Strategic Framework for the Future of The Arc

/in , , , , , , /by Pam Katz

What does true inclusion and equity look like for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

As we look to the future of disability rights, The Arc is excited to meet this question head on with our new Strategic Framework for the Future of The Arc.

This document is also available in plain language and Spanish.

This framework is intended to be a guiding light for our work across the local, state, and national levels. It is the result of an exhaustive, two-year process—culminating in the middle of a global pandemic and human rights reckoning that will shape our advocacy for years to come.

Now more than ever, The Arc must do its part to strategically build the disability rights movement into a more diverse and powerful force for change. We are proud to present our Strategic Framework for the Future of The Arc, which will guide us along this journey.

 

TIES Center

/in , , , , , , /by Pam Katz

TIES Center is the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies. It works with states, districts, and schools to support the movement of students with disabilities from less inclusive to more inclusive environments. They provide specialized resources on supporting students with disabilities who are participating in virtual learning.

Debunking the Myths of Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship

/in , , , , , , /by Pam Katz

Being able to make your own decisions about your own life is one of the most important rights that people have. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. However, their ability to make their own decisions is often questioned by teachers, doctors, family members, and others. Research has shown that individuals with reduced self-determination have diminished quality of life outcomes and are less likely to live and be integrated into their community. Guardianship can be an obstacle to the development of self-determination skills. However, people with IDD are at an increased risk of being placed under guardianship, and guardianship is frequently still the only option presented and utilized by families and supporters of people with IDD. This webinar will describe guardianship and less restrictive decision-making alternatives, as well as help debunk some of the myths about guardianship and supported decision-making that persist.

View the webinar’s slide deck here.

See a Q&A with links and resources here.

Speaker Bios:

Morgan Whitlatch
Morgan Whitlatch is the Legal Director of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, a non-profit advocacy organization that has advanced the interests of people with developmental disabilities since 2002. She is also the Lead Project Director of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making. Morgan has devoted her legal career to working with and on behalf of people with disabilities in matters involving capacity, guardianship and alternatives, and the right to self-determination; community integration; living free from abuse and neglect; and accessing public benefits and services. Prior to joining Quality Trust in 2009, Morgan was an attorney at Disability Rights Rhode Island, the state’s protection and advocacy program for people with disabilities. Morgan graduated with honors from Georgetown University Law Center, and with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from Wesleyan University.

Shawn Ullman
As Senior Director of National Initiatives, Shawn Ullman leads The Arc’s individual and family support initiatives, which seek to provide reliable information and assistance to people with I/DD, their family members, and the professionals who support them on topics such as navigating special education and disability services, healthy aging, housing, decision-making, financial planning, and healthy relationships. Prior to joining The Arc, Shawn was a staff attorney with Disability Rights DC, the protection and advocacy agency for the District of Columbia, for 11 years where she advocated for children and adults with developmental disabilities to obtain the services and supports they need to live, learn, and work in the community. Shawn received her bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University in 1997 and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.

Future Decisions

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

Everyone’s ability to make decisions changes across a lifetime, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

It is important to plan for these changes so that people with IDD are not inappropriately placed under guardianship when other options are available and so that their right to make their own decisions about their lives is respected. In this resource, learn how to plan for future decisions.

This document is also available in Spanish.

Guardianship Myths

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

Guardianship can make it harder for a person to learn how to make good decisions on their own.

There are many myths about guardianship that people with IDD and their families should understand.

This document is also available in Spanish.

Decision-Making Supports

/in , , , , /by Pam Katz

People with IDD have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. It is important to recognize and respect that right.

There are many options for supporting people with IDD to make decisions if needed. It is important that people and their families understand these options and make a plan that works best for that person.

In this resource, learn what supports are available to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities make decisions.

This document is also available in Spanish.

 

Know Your Rights as a Person With a Disability in the Criminal Justice System

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

People with disabilities have rights. Rights are a form of protection. They help people be treated fairly. People with disabilities have rights in the criminal justice system. This includes the right to equal access and the right to effective communication. This webinar helps people with I/DD understand and advocate for their rights in the criminal justice system. Our presenters cover the barriers within the justice system, explain two key rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and help identify available resources.

You can see the slides from this webinar here.

Panelists

  • Reginald Thomas, The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability
  • Dori Tempio, ABLE South Carolina

Moderator

  • Ariel Simms, The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability

For further questions, please email NCCJDinfo@thearc.org.

Criminal Justice 101

/in , , , , , /by Pam Katz

The criminal justice system is very confusing. It is not easy to understand. People with disabilities often get involved in the system. They can get involved as witnesses, victims, or suspects/defendants. A victim is someone who is hurt when a crime is committed. A suspect or defendant is someone who has been accused of a crime. Topics addressed on this webinar include explaining how one may get involved in the justice system, the stages within the justice system, and the roles of key players within the justice system.

You can view webinar slides here.

Presenters

Reginald Thomas, The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability

Ariel Simms, The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability

For further questions, please email NCCJDinfo@thearc.org.

Fulton v. City of Philadelphia

/in , , , , /by Pam Katz

State: Pennsylvania

Filed: August 20, 2020

Court: U.S. Supreme Court

Overview: Amicus brief in support of City of Philadelphia’s argument that government contractors are prohibited from discrimination. The brief argues that allowing government contractors to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation by asserting a religious justification for doing so would cause significant harm to people with disabilities and older adults, including those who are LGBTQ.

Excerpt: “Older adults and people with disabilities—including those who identify as LGBTQ—need non-discriminatory access to social services in order to live in the community with dignity and respect. These individuals are particularly reliant on services and supports from government contractors, which provide community-based programming, healthcare, meals, transportation, housing, and other resources…Should the Court rule otherwise, organizations providing important services to older adults and people with disabilities would be given free rein to refuse care, to disrupt services and supports, and to otherwise discriminate based on their religious views, causing severe physical, emotional, and psychological harm to disabled people and older adults.”

Case Documents

Amicus brief

In Re Xavier Blade

/in , , , /by Pam Katz

State: New York

Filed: August 17, 2020

Court: Supreme Court of the State of New York

Overview: The amicus brief focuses on the social science research discussing the ability of people with intellectual disability to parent, an area in which there has long been much discrimination.

Excerpt: “There is a solid body of social science establishing both that parents with intellectual disability can improve their parenting skills, and what kind of training and assistance works best for them. In addition, we have access to countless experiences of persons with intellectual disability and their children, which illustrate what it is like to parent with intellectual disability, or to be parented by a person with intellectual disability. These accounts make clear that persons with intellectual disability can parent when provided with appropriate supports.”

Case Documents

Amicus brief 

New York Supreme Court Opinion