Advocacy Training

The Arc believes that people with disabilities and their families are, by far, the best voices for change. Your personal stories are what will truly make a difference. Our Governmental Affairs team is here to teach you how to effectively advocate for yourself or the people you care about.

Advocacy Training Schedule

If you would like to host an advocacy training, contact Amy Mizcles at amizcles@thearcoftexas.org.

Welcome Letter to Advocates:

(from Legislative Advocacy: Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, A Primer for Citizen Involvement - Spanish Edition)

The Arc of Texas is the oldest and largest nonprofit, volunteer organization in the state committed to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included in their communities. The Arc supports families, advances public policies, provides training programs, and builds a statewide network of advocates.

Since our founding in 1950 by a group of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc of Texas has been instrumental in the creation of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit that is now available to more than half a million Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, The Arc continues to advocate for including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of society.

The Arc of Texas envisions a world where...

1. All people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are fully included in their families, neighborhoods, communities, and schools.
2. Quality supports and services responds to their needs and personal choices.

One of the most effective tools for moving our issues forward is advocacy. It is important for us to tell our stories in ways that move policy makers to make real, positive change for our friends, families, neighbors, community members, or for ourselves. This primer is meant to be a guide to legislative basics as you become involved in issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The most important piece of the puzzle is you, the advocate, as you participate in strengthening the voices of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our hope is that your participation in the advocacy process will be ongoing—writing to elected officials, telling your story to decision makers, talking to the media, attending community hearings and forums—as we work to make a lasting impression on services and supports for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Texas. Thank you for your willingness to get involved!