This document explores how advocates have used, and are beginning to use in new ways, the “integration mandate” of the Americans with Disabilities Act to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities to avoid unnecessary entanglement with the criminal justice system.

In 2019, The Arc, along with other local and national disability advocacy organizations filed three complaints with the West Virginia Department of Education alleging widespread failures by Kanawha County Schools (KCS) to educate children with disabilities, including autism, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health concerns, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Personal stories are one of the strongest advocacy tools we have – they educate, motivate and empower. Tools for Building Power Through Personal Stories includes tips for finding the right story for advocacy efforts, building a story bank, interviewing story tellers, sample materials and examples of stories in advocacy.

Watch Bryan share his story about the importance of Medicaid in his life.

Meet advocates Will, Katie, and Heather, who share why Social Security is crucial in their lives.