NYSARC

Advocacy

Grassroots advocacy is exactly how NYSARC got its start in 1949, as our founding parents realized their children not only needed, but deserved, a fair chance to succeed in life.

We pushed for – and got – educational opportunities for children with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. We fought for fully-integrated classrooms. We removed people with developmental disabilities from the facilities that simply warehoused them and gave them a chance to live in their own homes, and to work at fulfilling careers – to earn their own way in the world.

Grassroots action by NYSARC families, friends, and volunteers led New York – and the United States – to sit up and take notice of the rights of children and adults with developmental disabilities.