The Arc of the United States

Don't ghost your civic duty! 👻 Not voting is scarier than any creature you might encounter this Halloween. If you don’t vote, then you don’t get a say in what happens. With less than a week until Election Day, make sure you have the resources you need to make your vote count: https://lnkd.in/e9-Sudna #TheArcVotes #WeActWednesday

We know that policy change doesn’t just happen. It requires educating, communicating, and getting people ready to take action! 📣 Our National Council of Self-Advocates created a new guide to help you get started with advocacy, so you can make change for issues that matter to you. Use the guide to learn how to: 🔸Identify and connect with your members of Congress 🔸Share personal stories effectively 🔸Spread the word on social media This toolkit makes it easy for everyone to get involved in advocacy. Ready to create change? Get the free toolkit now! 👇 https://lnkd.in/eqymNrRv

Thanks to SEPHORA our CEO, Katy Neas, was up in Times Square last week to remind us about the power of our vote. Have you cast your ballot? Make sure you have a plan to vote! #TheArcVotes

Breaking barriers and making headlines—our CEO, Katy Neas, has been named to Forbes' prestigious 50 Over 50 list for 2024. This recognition elevates disability rights to the national stage. Katy was honored this week in New York City alongside other changemakers, including Melinda French Gates, Cindy McCain, Dawn Staley, and more. https://lnkd.in/ej3WeJ9M

Meet Marcus: A 23-year-old young man with Down syndrome who has a bright future and an even brighter personality. Marcus is a math whiz, loves cleaning and taking care of his family, and has volunteered in roles from shelf-stocking to landscaping. "I'm smart, I'm strong, I'm thoughtful and respectful,” Marcus shares. "I want to work so I can be independent and get my own apartment." But Marcus is struggling to find paid employment—and he’s not alone. "One big misconception is that I am not able to follow directions, learn, or be employable," Marcus says. His words cut to the heart of the challenges faced by many in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Marcus's story is a powerful reminder of the untapped potential within the IDD community. 👉 Read Marcus's full story on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eEFJW4cv #NationaDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #Inclusion #NDEAM

We're in a care crisis, and it’s getting worse every day. 🔸Over 650,000 people with disabilities are stuck on waiting lists and not getting the services they need. 🔸Direct care workers, who provide critical care, don't earn a living wage, which leads to critical gaps in care. 🔸Unpaid family caregivers are struggling to fill in the gaps in service. Many are forced to choose between their jobs and their loved ones. Contact Congress now to show your support for a much-needed investment in disability services. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Ykcdms #WeActWednesday #CareCantWait

Carson’s struggle to get hired reminds us how crucial it is for employers to be inclusive and accommodating. Embracing inclusion in the workplace can improve overall retention rates and increase morale. Employers, here are seven tips to help you start creating an inclusive workplace strategy: https://lnkd.in/eQM6_AFk #NDEAM #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth

Invisible disabilities are conditions that aren't immediately noticeable but can still significantly impact daily life. They include things like chronic pain, mental health conditions, learning differences, and more. About 10% of Americans live with an invisible disability, meaning it's more common to meet someone with an unseen disability than you might think! For those living with invisible disabilities, it can be hard to get the accommodation and support they need. Because their challenges aren’t always visible, their disabilities are sometimes misunderstood or not taken seriously. But just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. This week is #InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek—share this post to remind others that not all disabilities are visible and that inclusion matters.

Big win for voters with disabilities! 🎉 A federal judge has struck down parts of Texas Senate Bill 1, a law making it harder for people to vote. The law restricted ways people could cast their ballots and criminalized those who helped people with disabilities vote. Thanks to The Arc, The Arc of Texas, and our partners, this is now illegal in Texas. This paves the way for millions of people with disabilities to be heard and participate in our democracy! “This ruling marks a historic victory for voters with disabilities,” said Shira Wakschlag, our Senior Director of Legal Advocacy and General Counsel. “The judge’s ruling, influenced by powerful testimony from The Arc’s members, recognizes how [these voting measures] have erected barriers at every stage of the voting process for people with disabilities. The Arc celebrates this landmark decision and remains committed to defending the voting rights of people with disabilities in Texas and nationwide.” Check out our blog post to learn more: https://bit.ly/3YdCO4i

Tayone Miller is a full-time computer analyst with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). “Technology helps people throughout their lives,” he shares. “I wanted a career that would be everlasting, and computer information systems was the right fit for me.” Tayone was also born with cerebral palsy, which has caused him to have trouble with speech. He brings immense value to his workplace, but he has experienced countless barriers to getting where he is. Tayone says, “Many of the jobs I have applied for require at least three rounds of interviews. I always had difficulties passing the first stage due to my speech impairment. After having interviews with many prospective employers, I could tell by their responses and body language they were unwilling to hire a person with disabilities. [Because of this] I have not directly disclosed my disability on applications.” He’s not alone. Research shows that a shockingly low number of employees disclose their disability to their employer, likely for fear of discrimination. It took many rejections, but Tayone found an employer who saw him for his skills, not his disability. "I started working at CCPS as an intern, then I was promoted to a temporary computer analyst, and now I am a full-time computer analyst. I now manage various interns." Even though he deserves his job and excels at it, he has faced microaggressions, or subtle discrimination, in the workplace. He notes, “In the past, my co-workers displayed eye-rolling when I spoke or turned away from or avoided me altogether.” But Tayone ignored them because “I did not want to give them control over me. Disability representation in the workplace means that people with disabilities are seen, heard, and respected in their jobs. Furthermore, it promotes inclusion for all. Some advice I would give to people with disabilities who are struggling to pursue a career is to be persistent. Never give up on yourself. Build relationships with others in the field to mentor you.” This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we urge you to celebrate the diversity of disability, embrace and support employees like Tayone, and promote access to good jobs for all. #NDEAM