“The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.” – Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Depending on your advocacy goals, you may want to join a group of like-minded people.
The Arc was established in 1950 and has a long history of advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities. Back then, they were fighting to keep their family together.
“It was common at that time for doctors to tell parents that the best place for their child was in an institution. Emboldened by their collective desire to raise their children in the home and their stubborn refusal to accept that institutionalization was the only option, The Arc’s founders fought even harder.” The Arc |History
Today, The Arc is advocating on current issues like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Visit their website and find Five Ways to Be an Advocate with The Arc on a local or national level.
The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disabilities(NCCJD) “is the national focal point for the collection and dissemination of resources and serves as a bridge between justice and disability professionals.”
You can also find local and national groups that are specific to the Ds community. Each group advocates in different ways and has one or two things that makes them different from each other.
And, of course, we focus on issues that matter to adults with Down syndrome and their families.
With a little research you’re sure to find the right group(s) for you.