The Arc Position Statements

Disability and racial justice efforts must be connected to all movements for freedom and justice. These movements must be focused on ending ableism, discrimination, and oppression of disabled people.

Read the full position on disability and racial justice.

All children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) must receive a free and appropriate public education.

Read the full position statement on ending punishment in schools

Individuals with IDD and their families must be involved in the policy decisions that affect them, with the opportunity for real and meaningful participation at all levels of government.

Read the full position statement on the role of government in disability policy

Taxpayer contributions to the state budget are a vital component of the supports that help individuals with IDD and their families thrive in their communities.

Read the full position statement on taxes

People with IDD and their families accessing services and supports must be involved in all aspects of planning, service delivery, and evaluation of policies and programs.

Read the full position statement on involving stakeholders in designing services

In high-quality services and supports, the decisions of people with IDD are placed at the center, with input as needed from trusted individuals of their choice.

Read the full position statement on Quality Services and Supports

Parents of minor children or adult children, as well as spouses or relatives of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, should be paid for services rendered through Medical Assistance programs under the same terms as non-family personal care providers.

Read the full position statement on payment of parents and relatives of children and adults

The Arc Minnesota believes People with IDD have the best quality of life and most belonging in their communities when they can choose formal and informal supports.

DHS as a Direct Service Provider

People with IDD deserve to have real belonging in their communities, and relationships with many people of their choosing.

Read the full position statement on 24-hour services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Many people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are left out of conversations about their lives, services, and supports. Person-centered practices were made to put the person, their culture, and their wants and needs at the center of their chosen life.

Read the full position statement on person-centered thinking, planning, and doing

People with disabilities must have informed choice among a wide range of inclusive daytime opportunities. Daytime opportunities should support each person’s meaningful engagement in their communities.

Read the full position statement on alternative daytime opportunities

All individuals with disabilities – no matter their disability type and support needs – deserve the opportunity to explore, find, and keep jobs and careers that provide personal fulfillment and help build wealth.

Read the full position statement on employment

Minnesota’s current system of services for people with disabilities forces them to live in poverty because of restrictive financial policies. These restrictions apply to people with disabilities themselves and some of their family members.

Read the full position statement on forced poverty in disability policies

Minnesota legislators should support legislation to reduce the unaffordable fees that many Minnesota parents pay for services that keep their children with disabilities healthy, keep them with their families, and keep them in the community.

Read the full position statement on parental fees in Minnesota

Minnesota faces a direct support professional workforce shortage now and in the future. Without change, the quality of care and the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be at risk in Minnesota.

Read the full position statement on the direct support professional workforce shortage

It is important to provide more options for self-direction in all services for people with disabilities in Minnesota. People must able to control their own services, with any support they need to make their own decisions.

Read the full position statement on self-direction in disability services

The Arc Minnesota honors the lives of the Minnesotans with disabilities who lived and died in state institutions, and were memorialized in the Remembering With Dignity Initiative

Read the full position statement on Remembering With Dignity

People with disabilities and their trusted supporters can thrive when abundant connections are mixed with paid supports to provide full access in community. All of us have a responsibility to build inclusivity into all aspects of life.

Read the full position statement on building supportive communities

The Arc of the United States, the national organization of The Arc, has position statements on quality of life, rights, life in the community, and systems.

Read all position statements from The Arc of the United States