A picture of Civitan International's logo (a cog with a C and a sphere inside)

Civitan International & The Arc Announce New Partnership to Advance Opportunities for People with Disabilities

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

BIRMINGHAM, AL & WASHINGTON, DC – May 27, 2025 – Civitan International and The Arc announced today a strategic partnership to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, and to connect those families to volunteer activities and resources.

Civitan International, a global network of service clubs dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, and The Arc, the largest national organization advocating for and serving people with IDD, are joining forces to expand community support, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities. This new partnership will focus on three core areas:

  • Volunteer Engagement: Civitan members will connect with local chapters of The Arc to build meaningful relationships and volunteer in programs that directly support people with disabilities and their families.
  • Shared Resources and Best Practices: The two organizations will collaborate to strengthen their programs by sharing tools, knowledge, and strategies that promote inclusion and empower people with disabilities.
  • Community Collaboration: Local Civitan clubs and chapters of The Arc will work together on projects and events that bring people together and create more inclusive communities.

Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States shared: “Too often, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left out—of community, of opportunity, of conversations about the future. This partnership is about changing that. When Civitan members show up in local communities and stand alongside people with disabilities, it sends a powerful message: you matter, and we’re in this together. The Arc is proud to join forces with an organization that’s not just talking about inclusion—they’ve been doing the work for generations.”

Mark Eisinger, Executive Vice President of Civitan International, added: “Civitan’s mission to serve is made even stronger through this partnership with The Arc. By combining our efforts, we can promote more inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities are not just accepted but celebrated for their unique contributions. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will benefit the millions of people with IDD and their families across the nation and beyond.”

To arrange an interview, please contact:
Civitan International – Public Relations Department
Phone: 205-591-8910
Email: pr@civitan.org

The Arc – Communications Department
Phone: 202-617-3271
Email: dilworth@thearc.org

# # #

About Civitan International: Founded in 1917, Civitan International is an organization of volunteer clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Civitan’s mission is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. To learn more, visit www.civitan.org.

About The Arc: The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. Founded in 1950 by parents who knew their disabled children deserved more, The Arc is now the largest grassroots organization for people with IDD with nearly 600 chapters in 47 states and Washington, DC. Together, we are promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities and supporting their inclusion throughout their lives—from education to employment to community living. There are approximately 7.4 million people with IDD in the United States, which encompasses over 100 different diagnoses. Visit www.thearc.org or follow us @TheArcUS to learn more. Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

A woman holding a sign that says "I am Medicaid. Don't cut me!" while standing in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC

The Arc Responds to House Passage of a Budget Proposal Targeting Medicaid and SNAP

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

Early this morning, the House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill that slashes Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), programs that millions of people with disabilities rely on to survive.

The Arc of the United States urges the Senate to reject the Medicaid and SNAP cuts in the House passed bill that includes the following policies:

  • $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid that threaten access to health care and essential services. These cuts will impact all people covered by the Medicaid program, including people with disabilities, children, and older adults.
  • Combined with restrictions on Affordable Care Act marketplaces and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, these policies could result in 13.7 million people losing health insurance.
  • New administrative barriers that require people with coverage through Medicaid expansion will have to renew their eligibility two times a year, instead of once, which will increase the risk that people with disabilities will incorrectly lose coverage.
  • $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, a nearly 30% reduction is the largest cut in the program’s history to critical food assistance.
  • New strict work requirements that are designed to reduce enrollment. Nearly 70% of Medicaid beneficiaries are working. A last-minute change to the bill speeds up the implementation of the work requirements.

Many people with disabilities are exempt from the work requirements. However, when states implemented this approach in the past, the exemptions did not protect people. In practice, the screening process and other outreach and access failures left many people with disabilities without an exemption and locked out of Medicaid coverage.

The work requirements also hurt caregivers, who may not bring home a paycheck but perform critical jobs at home. Combined with massive cuts to Medicaid that threaten access to service, life will be harder for many families.

