For many years people with developmental disabilities had virtually no say in the social or civic matters that affected them. But today this uniquely vulnerable population has a voice. Through The Arc, people with developmental disabilities and those who support them engage local, state and national policymakers in productive dialogue that encourages good-sense solutions to the challenges they face. Here's how:
Transition Action Team - One of the greatest challenges facing our constituents today is known as transition--the often difficult change from youth to adulthood. A successful transition might include a job, opportunities for social and intellectual growth and access to safe, reliable transportation. Working through The Arc, a team of volunteers known as the Transition Action Team meets monthly to determine how to improve transition among young adults in Spokane.
Advocacy Training for Parents - The Spokane County Parent Coalition (SCPC), a parent group funded by Spokane County Community Services, educates parents, guardians and other family members about how to become more involved in the legislative process as it relates to people with developmental disabilities. Through Legislative Advocacy and Leadership Development workshops held each year, the SCPC helps families understand the legislative process and learn how to communicate their needs effectively to policymakers.
Advocacy Days - Each year The Arc invites a small group of constituents to travel to Olympia to meet our elected leaders. Advocacy Days allows us to educate policymakers about the unique challenges facing people with developmental disabilities and those who care for them.
Disability Policy Seminar - Each year in early spring, a group of constituent volunteers travels to Washington, D.C. to explain to lawmakers how pending federal legislation might impact people with developmental disabilities.
Legislative Receptions - Each year the Spokane County Parent Coalition (SCPC), a parent group funded by Spokane County Community Services, hosts a public reception where state legislators present their views about issues that are important to people with developmental disabilities. This is an important opportunity for Spokane voters to meet their elected representatives in person.
Legislative Response Network - Knowing how laws being considered in the state legislature will affect people with developmental disabilities and their families is important. During the legislative session each spring, this network of parents, people with developmental disabilities and caring citizens monitors pending legislation and communicates with our elected leaders about the issues that matter to them. The Legislative Response Network is a program of the Spokane County Parent Coalition (SCPC). To participate, send an e-mail to: legislative-subscribe@arc-spokane.org with "subscribe" in the Subject box. Simply reply to the e-mail you receive in your in-box and you'll be signed up.
Inclusion Network - This volunteer group encourages greater inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in our community by promoting activities in which people with and without disabilities can participate. Through the Lance Morehouse, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, individuals and families can receive financial help to participate in inclusive events in the community. The annual Community Fun Run brings people with and without disabilities together in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect.
To be a part of The Arc's advocacy effort contact Gregg Osborne at (509) 328-6326 or gosborne@arc-spokane.org.
SUCCESS STORY
Public transportation is critically important to our constituents' qualify of life, providing a safe and ready means of transportation to jobs, schools, social events, recreational activities, doctor's appointments and other activities.
In 2004 a popular anti-tax initiative forced deep cuts in public transportation funding across the state. In Spokane, public bus service was slated to be cut almost in half. Recognizing how profoundly this would impact people with developmental disabilities in Spokane, The Arc mobilized its volunteer base, initiating a campaign to restore the funding with a new levy. Other local agencies, whose constituens would also have been harmed by the cuts, quickly joined the effort. A campaign of door-to-door and telephone canvasing helped educate the public about the cuts and the pupose of the levy.
More than 69 percent of Spokane voters approved the measure--an overwhelming motion of support for public transit and for those who rely on it in our community. When the 2004 levy expired in 2008, The Arc again was a leading partner in the effort to refund it. A new measure to keep the funding passed again in 2008 by another healthy margin, this time without an expiration clause.
Thanks to this effort, hundreds of people with developmental disabilities in Spokane utilize this safe and reliable means of transportation each year, increasing their opportunities for independence and personal growth.
