Overview

Self-Advocacy at The Arc Rockland encourages participants to take charge of their decisions, actively engage in daily life, and influence public policy affecting people with IDD. It aims to cultivate inclusive communities and a person-centered support system, emphasizing the importance of being recognized as individuals with voices that matter in all aspects of life.

This involves educating staff on the needs and rights of individuals, participating in agency committees and boards, and advocating for a meaningful role in policy decisions.

Key areas of focus for the Self-Advocacy group include:

• Civil rights awareness, including voting and integrated services.
• Leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.
• Advocacy against discrimination and bullying.
• Personalized employment and residential planning.
• Governance, supportive decision-making, and understanding managed care.

Regular meetings, both virtual and in-person, along with social activities, enhance learning and community engagement. The group maintains an active partnership with the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS), contributing to local, regional, and statewide initiatives.

Recognition as the Agency of the Year in 2019 at the SANYS Annual Conference in Albany highlights The Arc Rockland’s commitment to positive social change and values like honesty, respect, inclusion, choice, equality, and freedom.

Through a variety of training opportunities, members develop advocacy, communication, and leadership skills. They participate in agency committees, contributing to the governance and operational decisions, ensuring a person-centered approach in alignment with The Arc Rockland’s mission.

The motto “NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US” encapsulates the essence of The Arc Rockland’s Self-Advocacy group, emphasizing the empowerment and active involvement of individuals with IDD in all decisions affecting their lives.