For people who are working, the system can also fail. Paperwork gets lost. Documentation rules vary by state. Systems become overwhelmed. People fall through the cracks—not because they don’t qualify, but because the system is designed to push them out. We’ve seen this play out in Arkansas.

Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States, said:
“For millions of people with disabilities, Medicaid and SNAP aren’t just safety nets—they’re survival.

New administrative barriers aren’t about stopping waste, fraud, and abuse. They are about denying access to essential health care to as many people as possible. Families will skip check-ups, critical surgeries, and medications. Parents will go hungry so their kids don’t have to. People will be forced to choose between paying rent or seeing a doctor. This is the brutal reality for the millions who will lose health coverage and food assistance under this plan.

The combined effect of the historic $715 billion in cuts to federal Medicaid spending and the cost-shifting to states in SNAP will set up chaos at the state level. States will be forced to quickly stand up costly and burdensome systems to abide by the work requirements. Limits to how states fund their share of the Medicaid program will make few resources available to address the coverage losses in their states. States may be forced to reduce services or eligibility to make up the difference.

These cuts are devastating. And we won’t be silent while our community is pushed past the brink.”

Next, the Senate must take up the bill. The Arc urges Congress to reject this proposal and protect Medicaid and SNAP. These programs are not optional. They are how people with disabilities live in their homes, care for their families, and survive each day.

The Arc will continue to educate every Member of Congress on the life-and-death consequences of these cuts—and the need to protect Medicaid and SNAP.

A white man in a wheelchair on the sidewalk smiling while facing the camera

Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month

/in /by The Arc

Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities. It affirms that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity—not a deficit or condition to be fixed.

More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States—over 70 million people—have a disability. This month calls on everyone to promote inclusion and ensure people with disabilities are accepted exactly as they are, without conditions.

What Is Disability Pride Month?

Disability Pride Month is an annual observance in July that celebrates people with disabilities, commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and promotes disability culture and visibility.

Observed every July, Disability Pride Month recognizes the importance of the ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It highlights disability culture, history, and community pride. This month challenges the harmful idea that people with disabilities need to conform to norms to live meaningful lives. Their lives are just as full, valuable, and worthy of respect—no more, no less.

The first Disability Pride celebration was a Disability Pride Day that took place in Boston in 1990. Chicago hosted the first Disability Pride Parade in 2004. Now there are events nationwide empowering people with disabilities to take pride in who they are.

Here’s more about the history of Disability Pride Month and the story behind the flag.

2025 Theme: “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay”

The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates selected the 2025 Disability Pride Month theme: We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay. It delivers a powerful message—people with disabilities are a vital part of every community. Not someday. Not conditionally. Now.

As disability rights face growing threats in education, employment, health care, and public life, this year’s theme is a clear call to action. It pushes back against ableism—discrimination and bias against people with disabilities—and exclusion. It reminds us that people with disabilities will not be erased, ignored, or pushed aside.

Why Celebrate Disability Pride Month?

Many people with disabilities still face barriers to being fully included and valued. Ableism is often ignored, but its effects are real. It limits access to education, jobs, health care, and respect.

Disability Pride Month challenges that. At its core, Disability Pride is about being accepted on our own terms. It says disability is not something to hide or fix—it’s part of who we are. Everyone deserves inclusion, rights, and respect, without having to earn them.

