I have been fortunate to participate in Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) and Self-Advocates of Tomorrow, the Aktion Club of Columbus. The benefits I have received from being part of these two great organizations far exceeds anything I have been able to do to help support them.
Through my 30+ years of involvement with The Arc (yes, I am a “seasoned veteran”) I have always been connected to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but it was when I was asked to assist SAI that I truly developed a super passion for the many friends that I have made over the years.
I hope self-advocates throughout Indiana have the opportunity to participate in a local self-advocate group and/or Aktion Club. And hopefully that local group is affiliated with SAI, which in turn supports the national self-advocate group SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered). If there isn’t a local self-advocate group or Aktion Club in your community let Melody Cooper, President of SAI, know. SAI is committed to expanding self-advocacy throughout the state.
At the national Arc level a new initiative has been developed to foster the active involvement of individuals with I/DD in the work of The Arc – the National Council of Self-Advocates (NCSA or the “Council”). Its primary purpose is to empower persons with I/DD to voice their opinions about what is important to them and to ensure that they are afforded the same opportunities as everyone else to have a meaningful life in the community, and there is no cost to join! Members will be able to network with others who are involved in advocacy work, educate the public about the issues that are important to people with I/DD, and become active leaders in their communities. In addition, the Council will also promote leadership roles for individuals with I/DD in local chapters of The Arc and supporting The Arc’s commitment to employing individuals with I/DD.
Self-advocates who are interested in joining the Council must be members of a local chapter of The Arc, and can join online through The Arc’s website by visiting: Join the Council. It is a simple process that we hope others will help self-advocates access if they need assistance.
The NCSA held its first event during the recent Public Policy Seminar of The Arc and Melody Cooper reported that it was a great gathering and an additional way for self-advocates to connect with others. I’m not sure what the future holds for NCSA but I believe it provides another avenue for self-advocates to be engaged.
Mark Kevitt is The Arc of Indiana’s Director of Program Services


















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