A smiling man with a disability sits in a power wheelchair indoors. He is wearing an orange polo shirt, gray pants, and black shoes. Shelves, electronics, and household items are visible in the room behind him.

When Social Security Mistakes Become a Burden: Chad’s SSI Story

/in /by The Arc

A smiling man with a disability sits in a power wheelchair indoors. He is wearing an orange polo shirt, gray pants, and black shoes. Shelves, electronics, and household items are visible in the room behind him.Chad is doing everything he can to follow the rules, but mistakes by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are putting his financial security at risk.

When Chad started a six‑month, part‑time internship, he immediately notified SSA that he was earning income. He knew his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment would go down while he was working. But that didn’t happen. SSA kept paying Chad his full SSI benefit.

Chad didn’t want this extra money. He knew it was wrong, and he knew what it could mean later. If SSA decides to collect the overpayment, he could face a large debt. Chad also worries about what will happen when his internship ends and he needs his SSI payments to return to their typical amount.

Chad keeps trying to fix the problem, but the overpayments continue.

He has spent hours on the phone with SSA, sometimes waiting several hours just to have a 10- to 15-minute conversation with someone. He has also reached out to other professionals for help, making sure his records are correct and that SSA knows about the mistake.

SSA has told Chad and the people helping him that it acknowledges the overpayments. Still, the extra payments keep coming each month. For Chad, the stress keeps growing as the months go on and he keeps trying to correct an error he did not cause.

SSI rules can make overpayments even harder to manage.

On top of everything, Chad also has to stay under SSI’s $2,000 asset limit to keep his SSI benefits. That means he has to be careful about how much money he has, even as SSA keeps sending him money that he knows he should not be receiving.

Chad is doing everything he can to avoid going over the limit.

What troubles Chad most is not just what’s happening to him. He also worries about what the system means for other people with disabilities.

He sees people being asked to prove themselves over and over again to keep the benefits they need to survive. He hears leaders talk about “fraud, waste, and abuse,” but his experience has shown him how difficult it can be to navigate the system even when someone is trying to follow the rules.

As Chad put it, “I just don’t understand how these perceptions can go through leaders of Congress… and then create these barriers so that people can’t do things to alleviate the necessity of these programs.”

The fear of losing benefits can make work feel risky.

Chad knows many people with disabilities want to work and do more. But complicated rules, reporting requirements, and the fear of losing benefits can make it feel dangerous to try.

“The stressful part of it is like, okay, I’ll just stay where I’m at because I don’t want to deal with this any more than I already am,” he said.

The system doesn’t just slow people down. It holds them in place, making it difficult for people to take steps toward greater financial independence.

Outdated Social Security systems add to the burden.

Chad also sees how SSA’s own challenges make things worse. Staffing cuts mean long waits and slow responses. As Chad explained, “It’s an administrative burden… they just don’t have the staff to keep up with these things anymore.”

He has also found that SSA’s website doesn’t let him do everything he needs to do. Some tasks still require sending a fax, which he sees as outdated, hard to access, and not secure. From Chad’s point of view, these problems have only gotten worse in recent years.

Removing the SSI asset limit could give people more financial security.

Chad often thinks about how different his life would be if the asset limit were removed. He could save money without fear. He could take on more work without risking his healthcare. He could build a small safety net instead of living month to month.

Removing the SSI asset limit would give him room to breathe, plan, grow, and move forward without being punished for trying.

Chad’s story shows how Social Security’s errors, delays, and outdated systems shift the burden onto the very people the program is supposed to support. It shows why Social Security needs systems and rules that give people with disabilities, like Chad, the possibility to live with dignity, financial security, and hope.

A man with a disability wearing a suit and tie walks through an office hallway using forearm crutches while talking with a woman in a black dress. Both are smiling.

Competitive Integrated Employment: Why Inclusive Employment Is a Win for Everyone

/in /by The Arc

When we think about what a job gives us, a paycheck is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But a good job offers much more than money. It gives us purpose, routine, friendships, and a sense of pride.

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), competitive integrated employment provides these same opportunities. It allows people with disabilities to work in community settings alongside their non-disabled peers, gain new skills, and make meaningful connections.

Why Competitive Integrated Employment Matters

A job can provide more than a paycheck. For people with IDD, meaningful employment can help build skills, confidence, relationships, and greater independence.

Competitive integrated employment also means earning a fair wage. Workers with IDD should earn competitive wages at or above state or federal minimum wage standards and no less than the customary rate paid to their non-disabled colleagues. Earning a fair competitive wage gives people with IDD the financial independence to make more choices about their own lives—from paying rent to buying groceries to pursuing hobbies and building savings for the future.

For decades, many people with IDD have faced significant barriers to employment and financial independence. The Arc works to help change that by equipping local chapters to deliver inclusive employment programs. Meanwhile, our Federal Policy team actively advocates for legislation that would help people with disabilities develop career skills, earn reliable wages and benefits, gain greater financial independence, and participate fully in their communities through stable, accessible workplaces.

How Inclusive Employment Benefits Everyone

Inclusive hiring can benefit employers and employees alike. Workplaces can benefit from:

  • Stronger teams: Employers report benefits such as improved morale and collaboration.
  • New skills and perspectives: People with IDD bring different experiences, strengths, and ways of approaching their work.
  • Committed employees: Employers also report strong job loyalty among workers with IDD.

And people with IDD gain opportunities to build skills, grow in their careers, and contribute to their communities.

Celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of workers with disabilities and remind our communities of the power of inclusive workplaces.

This year, thanks to the generous support of The Coca-Cola Company, The Arc is launching a new one-year initiative, Employment Pathways for Individuals With IDD.

Building on the success of the NEON Project, this initiative aims to use evidence-informed employment strategies to connect people with IDD to meaningful, competitive employment opportunities while strengthening their workforce readiness. Through this initiative, participating chapters of The Arc will work with local businesses to identify and create employment opportunities that meet business’ needs and are a good fit for job seekers with IDD. Chapters will help pair job seekers with roles where they can excel and will provide the hands-on support needed to ensure long-term success and growth, while individuals build new skills and confidence as valued members of the workforce.

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional commitment. When people with IDD are given the chance to work, grow, and succeed, our entire community shines a little brighter.

A young girl with Down syndrome stands holding a bouquet of flowers in front of a colorful celebration backdrop with pink and gold balloons, metallic streamers, a horse mascot, and large gold “25” balloons. She wears a bright coral dress and poses with one hand on her hip.

Why the Department of Education Matters for Students With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

For families of students with disabilities, it can be challenging to make sure their children get the support they need at school. Parents may spend countless hours navigating evaluations, attending meetings, following up on services, and advocating for their children’s rights.

When a school doesn’t follow the law, families need a clear path to get help. The U.S. Department of Education has long played an important role in that process by helping to oversee federal laws and programs that protect the rights of students with disabilities.

  • The Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services distributes federal special education funding, provides guidance to states and schools, supports teacher training, funds research on effective instruction, and helps ensure students receive the services they are legally entitled to receive.
  • The Department’s Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination in schools, including disability discrimination involving accommodations, accessibility, harassment, restraint and seclusion, and discriminatory discipline.

Changes to how the federal government carries out this work could make it harder for families to know where to turn when they need help.

Families Rely on Special Education Protections

A young girl with Down syndrome stands holding a bouquet of flowers in front of a colorful celebration backdrop with pink and gold balloons, metallic streamers, a horse mascot, and large gold “25” balloons. She wears a bright coral dress and poses with one hand on her hip.Families like Betsy and Katie’s know firsthand how important federal protections are for students with disabilities. Both have spent years advocating for their children’s educational rights and making sure their children get the support they need to succeed in school.

Betsy’s daughter, Kayleigh, was blocked from attending her local public elementary school in kindergarten. After years of advocacy, Kayleigh is now thriving in general education with supports.

Betsy shared:

“Ever since our daughter was blocked from attending her local public elementary school in kindergarten, we have fought hard for her access to education, with the essential backstop of the Department of Education. Now, she’s thriving in general education with supports. We can’t afford more barriers or more agencies to navigate.”

A family of seven poses together outdoors in a wooded area. Two adults stand with five boys of different ages, smiling at the camera. One boy wears glasses, and the group is dressed in sweaters, vests, and jeans.Katie is the parent of three children with disabilities who rely on special education services, accommodations, therapies, and supports to succeed in school. She knows how difficult it can be for families when schools don’t follow the law:

“My children have different disabilities and different needs, but each of them depends on the protections provided by federal disability laws. We have spent countless hours advocating for their educational rights, and we know how difficult it can be when schools do not follow the law. Families should not have to guess which federal agency is responsible for protecting their child’s rights.”

Like many parents, Katie has worked hard to ensure her children receive the services they need and are entitled to under the law.

“Every day a child goes without the supports they need is a day of learning that cannot be replaced. My children are students first, not patients or cases to be managed. Their education, civil rights, and futures belong in the Department of Education. Families need a system that makes it easier, not harder, to ensure their children receive a free and appropriate public education.”

Take Action To Help Protect a Promise

A young girl wearing a backpack climbs the steps of a yellow school bus. Another child is ahead of her, and the bus driver is seated at the front.Betsy and Katie’s stories remind us why strong federal protections matter. Special education is not about paperwork or bureaucracy. It’s about ensuring students with disabilities get the supports, opportunities, and protections they need to learn alongside their peers and reach their full potential. And families need a clear path to get help when those rights are not respected.

Take Action Today: Tell Congress to oppose moving special education and civil rights offices out of the Department of Education and protect the supports that students and families rely on every day.

 

man with a disabilities shops for fresh produce in a grocery store, holding leafy greens in one hand and a plastic produce bag in the other. Text in the lower left reads, “What do Medicaid and SNAP cuts look like in real life?”

Medicaid and SNAP Cuts: What’s Happening and What You Can Do

/in , /by The Arc

Recent changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are affecting people in very real ways. For many people with disabilities and their families, these changes can impact access to food, health coverage, and the supports and services they need to live and work in their communities.

At The Arc, we are hearing from people across the country who are losing benefits, facing confusing paperwork, and struggling to get answers when something goes wrong.

For people with disabilities, the biggest risk is not always that they no longer qualify for benefits. The risk can also come from missed notices, paperwork problems, reporting requirements, or conflicting information from an overwhelmed system.

The stories below show what that can look like in real life.

Diane’s Story: When Paperwork Problems Put Medicaid at Risk

Diane’s family is one of those feeling the weight of these changes.

Her son Jonathon has cerebral palsy, a lifelong disability caused by a lack of oxygen at birth. He also has an intellectual disability, a history of seizures, and anxiety. When Jonathon was born, doctors told his family he might never walk or talk.

