The Arc of the United States

It’s day 2 at #TheArcConvention! Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) make life in the community possible for people with disabilities. Experts from The Arc broke down the programs into easy-to-understand ideas. They talked about important changes that impact people with disabilities and highlighted the issues we're working on to make these programs work better for everyone. Check out our Medicaid resource page to learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/etYcnSNx Get ready to fight for disability rights with us in 2025!

🎉 Today, we kicked off our 2024 National Convention in Columbus, Ohio! Our opening session was about using emotional intelligence to make real change in our advocacy and community work. Dr. Hassan Abdulhaqq taught us how to decode nonverbal cues and unspoken needs in our communities, build trust, transform conflicts into opportunities, and more! Over the next few days, we’ll gain new insights into how to build a better future for people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. #TheArcConvention

A huge congratulations to Marty Ford, Senior Advisor at The Arc! She received the National Academy of Social Insurance prestigious Robert M. Ball Award. This major honor recognizes her 40-year legacy of shaping federal disability policy at The Arc. It also highlights her work as a leader of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities. Former Representative Earl Pomeroy spoke of Marty’s expertise, tenacity, and impact. Marty was not able to attend the event, so her longtime colleague, Julie Ward, accepted on her behalf. Marty's work has touched millions of lives—join us in celebrating Marty Ford!

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