The Arc of the United States’ Post

Susan has cerebral palsy—but there are many other things she says she would describe about herself before her disability. She is a dog lover, a chocoholic, and dreams of having her own home. She believes everyone deserves to live the life they choose. Just like everyone else, “People with disabilities should have the opportunities to explore their dreams, wants, and desires. We’re no different.” #UniquelyCP #WorldCerebralPalsyDay #WorldCPDay2024

Are you ready to vote? Michael shares three easy tips to make a voting plan. 1️⃣ Start by making sure you’re registered to vote: https://bit.ly/4eNZZcu 2️⃣ Decide how you will vote—in person, by mail, or voting early. 3️⃣ Check the rules where you live so you don't miss any deadlines. BONUS TIP: Voting in person? Plan out how you’ll get to the polling place and what identification you need to take with you. Every vote counts! #WeActWednesday #DisabilityVote #TheArcVotes

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and we want to clear up some common stereotypes about people with Down syndrome. ➡️ Swipe to learn what’s true and what’s not. If you learned something new, like this post! Think your friends would find it helpful? Share it ↗️ to spread the word! Thank you to the National Down Syndrome Society for these facts! #NationalDownSyndromeAwarenessMonth #DownSyndromeAwareness

Using intellectual disability as a pejorative isn't just wrong—it's a painful reminder of the discrimination people with disabilities face daily. When public figures mock disability, they're not just attacking political opponents—millions of people with disabilities and their families are hearing that they and their loved ones are devalued. People with disabilities deserve to be seen for their full humanity, their unique strengths, and their inherent dignity. It's time our language and actions reflect that fundamental truth.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Did you know that people with disabilities are at higher risk of experiencing mental health crises and suicidal thoughts? Melanie from The Arc of Arizona shares vital insights from our Mental Health First Aid training, part of our ongoing partnership with UnitedHealth Group. These skills save lives. Find a chapter of The Arc offering Mental Health Training near you: https://lnkd.in/exZ-AxwR #SuicidePreventionMonth

Imagine being on a waiting list for your entire life. Due to inadequate funding, hundreds of thousands of people across the country, like William, are stuck on Medicaid waiting lists and can’t get access to the services they need. Congress can and MUST do better. Help William and the hundreds and thousands of people stuck on waiting lists by taking a minute to act—send a message to Congress that #CareCantWait! https://bit.ly/4e1bKfk #WeActWednesday

1 in 4 Americans has a disability. They're our parents, caregivers, coworkers, siblings, friends, and neighbors. In this election season, their perspectives and questions matter more than ever. At The Arc, we're committed to fighting for the rights, inclusion, and full participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in every aspect of society.

Crucial New Research 📢 The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) just released a report on child care accessibility for families with disabilities. The Arc proudly contributed to this research, helping to shed light on a critical issue affecting millions. Key findings: 🔸2.2 million children under 5, and 3 million parents of young children have a reported disability 🔸Families face significant barriers in finding and maintaining appropriate child care, impacting work and overall well-being 🔸Child care providers struggle to meet families' needs due to staff shortages and funding constraints 🔸Many parents are unaware of available resources to support their search for inclusive child care This report provides vital data to inform policymakers as they work to improve child care access. We're particularly grateful that GAO created an Easy Read version, making the findings more accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While this report focused on early childhood, we acknowledge that families face ongoing challenges finding appropriate care throughout childhood. We continue to advocate for inclusive, accessible care options for children of all ages. Read the explainer blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g39cu9hx

Learning to drive is a big step for everyone, and it's no different for people with disabilities. Everyone has their own unique driving story. Some of us took lessons from patient parents, while others had hilarious mishaps with driving instructors. Julian’s experience is like so many of ours—he learned to drive as a teenager and is proud that he got his license. And just like many of us, he’s been caught speeding once or twice! 😉🚗 Read more stories from people with disabilities: https://lnkd.in/g82tmN-r