For years, Medicaid and waiver services helped Jonathon get the support he needs to work and live in his community. Those services included speech, physical, and occupational therapy, as well as behavioral support that helped him succeed.

Then he suddenly lost Medicaid coverage.

Over the last 18 months, Diane has faced repeated paperwork requests, billing errors, clerical mistakes, conflicting information, and long delays. When she contacted Medicaid, she was given different explanations for why her son lost Medicaid. They told her Jonathon earned too much money. They told her his disability was not severe enough. She even received paperwork stating that his cerebral palsy lasted only “from birth to age 5.”

But cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability.

“The communication has been poor, and every time I call or go into the office, I am told different things,” Diane said. “Young adults who require support but want to work are being denied their supportive services that allow them to be successful.”

She worries that without continued support, her son could lose the services that help him remain independent and employed.

Stacy’s Story: Losing SNAP Means Struggling to Afford Food

Stacy is autistic, has ADHD, and lives with serious mental illness. She recently lost her SNAP food benefits because she was considered “able-bodied” and not working. She is applying for disability benefits, but that process takes time.

Now, Stacy relies on her elderly parents to help cover the cost of food. She wants people to understand what losing food assistance really means.

“Taking away our food is the last thing that should be done. We literally cannot survive without it. Please don’t make things even more difficult for the people who need help the most.”

Nancy’s Story: Losing Medicaid Makes Healthcare Harder to Afford

Nancy shared the story of her grandson, who is 21 years old and lives with a difficult-to-control seizure disorder.

He works three part-time jobs, but many jobs are not safe for him because of his seizures. Last year, he lost access to Medicaid.

Now, his family struggles to make up the difference. His seizure medication costs more than $400 per month, and specialist care, lab work, and testing can be expensive.

“Family helps out as much as possible,” Nancy said. “But losing Medicaid has put a tremendous strain on my grandson.”

What These Stories Show

These stories remind us that even if people with disabilities may be protected by certain rules on paper, they can still be harmed by paperwork problems, delays, confusion, and coverage losses.

And Medicaid and SNAP changes don’t just affect the people who receive these benefits. Families, caregivers, service providers, and communities can also feel the effects when people lose access to food, healthcare, and other supports.

What You Can Do Right Now

Changes to Medicaid and SNAP may look different in each state and happen at different times. If you or a family member receives Medicaid, SNAP, or other benefits, here are some steps you can take to stay informed and prepared:

  • Make sure your address, phone number, and email are up to date.
  • Watch for letters, emails, texts, or notices from your state Medicaid or SNAP office. Open them right away and respond as quickly as you can.
  • Keep copies of important forms and paperwork.
  • Ask for help if you receive a notice that you do not understand.
  • Stay connected with your local chapter of The Arc to learn about changes in your community that may affect you.

Help Protect Medicaid and SNAP

The Arc is working to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that people with disabilities and families rely on. Your story can help policymakers and community leaders understand how these programs affect people’s lives and why they matter.

Visit TheArc.org/Action to share your story and find ways to take action.

Picture of the front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, DC

St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy: What the Supreme Court Case Could Mean for Students With Disabilities

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

A U.S. Supreme Court case about whether religious schools in Colorado’s publicly funded universal preschool program may exclude LGBTQ+ students or families could also affect how courts understand disability rights in education.

In St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, Catholic schools argue that Colorado is treating them unfairly by requiring them to follow nondiscrimination rules protecting LGBTQ+ students and families while allowing special consideration for children with disabilities who need specific preschool placements. The schools point to that disability policy as part of their First Amendment challenge.

The Arc joined an amicus brief in this case because the schools’ disability argument could affect how courts understand accommodations, equal access, and other disability protections. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on November 3, 2026.

What Is St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy?

St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy is a Supreme Court case involving religious freedom, LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections, and Colorado’s universal preschool program.

Colorado allows public, private, and religious preschools to participate in the publicly funded program. Participating schools must follow nondiscrimination requirements protecting children and families based on characteristics including race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and income.

Catholic schools challenged requirements protecting LGBTQ students and families, arguing that they conflict with their religious beliefs. As part of their case, the schools point to Colorado’s separate policy for children with IEPs as evidence that the state allows special consideration for some groups while denying an exception based on religion.

That disability argument is what brings a broader disability rights question into the case. Disability rights organizations, including The Arc, disagree with that comparison, arguing that the IEP policy exists to give children with disabilities equal access to the state’s preschool program.

Why Is St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy Before the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court agreed to hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy to decide how the First Amendment’s protection of religious exercise applies when a government program allows some exceptions or preferences but denies one requested for religious reasons.

The Catholic schools involved in the case sued Colorado in 2023. A federal district court rejected the First Amendment challenge that is now before the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld that ruling in 2025. The schools appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case in April 2026.

Colorado’s policy for children with IEPs is one of the policies the schools cite to support their argument, bringing disability rights into the case.

When Will the Supreme Court Hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy?

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy on November 3, 2026. A decision is expected by summer 2027.

The Arc will be watching how the justices discuss Colorado’s policy for children with IEPs and disability-specific supports. This article will be updated after oral arguments and when the Court issues its decision.

How Are Students With Disabilities Involved in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy?

Students with disabilities are involved because the Catholic schools use Colorado’s IEP placement policy as part of their First Amendment argument. They contend that if Colorado makes special allowances for disability-related placement needs, its nondiscrimination requirements aren’t applied uniformly enough to deny an exception requested for religious reasons.

