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Advocacy
Until a few decades ago, people with developmental disabilities had few choices.  Believed incapable of contributing to society in a meaningful way, many were committed to institutions where they had little contact with the outside world. But through grassroots advocacy made possible by The Arc of Spokane, people with developmental disabilities in our community are graduating from high school, finding good jobs and living independently. Over the years our advocacy effort has improved the quality of life for our constituents dramatically. Here's how it works: 


Community Advocacy
Improving public policy for people with developmental disabilities means changing the attitudes of lawmakers at the local, state and national level. Above all else, members of The Arc are activists, united in their desire to change attitudes about people with developmental disabilities by edcuating others about their most critical needs. Our community advocacy effort educates through a number of mechanisms, including: 

         


  • The Spokane County Parent Coalition--Reaching 1,500 people a month, the Spokane County Parent Coalition provides information, education and advocacy training to parents with children who have a developmental disability.    

  • The Advocacy Committee--The governing board of our community advocacy effort, this committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in our Boone building conference room.

  • Advocacy Days--During the state legistlative session, which generally runs from January through May of each year, a number of volunteers travel with us to Olympia to speak with lawmakers about proposed legislation that we either favor or oppose.
  • The Rapid Response Network--During the state legislative season, network volunteers call or e-mail other activists asking them to urge their legislators for or against pending legislation.
  • The Disability Seminar--Each year in February or March, a small group of volunteers and staff travel to Washington D.C. to learn about pending federal legislation and to speak with our congressional respresenatives about specific bills that we may favor or oppose.

To be a part of our advocacy team, contact Lance Morehouse at (509) 328-6326 (ext. 205) or lmorehouse@arc-spokane.org.

 

Individual Advocacy
People with developmental disabilities and their parents or guardians sometimes need help overcoming the unique challenges they face daily. Whether they're helping an individual fill out a tax form or a family find affordable housing, Individual Advocates at The Arc of Spokane are an important component of a rich and meaningful life for people with developmental disabilities. An Individiual Advocate can:

  • Give direction about available services in the community
  • Act as a witness to dealings with officials and practitioners
  • Help stabilize a stressful situation through listening and counseling 
  • Explain an individual's needs or views to others  
  • Explain complex information in terms the individual can understand
  • Write letters or fill-out legal forms

          

To talk to an Individual Advocate, contact Helen Black at (509) 328-6326 or hblack@arc-spokane.org. 
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