How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month

  • Ways to Connect With People With Disabilities: Spend time learning from people with disabilities in real life and online.
  • How to Learn Disability History and Culture: Understand the roots and richness of Disability Pride by diving into disability history, rights movements, and cultural contributions.
    • Learn about key moments in the disability rights movement from UC Berkley’s archive and The Arc’s history.
    • Learn from people with disabilities through media like Crip Camp, CODA, Demystifying Disability, and Disability Visibility.
    • Follow disabled activists on social media and listen to what they share—not just during Disability Pride Month, but year-round.
  • How to Advocate for Disability Rights and Inclusion: Disability rights are under attack—from cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, to threats against IDEA, Section 504, and a resurgence of the R-word. Here’s how you can show up and make a difference:

Share Your Disability Story

What are you proud of? What do you want other people to know? Share your videos, pictures, or written answers on your favorite social media platform using hashtags #DisabilityPride and #DisabilityPrideMonth. We want as many people to join the conversation as possible! See what The Arc’s community has to say by finding us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X/Twitter. All content shared by The Arc includes alt text and accessible captions. This reinforces our commitment to accessibility—we hope you will do it, too!

Attend a Disability Pride Month Event in Your Area

Meet and show your support for the local disability community by attending one of these events. This is the largest database for Disability Pride Month events there is!

If this page helped you learn more, share it to keep the conversation going.

If you have questions or events/resources we should add to this page, please email Jackie Dilworth at dilworth[at]thearc.org!

A row of parked school buses

Disability Organizations Condemn Inclusion of Voucher Bill in House Markup

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

Today, the House Ways & Means Committee will mark up a budget reconciliation bill that will include a $20 billion proposal diverting public funds to private schools via the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). While the bill includes new language about so-called “protections” for students with disabilities, it is insufficient in providing meaningful, enforceable protections for students with disabilities and their families. The National Center for Learning Disabilities, along with The Arc of the United States, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the Center for Learner Equity, are staunchly opposed to this bill.

Consider this math: ECCA is estimated to fund private school tuition for about 1 million children for $5 billion a year (averaging $5,000 per child). By contrast, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) currently serves 7.5 million children and receives $14.6 billion in federal funding a year, averaging less than $2,000 per child. This funding level is about 10% of the average per-pupil expenditures. Instead of fully funding IDEA, a promise Congress has never fulfilled, this Congress chooses to fund vouchers, which ultimately benefit the wealthy instead of investing in educating students with disabilities, the overwhelming majority of whom attend public schools.

Further, we reject the many ways in which students with disabilities would still be discriminated against, losing rights under IDEA if this bill passes. Under this proposal, parents may not be fully aware that if they take the voucher, they will jeopardize the rights of their children under IDEA, including:

  1. The right to be educated in the least restrictive environment, a critical protection to ensure students with disabilities are not segregated from their nondisabled peers.
  2. Parental rights, including dispute resolution and due process, an imperative for families to resolve disagreements and ensure educational access.
  3. Student behavioral protections, manifestation determination, essential because disability and behavior are linked and unmet needs can result in challenging behaviors.

The bill makes no mention of students’ protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act, which private religious schools are exempt from.

“The guarantee of rights and protections for students with disabilities using these vouchers is disingenuous at best and crooked at worst, without the other critical provisions of IDEA,” says Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “It is quite possible that families with disabilities will use a voucher under the pretense that their child will have the same rights when in fact they do not.”

“The rights to a free, appropriate public education for eligible students with disabilities remains even if federal and state funds are removed from the public education system. However, states will be extremely challenged to meet their obligation to these students if the ECCA becomes law,” says Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States. “Parents will have no choice but to sue their states to access the rights their children have been entitled to receive since 1975. And the parents of the 7.5 million children who receive special education services will prevail each and every time.”

“On the 50th anniversary of IDEA, now is the time for Congress to provide the funding it has failed to deliver over the decades for this landmark law. Instead, it is channeling public funds to private schools where there are no guarantees of protections for students with disabilities,” said Chad Rummel, Executive Director of the Council for Exceptional Children. “We call on Congress to rethink this strategy and prioritize public schools, which are designed to serve all children, and educate 90% of students nationwide each day, including 7.5 million children with disabilities.”

“The House proposal amounts to public dollars funding choice without rights. It misleads American families to believe their child with an individualized education program (IEP) will have access to both a federal education voucher and their IDEA protections when they enroll their child in a private or parochial school. But it does not,” stated Jennifer Coco, Interim Executive Director of the Center for Learner Equity. “The fine print of this proposal literally takes the ‘individualized’ out of IEP.”