Disability rights organizations dispute that comparison. Colorado’s IEP policy addresses barriers children with disabilities face in accessing preschool and helps the state meet existing obligations under disability law.

What Is Colorado’s IEP Preference in Its Universal Preschool Program?

Colorado’s IEP preference helps match preschoolers with disabilities to programs that can provide the special education and related services required by their Individualized Education Programs.

Participating preschools can reserve placements for children with IEPs when needed to ensure they receive required services. Without that consideration, a child could be placed in a program that can’t provide the supports they need to participate.

Children with IEPs accounted for about 13.5% of four-year-olds served by Colorado’s universal preschool program in each of its first two years.

Do Accommodations for Students With Disabilities Discriminate Against Other Students?

Disability accommodations give students with disabilities access to educational opportunities that may otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Disability laws recognize that students with disabilities may need accommodations or services that other students don’t. A student who uses a wheelchair may need a lift to board a school bus that other students can enter using stairs. Another student may need assistive technology, specialized instruction, or related services.

Providing those supports allows students with disabilities to access the same educational opportunities as their peers. That’s why disability rights organizations reject the argument that Colorado’s IEP policy discriminates against children without disabilities.

Could St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy Affect IDEA and Disability Rights?

The Supreme Court isn’t deciding whether IDEA, Section 504, the ADA, or disability accommodations are constitutional. The concern is how the Court characterizes Colorado’s IEP policy and the reasoning it uses to decide the case.

If the Court characterizes disability-specific services or preferences as unequal treatment of people without disabilities, future litigants could try to use that reasoning to challenge other disability protections.

That matters because disability rights laws often require accommodations, modifications, or services so people with disabilities have equal access. Treating those measures as preferential treatment would misunderstand a basic principle of disability law.

Why Did The Arc Join the St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy Amicus Brief?

The Arc joined an amicus brief to help the Supreme Court understand why Colorado’s policy for children with IEPs is rooted in disability rights and special education law.

An amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief allows organizations that aren’t parties in a case to provide expertise that can help the Court understand its broader implications.

The brief, led by the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, explains that Colorado’s IEP policy helps the state meet its obligations to children with disabilities under IDEA and provide equal access to its universal preschool program.

The Arc has advocated for decades for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive the individualized services and supports they need to access education alongside their peers whenever possible.

Resources on St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy and Disability Rights

The Arc logo

Disability Groups Oppose DOJ Proposal to Remove Section 504 Integration Protections

/in , /by The Arc

The Arc of the United States and national disability rights organizations oppose the proposed resolution of Texas v. Kennedy, which would remove community integration provisions from HHS’s Section 504 regulations.

On August 31, 2026, the DOJ, on behalf of HHS, joined the remaining states in Texas v. Kennedy in asking a federal court to remove community integration provisions from HHS’s 2024 Section 504 regulations. The proposed resolution is the latest federal action pulling back from longstanding enforcement of the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in their communities.

The Arc of the United States helped develop the following joint statement with national disability rights organizations opposing the proposal. The proposed resolution wouldn’t overturn Olmstead v. L.C. or change the ADA or Section 504, but it would remove federal regulatory language that has helped put community integration protections into practice.

For legal documents, advocacy tools, media coverage, and ongoing updates, visit our DOJ Olmstead Enforcement resource hub.

Why Are Disability Rights Organizations Opposing the DOJ’s Texas v. Kennedy Proposal?

On August 31, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with Texas, Florida and Alaska filed a proposed resolution of Texas v. Kennedy.  These states challenged the HHS 2024 regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of federal funds. The lawsuit focuses on the regulations’ provisions regarding community integration for people with disabilities. The resolution asks the court to enter an order vacating references to community integration throughout the Section 504 regulations, including the entirety of the integration provision. The resolution does not impact other portions of the 2024 HHS Section 504 Rule.

We strongly and unequivocally condemn the actions of DOJ and HHS.  This resolution continues the federal government’s abandonment of its duty to enforce the right of people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities. The resolution relies on the June 18, 2026 memo from the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel. That memo reflects the federal government’s reversal of its longstanding interpretation of the law and of its own authority. The federal government’s Section 504 regulations have included integration provisions since 1977.

To be clear, this resolution does not and cannot change longstanding legal precedent interpreting the requirements of Section 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Nor does it change the ADA or Section 504 themselves. Only Congress can change the law.

DOJ’s new interpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., the ADA, and Section 504 is simply wrong and inconsistent with 50 years of law. DOJ itself admits that its interpretation is “out of step” with the interpretation of the law by courts across the country.

The disability community opposes any effort to turn back the clock on disability rights and community integration or to strip disabled people of their dignity and autonomy. We join together against discrimination and segregation of people with disabilities.

This statement was created by The Arc of the United States, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Center for Public Representation, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, Justice in Aging, the National Health Law Program, and American Civil Liberties Union, with contributions by Alison Barkoff, Hirsh Health Law and Policy Associate Professor, George Washington University.

A man with disabilities stands indoors at a busy event space holding a sign that reads “I’M VOTING BECAUSE… it’s my voice!” The sign has The Arc logo in the top left and the hashtag #REVUP in the bottom right.

Fifth Circuit Ruling Puts Texas SB 1 Voting Barriers Back in Place for Voters With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Texas respond to a federal appeals court ruling that puts barriers to mail-in voting and voter assistance back in place for millions of Texans with disabilities.

