Meet Soojung and Alice

/in , , , , /by Pam Katz

Soojung’s daughter Alice was born with Rett syndrome and relies on Medicaid to get the care she needs to survive and thrive. Cuts to Medicaid would be devastating to their family and to millions of others.

Do Your Part: Engage With Your Members of Congress

/in , , /by Pam Katz

Sharing your point of view with your Members of Congress is an important part of our democracy. It’s their job to represent you and they want to hear from you! There are so many important issues at stake: affordable health care coverage, access to Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, paid family and medical leave, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, civil rights protections, and much more.

Do you tell your members of Congress what it takes to live an independent life in your community? Your members of Congress need to hear directly from their constituents on how these programs and laws make a difference and that they should be preserved, not cut.

Tip: Connect with your local chapter. You can find the one closest to you at thearc.org/find-a-chapter.

Reminder: You have three members of Congress: two Senators, who represent the entire state, and one representative in the House of Representatives. It’s your responsibility as a citizen and disability rights activist to connect with your members of Congress.

Find your Senator
Find your Representative

1. Pick up the Phone: The easiest way to tell your members of Congress how you feel about an issue, or ask their support or opposition for a bill, is to call their office.

2. Request a Meeting: In-person meetings are a very effective way to educate elected officials and/or their staff about The Arc and current issues. Contact your local chapter (find yours here) to find out if they have a meeting coming up. Often, your Senator or Representative will not be available. Request a meeting with a member of their staff. Staffers make recommendations and advise their Members of Congress regarding particular issues. Meeting with a staff member is worthwhile.

3. Attend a Town Hall: Showing up matters! Members of Congress often host town hall meetings to hear from constituents during Congressional recess. Find out if your members are hosting one at townhallproject.com, show up, and ask them where they stand on issues that are important to you.

4. Connect Online: Do you follow your members of Congress on Facebook and Twitter? Are they posting about topics that are important to you? Comment with your opinion or tag them in your posts.

Partnering With The Arc on Inclusive Volunteering Projects

/in , , /by Abe Rafi

Why Partner with The Arc?

Partnering with The Arc to offer or expand inclusive volunteer opportunities in your community brings you and your organization several benefits.

Inclusive volunteering opportunities help you and your organization connect with people with disabilities, their families, and dedicated professionals. With more than 650 chapters across the country, The Arc and its chapter network support more than 1 million people with IDD and their families each year. Our chapters offer services to people with IDD and their families across the lifespan to help them live, work, go to school, and participate in all aspects of their community. When you partner with chapters of The Arc, you and your employees can better connect with people with IDD and their families.

Offering inclusive volunteer opportunities helps you grow and further your brand. According to a 2013 Fleishman-Hillard Lepere Analytics study, consumers tend to view an organization as the sum total of everything the organization says and does—including giving back or supporting community projects. By developing and enhancing inclusive volunteer programs in your community, you and your organization will show your dedication not only to addressing local challenges but also to supporting social inclusion for people of all backgrounds and abilities. By partnering with The Arc to offer inclusive volunteer opportunities, you will gain a partner with over 60 years of experience supporting people with IDD and their families to meaningfully share their skills, times, and gifts with their community.

How Can I Partner With The Arc?

There are many ways you and your organization can partner with The Arc. Examples of partner volunteer activities include:

  • Building a community garden or sensory garden
  • Providing food assistance to people in need
  • Collecting and delivering supplies for a local shelter
  • Supporting a community event like a festival or fair
  • Volunteering at our Wings for Autism® and Wings for All® aviation rehearsal programs
  • Teaching people with disabilities how to increase their use of technology (e.g., computers, iPads, screens, and software)

For more questions on how you and your organization can partner with The Arc, contact The Arc at info@thearc.org.

Talk About Sexual Violence: Phase One Final Report

/in , , , , /by The Arc

Talk About Sexual Violence gives healthcare professionals the basic tools they need to have a simple, direct, and honest conversation about an all too common experience faced by women with IDD – sexual violence.

Talk About Sexual Violence: How to Have the Conversation With Female Survivors

/in , , /by The Arc

This video can be used in tandem with our charts and other training tools to discuss sexual violence and support women who have experienced it.

English Transcript   |   Spanish Transcript

 

Talk About Sexual Violence: Kecia Meets with Her Doctor

/in , , /by The Arc

This video can be used in tandem with our charts and other training tools to discuss sexual violence and support women who have experienced it.

 

English Transcript  |  Spanish Transcript

Talk About Sexual Violence: Phase One Training Tools

/in , , /by The Arc

These tools can be used in tandem with our videos “Kecia Meets with Her Doctor” and “How to Have the Conversation”  to discuss sexual violence and support women who have experienced it.


Guides

To prepare health care professionals and advocates for a conversation with women who have intellectual/developmental disabilities and have experienced sexual violence.

English  |  Spanish

 

PowerPoint Slides

To be used in presentations.

English  |  Spanish

 

Conversation Tips for Health Care Providers

Tips for advocacy groups and allies to facilitate conversations.

English  |  Spanish

 

Referral Cards Template

English  |  Spanish