The Arc of California

11/05/2026

📢 Everyone Counts! Proposed 2030 Census Changes Raise Concerns for the Disability Community

Did you know that census data help determine funding for special education, accessible housing, transportation, and other essential community services?

Proposed changes to the 2030 Census could leave some residents uncounted, create challenges in accurately counting people with disabilities living in group homes and other residential settings, and limit information collected about race and ethnicity.

Why does this matter? When people are left out of the census, communities risk receiving fewer resources to meet their needs. Less demographic information could also make it harder to identify disparities in access to disability services.

These changes are still proposals, but understanding their potential impact is important.

💙 Everyone deserves to be counted. Every community deserves to be seen.

🔗 Learn more about the proposed changes and what they could mean for people with disabilities and their families: https://thearcca.org/9390-2/

The Trump Administration is proposing changes to the 2030 Census that could exclude many noncitizens, create risks of miscounting people in residential settings, and limit information collected about race and ethnicity.

11/04/2026

Classes Start Tomorrow! It's Not Too Late to Register! 💙

Have you thought about the future of your loved one with a developmental disability? How can you help ensure their goals, choices, and support needs remain at the center of that future?

You don't have to figure it all out on your own! We can build your plan together!

Join the Future Is Now, a FREE six-week virtual class series from The Arc of California's Caring Futures program, designed to help caregivers and adults with developmental disabilities plan for the future with confidence.

Working alongside trained parent educators, you'll explore personal goals, identify support needs, and develop a personalized plan that honors the choices, wishes, and priorities of the person with a disability.

📅 Starts Tomorrow, Thursday, November 5!
⏰ Thursdays | 5:00–6:30 p.m. (PST)
💻 Online | FREE!
📆 November 5 – December 17 (No class Thanksgiving week)

Through guided conversations and practical planning tools, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to prepare for life's expected and unexpected changes.

💙 Your family's future deserves a plan! Take the first step today and join us tomorrow!

🔗 Register today to reserve your spot! https://www.caringfutures.org/classes

11/04/2026

VICTORY FOR VOTING RIGHTS! 🗳️♿ California Voters Reject Proposition 39!

California voters have rejected Proposition 39, protecting eligible voters, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from additional barriers to exercising their fundamental right to vote.

Proposition 39 would have required government-issued identification to vote in person and additional identification information on vote-by-mail envelopes. For people with disabilities, these requirements could have created unnecessary obstacles to participating in our democracy.

Let's also set the record straight: U.S. citizenship is ALREADY required to register and vote in California's state and federal elections. Voters must affirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury, and California already has procedures to verify voter identity and protect election integrity.

The Arc of California believes that secure elections and accessible elections must go hand in hand. No eligible voter should face unnecessary barriers to having their voice heard.

Thank you to California voters for protecting voting rights and ensuring that our democracy remains accessible to people with disabilities.

🔗 Read why The Arc of California opposed Proposition 39: https://thearcca.org/protecting-the-right-to-vote-why-the-arc-of-california-opposes-proposition-39/

The Associated Press has called the result on Proposition 39, with California voters rejecting the measure that would have required identification to vote.

11/03/2026

🎉 A Victory for Disability Rights in California!

Words matter. Language matters. Dignity matters.
In a significant step forward for disability rights, the California Law Revision Commission voted 6-0, to recommend removing outdated and demeaning language from 196 sections of California law!

The recommendation would replace the terms “dependent adults” and “dependent persons” with more respectful, person-first language: “adults with disabilities” and “persons with disabilities.”

👏 This milestone follows years of advocacy led by The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration (Arc-UCP), including our sponsorship of AB 1906 in 2024.

Special recognition goes to Greg deGiere, Arc-UCP Civil Rights Advocate, for his leadership and advocacy throughout this process.
While legislative approval is still needed, this is an important step toward ensuring California's laws reflect the dignity, independence, and rights of people with disabilities.

💙 People with disabilities deserve to be defined by their humanity, not their perceived dependence.

🔗 Read more about this important victory and what comes next:
https://tinyurl.com/mr46b3ar

In a significant win for the disability community, led by The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration (Arc-UCP), a major state commission voted last week to recommend that the Legislature remove misleading and demeaning terminology from state disability laws and replace it with cleare...

11/03/2026

⚖️ Good News for the Disability Community: Federal Court Removes Barrier to Medi-Cal Coverage

A federal court ruling on October 29 struck down an additional requirement that could have made it harder for some people with disabilities to qualify for an exclusion from new Medi-Cal work requirements under H.R.1.