Picture of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC

Historic Medicaid Cuts Are on the Table This Week. Here’s What People With Disabilities Need to Know.

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

Last night, staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee released their draft budget plan that outlines how they will cut Medicaid—and it’s moving fast. The committee will debate it this week.

Let’s be clear: This proposal threatens the health and independence of millions of people, including people with disabilities, children, older adults, and caregivers. If this bill becomes law, states will be forced to make impossible decisions that would gut essential services—and an estimated 13.7 million will lose coverage.

“People with disabilities will suffer if these proposals become law. It will mean people with disabilities ending up in emergency rooms instead of getting preventive care. It will mean people being forced to live in institutions or become homeless. It will mean caregivers unable to support their loved ones. It will mean states not having the tools they need to respond to local needs. Medicaid is not just a line item in a budget—it’s lifeline. We will not stop until members of Congress understand the harm these proposals will have on the people with disabilities,” said Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States.

What’s in the proposal?

Work requirements that put up red tape instead of support. These are cuts in disguise. Congress says they only apply to “able-bodied” adults. That vagueness puts people with disabilities and chronic conditions at risk. We’ve seen this before: Arkansas tried it, and thousands lost coverage—not because they didn’t work, but because they couldn’t navigate confusing rules.

Eligibility checks every six months instead of once a year. That might sound small, but it’s not. The health of millions of people will be impacted. When eligible people lose coverage due to red tape, they are more likely to end up in an emergency department due to complications from untreated chronic conditions. Red tape and paperwork will cause eligible people to lose coverage, including people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for health care, home care, and the support they need to live in their communities. This will also unnecessarily increase Medicaid administrative expenses for states, who will have to figure out how to pay for and administer checks, diverting funding away from beneficiaries.

Higher costs for people who can least afford it. The plan raises doctor visit co-pays for people just above the poverty line, around $15,650/year for a single person. Even small cost increases force people to skip care, delay treatment, and risk emergencies.

Big federal cuts passed off to states. This bill doesn’t just shift dollars—it shifts risk. States would be forced to redesign their entire Medicaid programs on the fly or cut services. Every state would face the same reality: fewer resources, more complexity, and less flexibility to meet people’s needs.

What’s next?

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is marking up the bill this week. If approved, the House of Representatives and the Senate would have to vote on it before it would go to the President for his signature.

The Arc has been fully focused on the fight against Medicaid cuts since they became apparent last fall—and we’ll keep fighting. We need every voice raised to stop this before it’s too late.

Ashley Glears, a person with cerebral palsy, pictured with her mom

People With Disabilities Reflect on Their Moms This Mother’s Day

/in , /by Jackie Dilworth

Moms—or the people who love us like moms—are often the ones who just get us. They keep life moving. They see potential where others see limits. And for people with disabilities, that love can take many forms: hands-on care, fierce advocacy, deep listening, and unshakable belief.

Some moms manage feeding tubes, therapy schedules, and school meetings—while also working, caregiving for others, and managing their own health. Others cheer their adult children on as they build careers, push for justice, and live life on their own terms.

There’s no one path. No single story. But what many moms share is the everyday power of showing up.

This Mother’s Day, we asked people with disabilities: What impact has your mom—or a mother figure—had on your life?

Here are six reflections on love, strength, and support.