On August 12, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dealt a major setback to voting rights for Texans with disabilities, reversing a lower court decision that had found several provisions of Texas Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1) violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The ruling means that barriers to mail-in voting and voter assistance will be in place for the November 2026 midterm elections, including burdensome identification requirements and restrictions affecting people who assist voters with disabilities. More than three million eligible Texas voters have a disability. For Texans with disabilities who rely on mail-in voting or voting assistance, this decision means greater obstacles to casting a ballot this November.

The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Texas have been involved in the legal challenge to S.B. 1 since the law was enacted in 2021. We brought the experiences of voters with disabilities and the people who assist them into court, documenting how voting restrictions can affect people’s ability to cast a ballot privately, independently, and with the assistance they need.

What Does the Fifth Circuit Ruling Mean for Voters With Disabilities?

The ruling means Texas voters with disabilities again face two major barriers challenged by The Arc and its legal partners: an identification-matching system for voting by mail and restrictions on people who provide voting assistance.

To vote by mail, a voter must provide an identification or Social Security number that matches the number in the state’s voter registration records. Voters with disabilities testified about rejected mail-ballot applications, difficulty completing the identification requirement, and inaccessible systems for correcting ballot problems.

S.B. 1 also requires people assisting voters to take an oath and imposes restrictions on the assistance they can provide. Members of The Arc of Texas testified that the threat of criminal consequences made some assistors reluctant to help, leaving voters with disabilities to choose between voting with less assistance than they needed or potentially not voting at all.

The lower court had blocked these provisions under the ADA and Section 504. The Fifth Circuit rejected most of the claims on standing grounds and one on the merits, rather than concluding that the barriers voters described never occurred.

Read the stories of Texas voters with disabilities who testified about the impact of S.B. 1.

“This decision is a huge setback for Texans with disabilities, making it harder for them to vote on issues that impact their daily lives,” said Shira Wakschlag, Senior Executive Officer of Legal Advocacy and General Counsel at The Arc of the United States. “Ample evidence was presented in the trial from The Arc’s members—voters with disabilities and their assistors—that S.B. 1 blocked their voices and stripped them of their fundamental right to participate in our democracy. Even when voters with disabilities managed to cast a ballot, they faced significant barriers that violate federal law. The Arc will continue to fight in every legal avenue to ensure that voters with disabilities have equal access to the ballot box, free from unnecessary hardship.”

“The Arc of Texas is disappointed by the Fifth Circuit ruling in our challenge to Texas voting restrictions that create barriers for voters with disabilities,” said Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy at The Arc of Texas. “This decision is a setback for Texans with disabilities and for ensuring they have equal access to the democratic process. We remain proud of the work done by our legal partners and advocates to challenge these barriers and stand alongside Texans with disabilities. We will continue to fight for a Texas where every voter can participate safely, independently, and without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.”

The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Texas worked on the S.B. 1 case alongside legal and civil rights partners including the Legal Defense Fund, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and ArentFox Schiff. The ACLU Voting Rights Project, which challenged the law in companion litigation, also condemned the Fifth Circuit ruling.

Read the full joint press release from the Legal Defense Fund.

How Has Texas S.B. 1 Affected Voters With Disabilities?

Since S.B. 1 took effect, Texans with disabilities have testified about rejected mail-ballot applications, inaccessible systems for correcting ballot problems, and difficulty getting the assistance they need to vote. For some voters, those barriers have meant trying to vote without needed assistance, attempting to vote in person instead, or risking being unable to vote at all.

In 2021, just after S.B. 1 was passed, the Legal Defense Fund, The Arc of the United States, Reed Smith, and, later, ArentFox Schiff filed a lawsuit on behalf of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Houston Area Urban League, The Arc of Texas, and an individual election judge challenging multiple provisions of the law.

Our challenge focused on two sets of restrictions with direct consequences for voters with disabilities: identification requirements for voting by mail and restrictions on voting assistance. Other plaintiffs challenged additional provisions of S.B. 1, including restrictions affecting early voting, drive-thru voting, mail-ballot drop-off locations, distribution of mail-ballot applications, and poll watchers.

In March 2025, a federal district court found that provisions of S.B. 1 violated the ADA and Section 504 and blocked their enforcement. The August 12, 2026 Fifth Circuit ruling reversed that decision.

Learn more about The Arc of the United States’ involvement in the Texas S.B. 1 case and our work to protect voting rights for people with disabilities.

The right to vote includes the right to access the voting process without discrimination. The Arc will continue pursuing every available legal avenue to protect equal voting access for people with disabilities in Texas and across the country.

About The Arc of the United States

The Arc of the United States is the nation’s largest community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. With a network of chapters across the country, The Arc works to protect disability rights and advance full inclusion throughout community life.

A little boy wearing a pink shirt and sandals sitting on a wooden walkway

HHS Head Start Rollback Threatens Disability Inclusion and Protections

/in /by Jackie Dilworth

Updated August 17, 2026

The Arc is opposing proposed changes to Head Start standards that could weaken inclusion and support for children with disabilities and their families.

For generations, Head Start has helped families access early learning, developmental supports, health services, and other resources during some of the most important years of a child’s life. For children with disabilities, Head Start has played an especially important role. Its federal performance standards help turn the promise of inclusion into everyday practice by setting expectations for how programs identify developmental concerns, connect children to services, support families, and include children with disabilities in the full Head Start experience.

