Advocacy

The Arc of the United States Position Statements

The Arc's position statements address critical issues related to rights, treatment, services and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Process for Development of Position Statements

Position statements are used to advance The Arc’s public policy goals. They are disseminated to professionals, family members, and other interested persons. They are the touchstone for state and local chapters to create a national perspective on what The Arc stands for.

The President of The Arc appoints a committee to consider development of new position statements and the revision of existing position statements. The Arc also works with a committee appointed by the President of AAIDD.

New position statements may be suggested by chapters or members of The Arc by writing to the President or the Executive Director. The drafts of new position statements and the existing position statements being considered for revision are circulated to all chapters for comments. These comments are incorporated into the final drafts for consideration by the Boards of Directors of The Arc and AAIDD and voting by The Arc's Congress of Delegates.

QUALITY OF LIFE

• Quality of Life Summary
• Quality of Life Position Statement

RIGHTS

• Rights Summary
• Advocacy Position Statement
• Criminal Justice Position Statement
• Guardianship Position Statement
• Human and Civil Rights Position Statement
• Inclusion Position Statement
• Physician-Assisted Suicide
• Protection Position Statement
• Self-Advocacy
• Self-Determination Position Statement

LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY

• Life in the Community Summary
• Aging Position Statement
• Behavioral Supports Position Statement
• Early Childhood Services Position Statement
• Education Position Statement
• Employment Position Statement
• Family Support Position Statement
• Health, Mental Health, Vision, and Dental Care Position Statement
• Housing Position Statement
• Individual Supports Position Statement
• Opportunities for Financial Asset Building
• Parents with Intellectual and/or Developmental
• Disabilities Position Statement
• Sexuality Position Statement
• Spirituality Position Statement
• Transportation Position Statement

SYSTEMS

• Systems Summary
• Direct Support Professionals Position Statement
• Medicaid
• Prevention Position Statement
• Research Position Statement
• Service Coordination Position Statement
• Waiting Lists Position Statement