The Arc of the United States

Issue 1 – Spring 2010

empower

Real People, Real Progress

“rebirth of the movement,” advocates say

ca, fl, va battle budget cuts:

California

Across the country,

disability rights advocates are taking to the streets to fight paralyzing state budget cuts that would impact the quality of life and safety of their clients. The Arc of San Francisco, The Arc of Florida and The Arc of Virginia are mobilizing in their states

to defend what Tim Hornbecker, CEO of The Arc of San Francisco, calls “cuts to services and supports that leave our most vulnerable citizens— and their families—without the critical services we’ve worked for decades to guarantee.” The Arc of San Francisco opposes California Governor Arnold

Schwarzenegger’s drastic cuts to close a projected $21 billion state budget gap; it is trying to keep services available—particularly for those with acute medical needs. For a second year in a row, California added a 3% cut to funding ser-

vices for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are also facing a 30% cut in federal fees for Supported Employment from the Department of Rehabilitation. In-home Support Services have been limited only to those with the most severe disabilities and Medi-Cal has stopped funding dental, vision and psychiatric services.

budget cuts continued on page 2

coming in may:

look for the arc’s new website

Along with empower, a new e-newsletter and other exciting com- munications efforts, The Arc is also introducing a redesigned website. Our website address is not changing, and by late spring at www.thearc.org you will find more relevant, reliable and topical information for everyone who cares about intellectual and develop- mental disabilities. Parents, siblings, self-advocates,

chapter leaders, and others will find the new site to be intuitive and easy to navigate. The website redesign will advance The Arc as the “go-to” resource. Additionally, our chapters will have a greater presence so you will be up-to-date on activities in chapters where you live. The website will also serve to

reinforce our strong and growing community by providing links to dis- cussion boards and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook where our presence is growing.  Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8