The Arc of California

10/12/2026

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY.

As reports of increased ICE enforcement activities emerge across California, The Arc of California is reaffirming its strong opposition to immigration enforcement practices that threaten the safety, dignity and well-being of people with disabilities, immigrant families and direct support professionals.

No one should have to live in fear or risk losing access to essential disability services and supports.

We have compiled important resources to help our community stay informed, prepared and protected, including:
🔹 Know Your Rights guides in English and Spanish
🔹 Free, printable Red Cards (Tarjetas Rojas)
🔹 California rapid response hotlines
🔹 Immigration legal assistance and resources
🔹 Guidance for disability service providers and direct support professionals

Knowledge is protection. Please share these resources with anyone who may need them.

🔗 Read the full article and access resources at https://thearcca.org/increased-ice-enforcement-in-california-threatens-disability-community-know-your-rights-and-where-to-get-help/

The Arc of California reaffirms its opposition to immigration enforcement activities that threaten the safety of people with disabilities, families and direct support professionals. Resources are available in English and Spanish

10/10/2026

The holidays can bring joy, connection and a whole lot of unpredictability. How do we make the season work for our families while caring for ourselves, too?

Join Caring Futures for our next Caring Conversations webinar, “The Holidays on Your Terms,” with host Felisa Strickland, Parent-Educator, and special guest Kelley Coleman, author, speaker and parent of a child with disabilities.

We’ll explore adapting traditions, setting boundaries and making room for rest and joy in an honest, practical conversation for families raising children with disabilities.

📅 Thursday, November 12
🕙 10–11 a.m. PST
💻 Online

Learn more and register: https://www.caringfutures.org/caring-conversations

10/07/2026

California’s 2026 legislative session brought important wins for the disability community, along with setbacks that will shape our advocacy in 2027.

Among the highlights:
✅ $2.4 million in state budget funding for a statewide Special Education Parent Action Network.
✅ The signing of The Arc-sponsored AB 1575 (Arambula), bringing person-first language to the Lanterman Act.
✅ Additional legislation supporting autism services, direct support professionals, young caregivers and future planning.

We also faced disappointing vetoes of bills to expand access to care at home and improve special education funding.

These victories reflect the work of people with disabilities, families and advocates who made calls, shared their stories and urged lawmakers to act. Thank you for making your voices heard!

Read the full legislative wrap-up by Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy for The Arc & UCP California Collaboration, to learn what passed, what didn’t and what comes next.

👉 https://thearcca.org/the-2026-legislative-session-is-officially-over-and-the-arc-of-california-has-some-big-wins-to-celebrate/

Throughout the year, The Arc worked alongside people with disabilities, families, local chapters, service providers, advocates, and legislators to advance policies that strengthen disability rights, improve access to services, and make California systems work better for people with intellectual and....

10/05/2026

Final call to register! We start TOMORROW! 🎉
There’s still time to register for the FREE, virtual National Disability Caregivers Conference!

Join caregivers, self-advocates and experts from across the country for two days of practical information, powerful conversations and real-world resources on the issues that matter most to disability caregivers and families.

👀 Take a look at this incredible two-day lineup below!
📅 October 6–7
⏰ 9 a.m.–1 p.m. PT | Noon–4 p.m. ET
💻 FREE + Virtual
🤟 ASL + Spanish interpretation

Register today: https://www.caringfutures.org/conference

We can’t wait to welcome you tomorrow!

10/05/2026

Three friends, two wheels, one sweet mission. 🍦
Meet Sofia Andrea Sanchez, Joaquín Sanchez and Hamza Ghazy, the friends behind 321 Pop, a mobile frozen-treat business created with support from their moms.

For these young adults, work means meeting customers, earning their own money and taking pride in a business that is theirs.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Our weekly Community Voices series in the Monday Memo will highlight the skills and contributions of people with disabilities, starting with the entrepreneurs behind 321 Pop!

📖 Read their story in this week’s Monday Memo: https://thearcca.org/321-pop-brings-meaningful-employment-to-life-for-three-friends/

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Throughout the month, our Community Voices series in the Monday Memo will highlight employment success stories that show the skills, contributions and accomplishments of ...

09/23/2026

📣 New speakers and sessions just announced!

We’re less than two weeks away from the 2nd Annual National Disability Caregivers Conference, and our lineup continues to grow!

On October 6 and 7, caregivers from across the country will come together virtually to hear from nationally recognized speakers, experts, self-advocates and people with lived experience on the issues that matter to disability caregivers and their families.

Our newly announced sessions will explore:

💙 Supported Decision-Making, choice and independence
💙 ABLE accounts and protecting public benefits
💙 Tools for navigating disability services, benefits and supports
💙 Accessible voting and disability voting rights
💙 Disability, caregiving and representation through the new film "Take Me Home"

We’re also honored to welcome U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire for a special appearance. Senator Hassan is a longtime disability rights advocate and the parent of an adult son with cerebral palsy.

👉 Swipe through to meet our newest speakers and explore the sessions.

The National Disability Caregivers Conference is FREE and virtual, with ASL and Spanish-language interpretation available thanks to our generous sponsors.

📅 October 6–7, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m.–1 p.m. PT | Noon–4 p.m. ET

Learn more about the full lineup and register FREE at:
https://www.caringfutures.org/conference

Co-presented by The Arc of California and Caring Across Generations.

09/22/2026

In case you missed it yesterday, here a video from the special announcement yesterday by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen regarding the newly allocated $2.4 million in state funding to form a statewide Special Education Parent Advocacy Network in 2027. The funds will go to the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD), who will shepherd the process. Thank you to all the parents and advocates who came out to the Capitol for this exciting announcement. A special thank you to those parents who shared their stories: Jane Chen, Cindy Liu, Christine Case and Pat Hornbecker, and Kristin Wright, Executive Director of Inclusive Practices at the Sacramento County Office of Education who shared her expertise and insights as to why this is so important and necessary at this time.

09/22/2026

Children with disabilities deserve the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive in Head Start.

Proposed federal changes could weaken important protections for young children with disabilities, including safeguards related to suspension and expulsion, developmental screenings, referrals to early intervention and special education services, staffing, and family involvement.

Early identification and access to services can make a lasting difference in a child’s education. Clear, consistent protections help make sure those opportunities don’t depend on where a child lives or which Head Start program they attend.

The federal government is accepting public comments now. Learn what’s being proposed, why it matters for children with disabilities and their families, and how you can make your voice heard at The Arc of the United States.

📣 Read more and provide public comment: https://act.thearc.org/campaign/168429/

Proposed changes to Head Start could weaken protections for children with disabilities, make it easier to suspend or expel children, and reduce access to important supports and services. Tell the government to protect inclusion, early supports, and family involvement in Head Start.

09/20/2026

LOCATION CHANGE!! Parents and advocates of students in special education are invited to an exciting announcement and community celebration TODAY at the State Capitol!

Join Assemblymembers Stephanie Nguyen and Mia Bonta, special education leaders, advocates and parents to celebrate the $2.4 million secured to create a new statewide Special Education Parent Advocacy Network. Come learn more about the network being formed and what it will mean for California families and students.

🗓Monday, September 21 at 4 p.m.
🏛 California State Capitol, Room 317
📍1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA

Children are welcome. We would love to see a strong showing from special ed families and advocates! If you have questions please email me at [email protected]