February 2010

BE PART OF THE PROGRESS OF THE ARC!

Welcome to the first edition of The Arc’s E-newsletter for members, volunteers, employees, activists, friends, and supporters of The Arc and everyone interested in our movement.

As The Arc celebrates our 60-year history, we can look to the many successes we have achieved.  Our advocacy initiatives such as recent hate crime legislation, shaping the health care debate and addressing years-long waiting lists for supports and services has made it possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live, work and fully participate in their community. 

In recent weeks, The Arc has been at the forefront in speaking out on the issue of the ”R-word”.   An invitation to The Arc to join a meeting at the White House to discuss the issue resulted in widespread national media coverage from The New York Times, Washington Post, MSNBC, ABC and more. Read more on The Arc’s advocacy efforts on Rosa’s Law and the protection of the civil rights of our constituency in this, our first issue of our E-Newsletter.

We are launching this new E-publication to enhance and grow our ability to communicate directly with you.  It will be published electronically six times a year along with another print companion piece that will be published four times a year by The Arc.  The print publication will be mailed to members only, and also be available on our website.  Read More.

 Connecting People:  The Arc is
the largest disability organization
in the country.



Restraint & Seclusion Act
Needs Your Support!

 

The Arc of CT Strikes a Blow for Deinstitutionalization

The Arc of Connecticut's vigilant long struggle for decent care and community placement for the residents of the Southbury Training School may be close to its final phase.  They have been front and center in the U.S. District Court's 2008 finding that the state violated the statutory and constitutional rights of the residents of the Southbury institution.  Read more.

The Arc Takes Rosa's Law to the White House 

In February, when news reports disclosed White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s use of the “r-word” it set off a firestorm of outrage among disability rights advocates.  And, The Arc, led by Chief Executive Officer Peter Berns, joined other disability rights activists, self-advocates and family members in a meeting with Emanuel at the White House.  Read more. 

Self-Advocate & Arc Member Wins Right to Live on Campus

Micah Fialka-Feldman, 24, refused to take no for an answer and sued the university – and won.  A U.S. District Court judge in Michigan ruled that Fialka-Feldman had been discriminated against by Oakland University when his request to live on campus was denied.  Fialka-Feldman and his parents, Janice and Richard, are members of The Arc of Oakland County and active in The Arc of Michigan.  Read more.


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