Now, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is proposing sweeping changes to those standards. The proposed rule, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs, would eliminate or scale back many detailed federal requirements and give states and local programs more discretion over how Head Start services are delivered.

Head Start’s performance standards give programs specific responsibilities for supporting children with disabilities and give families expectations about what Head Start should provide. Without them, more could depend on what a local program knows about disability, what resources it has, and how successfully a family can navigate complicated education and disability systems.

How Could the Head Start Changes Affect Children With Disabilities?

The proposed changes would remove several federal requirements that help children with disabilities participate in and benefit from Head Start.

Programs would no longer be required to:

  • Provide developmental assessments to every child.
  • Make accommodations so children with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of the Head Start program.
  • Follow the current directive that children can’t be turned away because of a disability or chronic health condition.
  • Follow federal guardrails on temporary suspensions or the current prohibition on expulsion.
  • Support parents as they navigate the IEP process.

Federal disability laws would still apply, but the proposed rule changes how Head Start programs would be required to put those laws into practice. Current performance standards require Head Start programs and school districts to spell out who will evaluate a child for IDEA eligibility, how services will be delivered in the Head Start program, and how the agencies involved will work together. Without those requirements, programs may still have the same legal obligations, but families could have less certainty about how those rights will actually be carried out for their child.

Why Do Head Start Performance Standards Matter for Children With Disabilities?

Head Start’s commitment to disability inclusion goes back decades. A decade before children with disabilities won the federal right to a free appropriate public education, Head Start was already including young children with disabilities alongside their nondisabled peers.

In a new op-ed, Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States, explains why the details in Head Start’s performance standards are essential to making that commitment work. They helped establish an expectation that children with disabilities belong in early learning programs and should have access to the supports they need to participate. Katy warns that weakening those standards could undo some of that progress by making the quality of a child’s Head Start experience depend more heavily on local resources and how much support a family can find on its own.

Read Katy Neas’ op-ed in The 74: “Head Start Was Built to Include Children With Disabilities. Don’t Weaken It.”

Why Are Disability and Civil Rights Groups Opposing the Head Start Proposal?

The Arc of the United States has joined leading civil rights and disability organizations in calling on the administration to withdraw the proposed rule.

The coalition warns that eliminating Head Start’s federal standards could particularly harm children with disabilities and other children who already face barriers to early learning.

As the organizations wrote in the joint statement:

“These quality standards are the hallmark of the Head Start program that ensure every child receives an early education and services that promote healthy child development. Without them, Head Start will exist in name only, offering unequal services based on where the child lives. If finalized, these changes would mean that a child could be turned away from Head Start because of a disability or because a child is struggling. The proposal would also make it more difficult for families experiencing homelessness to enroll, and would remove prohibitions on corporal punishment, seclusion, and expulsion. This proposed rule would fundamentally alter Head Start and break the promise that America has made good on for decades to offer the children born furthest from opportunity with the best our country has to offer in early childhood education.”

The joint statement was signed by:

  • Children’s Defense Fund
  • EdTrust
  • Legal Defense Fund
  • NAACP
  • National Center for Learning Disabilities
  • National Urban League
  • The Arc
  • UnidosUS

Read the full joint statement.

How Can I Comment on the Proposed Head Start Changes?

HHS is accepting public comments on the proposed Head Start changes through October 6, 2026. We urge people with disabilities, families, educators, Head Start staff, advocates, and anyone who cares about inclusive early childhood education to weigh in and share why strong Head Start standards are worth protecting.

Submit a public comment by October 6, 2026.

Children with disabilities belong in early learning programs alongside their nondisabled peers. Head Start has helped make that possible for decades. Its standards should continue to protect quality, accountability, and meaningful inclusion for children with disabilities and their families.

A picture of a white tow truck carrying a red SUV against an orange and yellow background

Donate Your Car to Charity and Support Disability Rights

/in /by The Arc

Have a car you keep meaning to get rid of? When you donate your car to charity, you can skip the hassle of selling it, schedule free pickup, and support a cause that matters.

Through The Arc’s vehicle donation program, you can donate a car, truck, RV, boat, motorcycle, or other vehicle to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Most vehicles are considered, running or not.

That vehicle may not be getting you where you need to go anymore. But it can still help protect disability rights, strengthen family support, and create more opportunities for people with disabilities across the country.

Donate Your Vehicle Today

What does donating my car to The Arc support?

Many nonprofits accept vehicle donations. What makes The Arc different is what your donation helps protect.

The Arc is the nation’s largest community-based organization advocating for and supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and other diagnoses. Through national advocacy and a nationwide network of chapters of The Arc, we support people with disabilities and their families at school, at work, at home, and in the community.

Your donated vehicle can help fund work that people with disabilities and families rely on every day, including:

  • Advocacy that protects disability rights
  • Resources for families navigating school, services, and support systems
  • Programs that support community living, travel, technology, future planning, and education
  • Outreach that helps decision-makers, including appointed and elected officials, understand what people with disabilities and families need

A vehicle that’s no longer useful to you can help protect rights, strengthen support, and create more opportunities for someone else.

How does vehicle donation work?

Donating your vehicle to The Arc is designed to be simple.

  1. Start online or by phone. Fill out the short vehicle donation form or call 833-990-8-ARC (833-990-8272).
  2. Schedule free pickup. A tow company will pick up your vehicle at a time that works for you.
  3. Skip the hassle. You don’t have to handle the sale, repairs, advertising, or towing.
  4. Get documentation for your records. You’ll receive an initial donation receipt at pickup and additional tax documentation after the vehicle is sold.

