mental health support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities MINNEAPOLIS, MN and WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2024)–The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has awarded The Arc of the United States a three-year, $2.5 million grant to improve mental […]

The post The Arc and United Health Foundation Launch $2.5M Partnership to Tackle Mental Health Crisis for People With Disabilities appeared first on The Arc.

Disability is a part of the rich tapestry of human diversity, and something that nearly all of us will experience at some point in our lives. It’s also a significant identity that defines how we experience the world. Yet people with disabilities have been marginalized and misunderstood for generations. All disabilities and their intersecting identities […]

The post Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month appeared first on The Arc.

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. People with disabilities deserve to live full, self-determined lives, […]

The post Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month appeared first on The Arc.

By James R. Meadours This month is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it makes me think about when I was sexually assaulted as a teenager. When I got assaulted the first time, the girls made me have sex with them, but other times it was touching me and fondling me. They made me go into […]

The post Sexual Assault Could Happen to Anyone appeared first on The Arc.

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, eligible voters will have the opportunity to vote in federal, state, and local elections. The leaders who are elected will have a big impact on people with disabilities and their families, because they influence what policies are made and how tax dollars are spent. Your vote has the power to […]

The post Make Plans to Exercise Your Right to Vote in 2024 appeared first on The Arc.

The Arc Joins Law Enforcement Associations, Faith-Based Organizations, Medical Professionals, Legal Experts, Academic Leaders, Advocates, and Members of Congress in an Amicus Brief Urging an End to the Criminalization of Homelessness Washington, DC — In a historic move to protect the rights of people with disabilities experiencing homelessness, The Arc of the United States has joined […]

The post The Arc Fights for the Rights of Homeless People With Disabilities in Landmark Supreme Court Case appeared first on The Arc.

April is Autism Acceptance Month, celebrating the talents, contributions, and diversity within the autism community. At The Arc, autistic people and their loved ones are a part of our staff, volunteer leaders, and key people guiding our work every day. Their lived experiences are vital, as an estimated 1 in 36 children in the U.S. […]

The post Autism Acceptance Month: Celebrate Differences appeared first on The Arc.

A childhood friendship sparked Ken Oakes’ lifelong dedication to the disability community. His mom’s cousin Louise had Down syndrome and was only 10 years older than him, making her part of Ken’s inner circle growing up. This early exposure ignited a drive to serve, though he didn’t know where it would lead him yet. Ken […]

The post Spotlighting The Arc’s Changemakers: Kenneth Oakes, Immediate Past President appeared first on The Arc.

As we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Women’s History Month this March, we are reminded of the powerful role women have played in the disability rights movement. From visionary founders to modern-day pioneers, the fight for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has been shaped by courageous women […]

The post Celebrating Women in the Disability Rights Movement appeared first on The Arc.

Around the country, families are struggling to find and afford child care, and child care centers are struggling to keep their doors open. Half the country lives in child care deserts, where the number of kids under age five far exceeds the child care slots available. Families of children with disabilities face even greater challenges […]

The post Tonya’s Struggle to Find Child Care for Her Daughter appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC – In the wake of the police killing of Ryan Gainer, a Black autistic teenager, The Arc of the United States and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) are announcing a landmark program to protect the lives and futures of people with disabilities. Just Policing—made possible […]

The post New Police Training Aims to Bridge Gap and Build Safety With Disability Community appeared first on The Arc.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to uplift the diverse talents and dreams of people with developmental disabilities. Common developmental disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and learning disorders. The big picture: At The Arc, we believe people with developmental disabilities deserve every opportunity to live the life they choose. One where […]

The post Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Shattering Stigmas & Obstacles appeared first on The Arc.

The killing of Ryan Gainer, a Black autistic teen, is a devastating injustice. Too many people with disabilities, especially those from marginalized communities, cannot access the crisis intervention services they need. In the face of Ryan’s mental health crisis, his family called 911 for help. Instead of receiving the care he needed from a competent […]

The post The Arc’s Statement on the Killing of Ryan Gainer appeared first on The Arc.

Class Action Seeks to Remedy Systemic Failure and Violations of Federal and State Law March 7, 2024 – Parents and guardians of children with disabilities living in the District of Columbia (DC), along with The Arc of the United States, filed a class action lawsuit today against DC’s Office of the State Superintendent for Education […]

The post DC’s OSSE Sued for Failure to Provide Safe and Reliable School Transportation, Denying Disabled Students Access to Education appeared first on The Arc.

