Fighting for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
For 75 years, The Arc New York has been at the forefront of the fight for the civil rights and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Together, we have driven powerful change. But the fight isn’t over. The power of The Arc New York comes from families, self-advocates, dedicated staff, and committed community members working in partnership to demand a better world for people with I/DD. We need your voice today!
Advocacy Priorities
For decades, we have been driving policy to improve our system of supports and ensure civil rights and equitable opportunity for people with disabilities. Learn more about our current advocacy priorities, and what you can do to support them
Link to: Advocacy Priority: Preserve Medicaid Funding
Medicaid Funding
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
Workforce
Learn More >
Link to: Advocacy Priority: Reform Rate Methodology & Ensure Timely Payment
Rate Reform
Learn More >
Link to: Advocacy Priority: Invest in Preschool/Early Intervention for 853 & 4410 Schools
Education & Early Intervention
Learn More >
Link to: Advocacy Priority: Secure Greater Equity & Access to Supports and Services
Equity & Access
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
Full Advocacy Priorities
View Priorities >
Call to Action! Budget Advocacy
For more than a decade, New York state failed to make adequate investments to sustain the programs and services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on. Systemic underfunding has driven us into a critical staffing crisis and eroded New York’s system of supports for its citizens with I/DD.
New York must do better! We are calling on state leaders to include a 3.2% Cost of Living adjustment for service providers and a Direct Support Wage Enhancement in the 2024-25 New York State Budget, and we need your help! Learn more and find resources to strengthen your advocacy in our Budget Advocacy Toolkit.
Advocacy Updates
The Arc New York provides regular updates on advocacy news, issues and calls to action. Sign up to receive them directly, or find archived updates here.
Our Position Statements
Position statements are used to inform The Arc’s public policy goals, as well as to provide the national platform of positions of The Arc for use by chapters at all levels of The Arc in its work – national, state, and local. The statements also serve to inform our constituency, stakeholders, media, and the general public on the prevailing organizational view on key issues.
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.
