Press Releases: 2003 Releases
The Arc and UCP Form Public Policy Collaboration to Advocate for People with Disabilities
Organizations Join Forces to Impact National Public Policy Issues
Washington, DC, February 4, 2003 – The Arc of the United States, the nation’s largest volunteer-based organization devoted to issues affecting people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities, and United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCP), one of the nation’s largest health charities dedicated to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society, announced today the formation of a Public Policy Collaboration, an historic partnership that will enhance both organizations’ ability to advocate for services and supports for people with disabilities.
Historically, The Arc and UCP have shared many core values as each has advocated with and for people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy and related disabilities. Currently, these constituents are facing several crises nationwide including attacks on Medicaid and budget deficits at the state and federal levels, lending a sense of urgency to the work of the Public Policy Collaboration.
"I am excited about this national-level collaboration and believe it is an effective and innovative way to continue to fight for the interests of our constituents, chapters, and affiliates," said President of The Arc Lorraine Sheehan. "Based on the rich history of leadership by both The Arc and UCP in the evolution of national disability policy, we expect this collaboration to give us unprecedented power to ensure that our constituents’ voices are heard in the halls of government."
"This dynamic public policy collaboration will expand our presence and amplify the voice of people with disabilities on Capitol Hill," said Hal Nolan, UCP President. "We will broker our unified voice to capitalize on strong leadership histories and traditions to advocate for and ensure that our constituents are never forgotten and never left behind."
The Public Policy Collaboration, which will operate under the direction of Paul Marchand, Staff Director, will have eight (8) full-time employees working in specific areas of public policy including employment, education, social security, health, housing, and disability rights, among others. The Public Policy Collaboration will also produce a series of communications vehicles geared toward keeping affiliates, the general public, and government officials informed about the issues affecting people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy and related disabilities. The two organizations will also co-sponsor with AAMR and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) the upcoming Governmental Affairs Seminar, taking place March 9-11, 2003, in Washington, D.C.
About The Arc
The Arc of the United States works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community.
About UCP
UCP and its nationwide network of local affiliates strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. The mission of UCP is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through its commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination.