Current Legislative Issues

The Arc of Arizona is a national non-profit volunteer membership organization made up of people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, their families, friends, interested citizens and professionals in the disability field. The Arc of Arizona is comprised
of local chapters devoted solely to working on behalf of its constituency.

       Click Here to view a Summary of Significant Arizona Legislation, 2006

The following chapters are affiliated with The Arc of Arizona and The Arc of the United States, Chandler/Gilbert, Douglas, YES/The Arc Cottonwood-Sedona), Casa Grande, Gila County Tucson, Mohave, Northeast Pinal County (Kearny), The Peaks (Flagstaff),  Santa Cruz (Nogales), Tempe, Graham County (Safford) and Yuma County. Many affiliates are self-advocacy groups comprised of people with developmental disabilities who advocate for needed supports and services in order to develop to their fullest potential.

Behavioral supports:

Good mental health is a concern for all people, including people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. A full and active life supported by caring relationships is important in preventing or lessening the occurrence of problems behavior in our constituency. When problem behaviors do occur, people with mental retardation and related disabilities must have positive behavior supports that focus on improved quality of life as well as reductions in the behaviors.

Education:

Individual Education Programs (IEP) for students within our constituency must: 

1. Provide access to regular curricula, extra curricula services and experience with peers without disabilities  including access to post-secondary education.
2. Provide necessary related educational support services to maximize the educational experience    3. Accommodations, alternative assessments and evaluations must be made available for all students.
4. Be provided by properly qualified, prepared and supported teachers, related service personnel and other staff.
5. Be fully funded to meet identified needs of eligible children.

Employment:

All of our constituents should be prepared for careers and have the opportunity for jobs based upon their preferences, interests, and strengths.

Employment opportunities should include:

1. Flexible and comprehensive individualized supports to ensure employment success.

2. Wages and benefits that is fair and reasonable.

3. General and specific job skill training and actual paid work experience in the community.

 Housing:

Our constituents should be empowered to live in accessible and affordable housing similar to that of people without disabilities. Necessary individualized supports and adaptations should be of their choosing and under their control or the control of their substitute decision-maker. Community over institutional placement must be the mindset.

1. Large congregated facilities are unnecessary and inappropriate for our constituents, regardless of type on severity of disability.

2. People must receive individualized supports, including housing, as they leave institutions, as well as their family homes. Public funds must be shifted from institutions to the community to accommodate these moves.

3. The health and safety of people must be safeguarded wherever they live, including when a facility is closing, and whenever a person is transitioning from one living environment to another.

 Children:

1. All children need a home with a family that provides an atmosphere of love, security, and safety.

2. Many families need individualized accommodations to enable them to provide a home for the child with a disability.

 Issue:

1. The guardianship “diminished capacity” bill.

2. Ensure that the remaining residents of ATPC do not face unnecessary future risks by encouraging legislators to fully educate themselves about the history and issues concerning ATPC so that they are better prepared to discuss its future.

3. Effort to get state agencies to apply for large grants, which would benefit persons with developmental disabilities.

Top of Page