Advocacy & Legal Rights

Grassroots Advocacy

The major focus of The Arc’s work is advocating for public policies that remove barriers and create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have meaningful lives in their community. But who's got the time to keep up with it all?

The Arc does. The Arc’s public policy staff is actively involved in federal legislation and regulations to make sure that policy makers understand how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, and service providers will be impacted. And we share this information with you to help make you a more effective advocate.

Collaborating to Succeed Statewide and Nationally

The Arc locally works in collaboration with The Arc of Texas and The Arc of the United States to support legislative advocacy.

Legislators often express the need to hear from families and constituents rather than agencies, therefore, The Arc can only be effective when self-advocates, caregivers, family members, professionals and community volunteers participate. Offer your voices, your time and resources to help protect the rights and expand the opportunities for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. To become an advocate, begin by signing up for our list serve Legislative alert.

What's Going on Now in Advocacy?

Advocacy is a constantly changing topic. The Arc created a blog to keep current information available at the click of a button. Visit our blog often for updates including legislative topics, news articles, videos and links to other information sources. Click here to visit our blog.

Living and Breathing Advocacy Everyday

Since its beginnings more than a half-century ago, The Arc has dedicated itself to providing a voice for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the community.

Every day we are at the table voicing our constituencies' concerns and interests: From the advisory board for a disability-friendly terminal at DFW airport to the Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse, The Arc speaks out. Join us at the advocacy table!

• Use this website to speak out to others by participating in our interactive I.D.E.A. forum, click here.
• Learn the latest activity on the advocacy front by visiting our blog, click here.
• Find out about upcoming meetings on advocacy in the Dallas area by checking our Calendar of Events, click here.
• Review our Advocacy activities for the past six months by opening this report, click here.