WASHINGTON, DC – The Arc, the nation’s largest and oldest human rights organization for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, released the following statement from its CEO Peter V. Berns on the passage of the budget and debt ceiling deal in Washington.

“While we are glad that the immediate crisis has passed and Medicaid survived the first round of budget cuts in Washington, this fight is far from over. Now more than ever, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends and colleagues need to stand up and make their voices heard.

We must continue to press Congress to protect people with disabilities. The Medicaid lifeline, along with other programs that help ensure inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in society, are still at stake,” said Berns.