Ashley Glears pictured with her Mom

Ashley and her mom

“When I was born with cerebral palsy, my mother didn’t panic. She prepared. She understood the meetings that would come. The assumptions. The coded language. The way people talk about disabled children in lowered tones, as if to soften the blow of a life they’ve already decided won’t go far. She didn’t wait for the world to believe in me. She built the foundation herself. She became a speech-language pathologist—not just to help me speak, but to ensure I would never be spoken for. She pulled together a support system—therapists, educators, and friends who worked with me after hours, without compensation, because we didn’t have time to wait for permission. She created access where there was none. She raised me to speak, to move, to lead—regardless of whether the system was ready for me. She is still doing the work. Still mentoring. Still reshaping how public schools serve children with disabilities. Still protecting futures—because she understands what’s at stake.”
— Ashley Glears lives in Maryland and has cerebral palsy with right hemiplegia

Chloe Rothschild pictured with her mom

Chloe and her mom

“My mom is always there for me. Over the years, she has taken me to hundreds—probably thousands—of appointments. She has helped advocate for the services and supports I’ve needed to succeed. She has attended numerous conferences, advocacy trips for board meetings, and other events with me over the past 10 years because she knows how important it is to me to participate in these events. My mom has helped encourage self-advocacy skills in me starting at a young age as she made sure that I was involved in my IEP meetings in some capacity starting at a young age. Even during the harder moments, my mom has always been there by my side. My mom is one of my biggest advocates and supporters.”
— Chloe Rothschild lives in Ohio and has autism

Russell Lehmann pictured with his mom

Russell and his mom

“I cannot overstate the impact my mom has had on my life. She has always taken the time to enter my world and meet me where I am, something society rarely does. Autistic individuals are often pressured to fit in so they don’t stand out, to avoid bullying, social rejection, and exclusion. But in doing so, we risk losing ourselves. My mom never let that happen to me. She loved me when it felt like no one else did. She held me, and still holds me, through meltdowns. She sits beside me when I feel lost in a world that doesn’t make sense. Most of all, she truly sees me. She validates my struggles and recognizes the immense effort I put in every day just to achieve what others take for granted. Because of her, I am who I am today. She nurtured within me the belief I so desperately needed as a child; the belief that led me to create my own career. Thank you, Mom. I love you so much.”
— Russell Lehmann lives in California and has autism, OCD, depression, and anxiety

Johanne Mayer pictured with her mom

Johanne and her mom

“My mom is my best friend and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am now if it wasn’t for her influence. She always encourages me to go after things I want and her expectations for me have never been lower than my sisters’. She has always made me feel like I’m capable of more than I know. I always try to reach for the stars because of her belief in me. She is the best light in my life.”
— Johanne Mayer lives in New Jersey and has Down syndrome

Sydney Badeau pictured with her mom

Sydney and her mom

“My mom has helped me grow over the years. Growing up, we spent a lot of time together, and she would frequently visit my schools if classes weren’t going well. She also attended all of my IEPs from kindergarten to senior year of high school. She made sure that I saw her advocating for me so that one day I could advocate for myself! She always puts others first and makes sure that everyone has everything they need to succeed.”
— Sydney Badeau lives in Wisconsin and has dyspraxia, a nonverbal learning disorder, and a sensory processing disorder

Sarvesh Chandran pictured with his mom

Sarvesh and his mom

“My mom is my biggest supporter. She believes in me and she gives me the confidence to believe in myself. My mom loves me unselfishly and she does her best every day to help me to live a happy and worry-free life. She encourages me to be brave and try new things. My mom advocates for me everywhere. I am very thankful for her. I feel safe and comfortable because of my mom.”
— Sarvesh Chandran lives in Arizona and has autism and severe apraxia

These stories remind us: the best relationships are built on respect—for each other’s journeys, struggles, growth, and dreams.

To the moms of people with disabilities: Thank you. For your tireless hearts, unwavering belief, and all the ways—loud and quiet—you lift up your children.

To the people who shared their stories: Your lives and leadership light the way, whether guided by a mom or forged on your own.

And to anyone for whom “mom” means something different: We honor your story, too. Not everyone has a mom—or a safe relationship with their mom. This day can be complicated. If that’s true for you, we see you. Love doesn’t always follow one path. Whether your “mom” is a friend, a relative, a caregiver, or chosen family—or whether you’re still figuring it out—we honor the people who show up, stand by you, and believe in your worth.