The Arc partners with CARS, also known as Charitable Adult Rides & Services, to manage the donation process. CARS handles the pickup, sale, and paperwork so you don’t have to.

What types of vehicles can I donate?

All vehicles are considered. The Arc accepts many types of vehicle donations, including:

  • Cars, trucks, and vans
  • Motorcycles
  • RVs, campers, and trailers
  • Boats
  • Off-road vehicles
  • Some specialty, farm, and heavy equipment

Most vehicles are considered, running or not. In many cases, a car that no longer starts, has high mileage, needs repairs, or has not been used in years may still qualify.

If you aren’t sure whether your vehicle can be accepted, start the form or call the Vehicle Donation Support Team at 833-990-8-ARC (833-990-8272). They can help you understand the next step.

Is car donation pickup free?

Yes, vehicle pickup is free to donors. You don’t have to pay towing costs or drop the vehicle off yourself.

After you complete the donation form or call the support team, pickup will be scheduled at a convenient time. A licensed tow company will come to you and take the vehicle to be sold.

That means you can donate your car without dealing with repair costs, listing it for sale, negotiating with buyers, or arranging transportation.

Is donating a vehicle to charity tax-deductible?

Your vehicle donation may qualify for a tax deduction. Every tax situation is different, so it’s best to consult a tax advisor.

After your donated vehicle is sold, you’ll receive tax documentation for your records. If the vehicle sells for more than $500 and the required information has been provided, you may receive IRS Form 1098-C.

The Arc can’t give tax advice, but the Vehicle Donation Support Team can explain the documentation process.

What happens after I donate my vehicle?

After pickup, donated vehicles are usually sold through used-car markets, auctions, or other sale channels. The proceeds support The Arc’s advocacy and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

That means your vehicle can help protect rights, strengthen resources, and support people with disabilities to build good lives in the community.

It may have taken you to work, school, appointments, errands, and road trips. Now it can help people with disabilities and their families access support, opportunity, and a stronger future.

Ready to donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle?

If you have a vehicle you no longer need, donating it to The Arc is a big way to put it to work for disability rights.

You can start your vehicle donation online or call the Vehicle Donation Support Team at 833-990-8-ARC (833-990-8272).

Donate Your Vehicle Today

No towing fees or selling hassle. Most vehicles are considered, running or not. You can turn your unwanted vehicle into support for people with disabilities and families across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donating a Vehicle to The Arc

What is the easiest way to donate my car to charity?

The easiest way to donate your car to The Arc is to complete the online vehicle donation form or call 833-990-8272. The Vehicle Donation Support Team will help schedule a free pickup and explain the next steps.

Can I donate my car to The Arc if it doesn’t run, has high mileage, or needs repairs?

In many cases, yes. Most vehicles are considered, including cars that don’t run or have high mileage, mechanical issues, or repair needs. The support team can confirm whether your vehicle can be accepted.

Do I have to pay to tow my donated car?

No, towing is free for donors. A tow company will pick up your vehicle at a scheduled time, so you don’t have to pay towing costs or drop it off yourself.

How fast can my donated car be picked up?

In many cases, pickup can be scheduled during the initial call. In other cases, the Vehicle Donation Support Team will contact you within two to three business days to schedule a convenient pickup time.

What paperwork do I need to donate a car?

In most states, you’ll need the vehicle title. If you have questions about your title, registration, or vehicle condition, the Vehicle Donation Support Team can help you understand what is needed.

Do I need to notify the DMV after donating my car?

State requirements vary. In some states, you may need to notify your motor vehicle division or surrender license plates after the vehicle is picked up. The Vehicle Donation Support Team can explain the steps for your state.

Will I get a tax receipt for donating my car?

Yes, after your vehicle is picked up and sold, you will receive tax documentation for your records. Your donation may qualify for a tax deduction, but tax situations vary, so donors should consult a tax advisor.

Is free car donation pickup available in every state?

Yes, The Arc’s vehicle donation program offers free pickup in all 50 states. After you complete the donation form or call the Vehicle Donation Support Team, they can schedule a licensed tow company to pick up your vehicle at a convenient time.

Who operates The Arc’s vehicle donation program?

CARS, also known as Charitable Adult Rides & Services, operates The Arc’s vehicle donation program. CARS is a nonprofit organization that specializes in vehicle donation services for nonprofits and helps manage pickup, sale, paperwork, and charitable receipting.

How can I donate my vehicle to help people with disabilities?

You can donate your vehicle to The Arc to help support advocacy, programs, and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including work to protect disability rights, strengthen community supports, and help families navigate complex systems.

A Black person with a disability in a red shirt and wheelchair laughing and dancing with a Black direct support professional

What the Supreme Court’s Haitian TPS Ruling Means for Disability Services

/in /by Shira Wakschlag

On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the federal government to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and thousands of Syrians who have legally lived and worked in the United States. After weeks of short-term court extensions, TPS protections for Haitians ended on July 27.

For people with disabilities and their families, the effects could reach far beyond immigration policy.

Haitian immigrants are an important part of the nation’s care workforce, including the workers who support people with disabilities to live, work, and participate in their communities. Some disability service providers are now preparing to lose experienced staff at a time when they already face funding challenges to hire enough workers.

