top of page

2023
Arc Angel Program

external-file_edited.jpg

Woman With Cerebral Palsy Overwhelmed By Outpouring Of Support

by John Walk, LNP/TNS | November 14, 2023

After returning home from yet another lengthy hospital stay, a 32-year-old with severe cerebral palsy has received over 500 letters of encouragement from across the country.

(Patrick Tehan/San Jose Mercury News/TNS)

LANCASTER, Pa. — Each morning, Strasburg Borough resident Stephanie Mastriania wakes up around 8:30 a.m. She’ll be lifted from her bed, either by her mom or two brothers, to an electric wheelchair and exit her bedroom. Eventually she’ll make her way to a living room that’s undergone a bit of a facelift recently.

Diagnosed Developmental Disabilities in Children Aged 3–17 Years:
United States, 2019–2021


Benjamin Zablotsky, Ph.D., Amanda E. Ng, M.P.H., Lindsey I. Black, M.P.H., and Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D.
US CAPITOL 2.jpg

Public Policy Goals for the 118th Congress

2023 — 2024

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) want to live, learn, work, pay taxes, and be productive and fully included in their communities. Federal public policy is critical to achieving this vision.

The Arc partners with AAIDDANCORASAASANEastersealsNACDDTASH, and UCP to create this public policy agenda. We work together to shape, expand, and protect a strong federal role that provides vital benefits, services, and supports and assures civil rights for our constituency.

Human and Civil Rights

Overview

The history of living with a disability in the United States has largely been one of discrimination, segregation, and exclusion from education, work, housing, and even from routine daily activities.

Fortunately, today people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same basic legal, civil, and human rights as other citizens. The U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and federal court decisions have established these rights. However, despite the tremendous advances, limitations of laws and regulations, poor enforcement of the laws, limited funding of programs, disregard for binding legal precedent, and societal prejudices keep many people with disabilities from being fully included in our society. There is still a lot of work to do in order to make true community integration and recognition of civil rights a reality for ALL, including those with the most significant disabilities.

You can learn more about The Arc’s position on civil rights by reading our position statement.

2-Overview-4.jpg

Join Our Fight for Equal Rights for All

The Arc fights every day to protect civil rights and access to vital programs, such as Medicaid, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). But we can’t do it alone! We need the help of people with I/DD, their families, and allies of the cause.

Sign up today to receive updates on our movement, take action, and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Become a member of
the Arc
of Ms
Our MISSION

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Our impact

With your help, we are working every day to build a future of inclusive work, play, worship, community, travel, and more.

If you are looking for an item that was posted on our website please check our Archive page under Resources

bottom of page
4221a9af520e55de36435bdd533c2e3009e2d0ae