When Mitch was just ten days old, he had a stroke. Four years later, he began experiencing seizures, which would continue until he was 10 years old. The stroke and seizures mean that Mitch has trouble using both the left and right sides of his body—but it also inspires him to focus on his abilities […]

The post Spotlighting The Arc’s Changemakers: Mitch Routon, Secretary of The Arc’s Board of Directors appeared first on The Arc.

This letter was originally published in the Syracuse Post-Standard. It has been adapted with permission from letter-writer Barbara Davis, a member of The Arc’s National Sibling Council. I am the sister and legal guardian of a sibling with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). She resides in Onondaga County in New York and receives services […]

The post Providers Who Care for People With Disabilities Deserve a Raise appeared first on The Arc.

Plaintiffs argue state law discriminates against voters of color and voters with disabilities, threatening democratic foundations. San Antonio, TX – A six-week trial challenging regressive voting rights provisions in Texas’ Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1) concluded with closing arguments today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The lawsuit asserts that […]

The post Landmark Trial Challenging Regressive Voting Rights Provisions in Texas Senate Bill 1 Concludes appeared first on The Arc.

The following blog post was originally published on the Legal Defense Fund’s website and is reposted here with permission. View the original blog here. In San Antonio, Texas, community members and advocates gathered outside of the federal courthouse on October 2, 2023 with emblazoned signs in hand, shouting spirited chants. As a trial was underway […]

The post Texas Voters With Disabilities Share their Stories appeared first on The Arc.

The following blog post was originally published on the World Institute on Disability’s website and is reposted here with permission. View the original blog here. By Dikko Yusuf Black disabled history is an aspect of Black history, which informs world history. Black History Month is officially celebrated every year in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and the […]

The post Why Black Disabled History Matters appeared first on The Arc.

Digital access and skills are a critical component of modern life. In 2023, The Arc and Comcast teamed up to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) leverage technology to open the door to new experiences in their communities. The Arc and Comcast have a long-standing partnership to do this work. The Arc’s national […]

The post Comcast and The Arc Collaborate to Improve Digital Skills and Make Life-Changing Impact for People With Disabilities appeared first on The Arc.

If anyone embodies the fierce, compassionate spirit of advocacy at the heart of The Arc, it’s Debbi Harris, MA, MS, the 2023 Vice President of our national Board of Directors. For over 25 years, Debbi has fought tirelessly to shape systems that fully include people with disabilities and complex medical needs—and it all starts with […]

The post Spotlighting The Arc’s Changemakers: Debbi Harris, Vice President of the Board appeared first on The Arc.

Journalists, did you know people with disabilities are the largest minority voting bloc in our country? It’s also a population that has been growing rapidly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet all too often, people with disabilities and the issues vital to them and their loved ones are absent from candidate debates, interviews, […]

The post A Journalist’s Guide to Disability for Election 2024 appeared first on The Arc.

Working with people with disabilities is Lawrence’s long-time passion. He has worked as a direct support professional (DSP) in New York and Texas, both before and after serving in the Army. As a DSP, Lawrence takes pride in the trusted role he has in the lives of people with disabilities. He helps transport people to […]

The post DSP Spotlight: Lawrence Discusses Hardship Imposed on Direct Care Workforce appeared first on The Arc.

Our health care system is failing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) – and costing them their lives. Their shared experiences are eye-opening and egregious, including doctors outright refusing to provide services, wrongly attributing health issues to their disability, not viewing people with IDD as reliable communicators of their own health issues, making assumptions […]

The post “He Isn’t Worth Helping” – Devastating Stories of Medical Ableism appeared first on The Arc.

When Julia Kennedy was born in 1982, The Arc had already been laying the groundwork for her to thrive. Laura and Hal Kennedy were parents to two daughters, ages 3 and 4, when Julia arrived. Early on in her infancy, they knew that Julia was experiencing developmental delays. She eventually was diagnosed with profound intellectual […]

The post Spotlighting The Arc’s Changemakers: Laura Kennedy, President of the Board of Directors appeared first on The Arc.

Are you a journalist looking for impactful stories that demand greater coverage? If they aren’t already, disability issues should be part of your reporting. One in 4 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 people worldwide report having a disability, statistics that are likely underreported, yet this population remains underrepresented in media. Increased coverage is crucial […]

The post 5 Disability Stories Journalists Should Be Covering Right Now appeared first on The Arc.

