The Arc of the United States

Kris' dream is for "all disabled people to have access to the self-realization of being a whole person without positive or negative qualifiers." #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth

The Paris Olympics are here, and we're eager to cheer on inspirational athletes like Lawrence Sapp, who will take the global stage next month for the Paralympics. Lawrence is the first male Paralympic swimmer with autism & intellectual disability to make Team USA's National A team. At just 22 years old, Lawrence is shattering stigmas and showing the world what's possible for people with disabilities. In his freshman year of high school, Lawrence broke five school records while competing on the varsity team. In his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, he placed 5th in 100m butterfly, 12th in 200m IM & 14th in 100m backstroke. Now he has his sights set on more Olympic glory in Paris🥇 Lawrence's aspirations extend beyond the pool. He plans to “graduate from college in 2025, get a job doing something I love, and one day have my own home.” He’s fueled by a rigorous training regimen of twice-daily swim sessions, sandwiches and spaghetti, self-advocacy, and his family’s love. Check out our full interview with him⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dwEy_yD3

Meet Brett. “I am proud to be in a community that has such an impact on people with disabilities. I am proud of all the projects that I get to be a part of through The Arc. In addition to that, I am the vice president of the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum board of directors. I am a board member of People First Wisconsin. I am proud of all the wonderful friends that I have made in the disability advocacy community. I can't wait to see what opportunities come my way next.” #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth

"Hello, my name is Lizzy Graham (pronouns she/her). I'm an autistic, transgender woman of East Asian descent. Being autistic, I have focused interests. When I was young, I sang in my high school choir and wanted to be an opera singer. So, one of my hobbies is classical music and opera. At least once a year, I drive up to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for a matinee. I love the combination of theater and music. My favorite composers are Mozart and Puccini. I'm glad I have my own car because it gives me the flexibility to pursue my interests. Sometimes I can have an autistic info-dumping moment and share what I know about opera and famous singers." #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth

Dream of traveling the world? 🌍 Autistic self-advocate Rachel is doing just that—and busting stigmas along the way. For #DisabilityPrideMonth, Rachel shares how proud she is of her adventures abroad, from studying in London to exploring Japan for 2 months. Her story challenges assumptions about what's possible when you have a disability. What's your #DisabilityPride story?

Millions of people with disabilities rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but outdated rules keep them from financial independence, getting married, and choosing where they go to school and work. The $2,000 SSI asset limit hasn't changed since 1989, forcing people to choose between basic needs and saving for their future. It's time to #UpdateSSI to give people with disabilities the freedom to build better lives. Take action now: Tell Congress to support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act! https://bit.ly/3zFPicH #WeActWednesday

Meet Carson, who lives in Colorado and has cerebral palsy. “I’m really proud of my advocacy work. There are many different kinds of disabilities, but we are just as human as you. We deserve to live independently, be active in our community, receive education, vote, and so much more—just like everyone else.” #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride

Political violence has no place in America. Our democracy relies on safe and civil discourse. Our thoughts are with former President Trump and all who were harmed by the attack at the rally in Pennsylvania.

My name is Michkeal and in 2020, I was so depressed, unoptimistic, and unmotivated. COVID was happening, and I was working at a job that made me miserable. Before the year ended, I had been terminated from that job, and I couldn't go back to school because I had too many credit hours. I was stuck. In 2021, I joined St. Louis Arc and it changed my whole life. I joined their Board of Directors as a self-advocate; I became the president of a newly formed program called St. Louis Self Advocate; I got a part-time job with the Boys and Girls of Greater St. Louis, and I was on the committee for Disability Rights Legislative Day in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 2022, I was on a roll—not only was I on the committee, but I was also the emcee of Legislative Day, and I received a proclamation as a token of my dedication. I was awarded as a nominee at the Missouri Mental Health Champions Banquet. I also got a job as a Paraprofessional for the Special School District of St. Louis County that year. Who would've thought that a young black man on the spectrum, with ADD/ADHD and a depressive disorder, would be fulfilling all these things? But I'm not done - I want to accomplish my associate degree so I can transfer to a four-year university to double major in French and Spanish with a minor in African American Studies. After all this, I am so proud of myself. #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride Read more stories about people with disabilities on our stories page ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eaEyeJTq

🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 Last night, thanks to your advocacy, members of Congress removed a harmful provision from the Appropriations bill that would have allowed the continued use of electric shock devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center. The disability community was specifically mentioned and thanked for meeting with all members of the committee to educate them on the provision. We are grateful for your continued advocacy to keep people with disabilities safe! #StopTheShock