That makes the Supreme Court’s TPS ruling a disability services issue, too. Losing Haitian workers could disrupt services, deepen pressure on families, and make it harder for people with disabilities to get the support they need to live in their communities.

What Are Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot, and Why Do They Matter for People With Disabilities?

Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot involved the federal government’s decisions to end TPS for people from Syria and Haiti. The Supreme Court considered the cases together.

Congress created TPS in 1990 to allow people from countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or other dangerous conditions to temporarily live and work legally in the United States. Haiti received TPS after the devastating 2010 earthquake, and Syria was designated in 2012 during its civil war. Those protections were extended by multiple administrations as dangerous conditions continued.

The disability connection may not be obvious from the primary questions at issue in the case. But immigrants are a major part of the workforce providing long-term care to people with disabilities and older adults, and Haitian workers are particularly well represented in direct care jobs.

What Happened in Mullin v. Doe?

In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security moved to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. Haitian and Syrian TPS holders challenged those decisions in federal court, arguing that the government hadn’t followed the law. The Haitian plaintiffs also argued that racial discrimination influenced the decision. Lower courts blocked the TPS terminations. The federal government appealed, and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the cases.

What Did the U.S. Supreme Court Decide in Mullin v. Doe?

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the federal government, clearing the legal path for it to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

The majority held that federal law generally prevents courts from reviewing non-constitutional challenges to the government’s decision to end a country’s TPS designation. It also found that the Haitian plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on their claim that racial discrimination motivated the termination.

Justice Elena Kagan dissented, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson. She argued that courts should be able to review whether the government followed the procedures required by law and that the Haitian plaintiffs’ discrimination claim deserved further consideration.

The disability workforce connection appears in Justice Kagan’s dissent. One plaintiff, a Syrian TPS holder, works as a behavioral technician supporting people with disabilities. Losing TPS could force her to leave both her family and the people she supports.

What Happened to Haitian TPS After the Supreme Court Ruling?

The Supreme Court ruling didn’t itself terminate TPS. It removed the lower-court protections that had prevented the federal government’s termination from moving forward. Court orders temporarily kept TPS protections and work authorization in place while the case returned to the lower courts, with the latest extension running through July 27, 2026.

How Could Ending Haitian TPS Affect Disability Services and HCBS?

Immigrants make up 30% of the direct care workforce providing long-term services in the United States. Among immigrant direct care workers, 6% are from Haiti.

Haitian TPS holders also have a significant presence in care jobs. An estimated 13,000 work as nursing assistants and another 8,000 work as caregivers across the country.

These numbers show how deeply Haitian workers are woven into the care workforce at a time when disability providers already don’t have enough staff.

In 2025, 88% of community-based disability service providers surveyed by ANCOR reported moderate or severe staffing shortages. Nearly two-thirds had turned away people seeking services because they lacked enough workers.

Losing experienced staff in that environment can mean interrupted services, fewer available programs, more pressure on families, and greater risk of institutionalization when community-based supports aren’t available. It can also mean losing a worker who understands how someone communicates, what support works for them, and what matters in their daily life.

What Are Disability Service Providers Preparing for After the Haitian TPS Ruling?

For some disability service providers, the workforce impact is already becoming concrete.

Stanfort Perry, CEO of AHRC Nassau, a chapter of The Arc on Long Island, NY, wrote in The Washington Post that his agencies expect to lose 19 staff because of the Supreme Court’s Haitian TPS decision. In a field already struggling to recruit and retain enough workers, Perry warned that every staff member matters.

The Arc of Massachusetts is raising similar concerns. CEO Maura Sullivan told WCVB that families are worried about losing trusted workers who know their loved ones, understand how they communicate, and are familiar with the supports they need.

When an experienced worker leaves an already understaffed system, a person with a disability can lose continuity and a trusted relationship that may have taken years to build.

Why Is The Arc Concerned About the Disability Support Workforce?

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the ability to live in the community depends on having reliable services and enough skilled, experienced workers to provide them.

The Arc’s position statement on Long Term Supports and Services calls for a strong direct support workforce and policies that recruit, train, fairly compensate, and retain qualified workers. Community-based services depend on having enough workers to provide them.

Immigration policy didn’t create the direct support workforce crisis. Years of inadequate funding and low wages have made it difficult to recruit and retain workers. But losing experienced Haitian workers could deepen that crisis at a time when providers already don’t have enough staff to meet the need.

The Supreme Court’s Haitian TPS ruling shows how decisions that may not appear to be about disability can directly affect disability services. People with disabilities shouldn’t lose access to community-based support because the systems they rely on haven’t sustained the workforce needed to make those services possible.

Haitian TPS and Disability Services: Frequently Asked Questions

How could ending Haitian TPS affect people with disabilities?

Haitian workers are part of an already understaffed care workforce. Losing experienced workers could disrupt services, reduce available supports, and make it harder for people with disabilities to live and participate in their communities.

How many Haitian TPS holders work in caregiving and direct care?

An estimated 13,000 Haitian TPS holders work as nursing assistants and another 8,000 work as caregivers across the United States.

Could ending Haitian TPS increase the risk of institutionalization?

Yes. When there aren’t enough workers to provide home and community-based services, people with disabilities may have fewer options to get the support they need at home and face greater risk of institutionalization.

What could the Haitian TPS ruling mean for disability service providers?

Providers already struggling to hire and retain enough workers could lose experienced staff, making it harder to maintain programs, accept new people, and provide consistent community-based services.

Resources on Haitian TPS and Disability Services