Amazon Will Donate 5,000 Devices, Provide Monetary Support, and Engage IDD Community for Ongoing Feedback Washington, DC – Technology can be life-changing, but people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) disproportionately face barriers to access and adoption. Amazon and The Arc have announced a landmark community program that will expand technology access and empower greater […]

The post Amazon Announces Donation Program With The Arc to Advance Connectivity and Independence for People With Disabilities appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC – The Arc of the United States, the oldest and largest nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), today named Katherine (Katy) Neas as its new CEO. Katy brings more than 35 years of experience in disability policy and public and nonprofit leadership to the role. Her tenure with The Arc […]

The post The Arc of the United States Names Katherine Neas as Its Next CEO appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC – Every person deserves the freedom of living in their own homes, being a part of their communities, and choosing how they spend their days. Medicaid’s home and community-based services makes that possible for millions of people with disabilities and older adults, yet chronic underfunding is forcing them into institutions and putting families […]

The post Disability Advocates Urge Support for Emergency Funding Bill to Address Medicaid Care Crisis appeared first on The Arc.

By Leigh Anne McKingsley, Senior Director, Disability & Justice Initiatives I had just completed my master’s in social work when The Arc hired me in 1994 to oversee a national project educating criminal justice professionals about safe interactions with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). That initial one-year project led to my life’s work […]

The post NCCJD Celebrates 10 Years of Disability and Criminal Justice Advocacy appeared first on The Arc.

Texas mom and advocate Jeanna is no stranger to the disability field. She has three children, two of whom have disabilities. She is also a professional advocate who helps families navigate Texas’ education and service systems.  In January 2020, when Jeanna learned that her 14-year-old daughter Leah was having major behavioral issues at school, […]

The post Leah Should Have Never Been Restrained and Secluded appeared first on The Arc.

If Congress fails to reach a deal to fund the federal government by September 30, the government will shut down, which means federal agencies will cease non-essential operations until a deal is reached. We want you to be fully informed about how the looming government shutdown could impact you! Many people with disabilities rely on […]

The post How the Government Shutdown Could Impact People With Disabilities appeared first on The Arc.

Each October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we celebrate the many contributions and achievements of employees with disabilities. Employees with disabilities are dependable, loyal, and eager to learn—and research shows that their inclusion in the workforce improves overall employee retention rate and morale. However, people with disabilities have been marginalized and misunderstood for […]

The post How and Why to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month: October 2023 appeared first on The Arc.

Tayone Miller is a full-time Computer Analyst with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), bringing nearly a decade of experience in developing, managing, and improving information technology. It’s a career he’s always dreamed of. “Technology helps people throughout their lives,” he shares. “I wanted a career that would be everlasting, and Computer Information Systems (CIS) was […]

The post Tayone’s Struggle to Find Employers Who See Past His Disability appeared first on The Arc.

Washington, DC – The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program was designed to combat poverty among people with disabilities, but the program’s outdated rules do just the opposite—forcing people to live in poverty to qualify for monthly assistance. Today, The Arc celebrates the introduction of the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), […]

The post New Bipartisan Bill Would Advance Economic Security for Disabled Americans appeared first on The Arc.

San Antonio, Texas – Today, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas began the first day of trial in a case challenging S.B. 1, a Texas law that targets voting access. The case is comprised of five lawsuits, including Houston Area Urban League v. Abbott which was filed in 2021 by […]

The post Federal Court in Texas Hears Lawsuit Challenging S.B. 1, State Law Targeting Voting Rights appeared first on The Arc.

People with disabilities want to live in their own communities and make their own choices about their lives, just like everyone else. For millions, direct support professionals (DSPs) like Betty Davis make that independence possible. Betty has always had the innate ability to create a safe space for disabled people. As a child, she would […]

The post DSP Recognition Week: Betty Davis’ Story appeared first on The Arc.

States are aggressively evaluating their Medicaid enrollments following the end of the public health emergency, and many are losing coverage. Here’s everything you need to know about the unwinding and what to do if you are a Medicaid beneficiary – direct from Dr. Aditi Mallick, Acting Director of the CMS Office of Minority Health. Health […]

The post Medicaid Eligibility Renewals: A Message From CMS Office of Minority Health appeared first on The Arc.