While this is a welcome victory, Medi-Cal work requirements are still scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027, and understanding who is affected is critical.

Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are already outside the population subject to these requirements. However, some people with disabilities and family caregivers who receive Medi-Cal through the ACA expansion pathway may be affected.

📢 What does this ruling mean for you or your loved ones?

Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy for The Arc and UCP California Collaboration, breaks down the court decision, who may be affected, and what families need to know to protect their Medi-Cal coverage.

🔗 Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/mwusfm35

10/30/2026

📣 Caregivers of a family member with disabilities, your experiences matter!

What support services have helped you, and where do gaps remain? How have those experiences affected your well-being?

Bayberry, Inc.., a chapter of The Arc of California, is partnering with Adelphi University on a research study exploring how support services affect caregiver well-being.

Researchers invite parents of people with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, ADHD and other conditions, to share their perspectives through a voluntary, confidential survey.

Your input can help researchers better understand parents’ experiences and support needs.

🔗 Take the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffl-uMLMXXpuuPjHEObI9674PF_LkNgmRlyv8j8Nfs7bsp8Q/viewform

Please share this opportunity with other parents!

10/29/2026

In Loving Memory of Dolores Huerta (1930–2026)

“Sí, se puede!” — Yes, we can!

The Arc of California and El Arc de California mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, a pioneering civil rights and labor leader whose lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity transformed countless lives.

As co-founder of the United Farm Workers and a tireless champion for underserved communities, Dolores reminded generations that meaningful change begins when people come together, raise their voices, and demand a more equitable future.

We were deeply honored to welcome Dolores as a featured speaker at the California Latino Disability Leadership Summit in Los Angeles in November 2023, where advocates gathered to strengthen the voices of Latinos with disabilities and their families.

Her connection to our organization was also deeply personal. Dolores was the mother-in-law of Grace Huerta, Vice President of The Arc of California's Board of Directors and Chair of El Arc de California.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Grace, the Huerta family, and everyone whose life was touched by Dolores's extraordinary leadership.

Her legacy lives on in every movement for justice, every barrier broken, and every voice empowered.

¡Sí, se puede! Her work continues through all of us.

10/28/2026

📬 Already returned your ballot? Track it!

If you dropped your ballot in an official ballot drop box or returned it by mail, California’s Where’s My Ballot? lets you check its status and sign up for updates by text, email or voice call.

✅ Know when your ballot is received.
✅ Find out whether it has been accepted for counting.

With Election Day approaching on November 3, take a moment to follow your ballot’s progress.

🔗 Track your ballot: https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov/

Questions about your ballot’s status? Contact your county elections office.

10/27/2026

🎥 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! All conference videos are now available!

Did you miss the 2026 National Disability Caregivers Conference? Or want to revisit a favorite session?

You can now watch all the presentations FREE on The Arc of California's YouTube channel!

Explore an incredible lineup of speakers and sessions covering:
✅ Future planning and housing options
✅ Special needs trusts and public benefits
✅ Caregiver well-being and support
✅ Supported Decision-Making and independence
✅ Disability rights, advocacy and more!

As one conference participant shared, “We are not alone!”

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, self-advocate or disability professional, these conversations offer valuable information, practical resources and inspiration.

▶️ Watch, learn and share!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQbnmRCtdno

A special thank you to our extraordinary presenters, co-presenter Caring Across Generations, generous sponsors and everyone who helped make this event possible!



View article: https://thearcca.org/in-case-you-missed-it-national-disability-caregivers-conference-session-videos-now-available/

10/26/2026

A student with a developmental disability should be able to walk to school without fear.

The Arc of California is deeply disturbed by reports that a 20-year-old student with a developmental disability, who is also a U.S. citizen, was violently detained and injured by federal immigration agents while walking to school in Santa Maria, California.

The student, who has limited verbal communication, reportedly suffered a broken wrist requiring surgery, along with other injuries.

He had spent years building the confidence and independence to walk to school on his own. That independence has now been shaken by a traumatic encounter.

"A person's disability-related communication challenges must never be mistaken for defiance, used to justify unnecessary force, or become a barrier to receiving medical attention."
— Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc of California

In a statement, The Arc of California calls for an immediate, independent investigation, accountability for any misconduct, and stronger safeguards to protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

No person, regardless of immigration status, race, or disability, deserves to be treated this way.

Read the full statement from Executive Director Jordan Lindsey: https://thearcca.org/the-arc-of-california-condemns-ices-violent-detention-of-student-with-developmental-disability/

I am outraged and deeply disturbed by reports that federal immigration agents violently detained and injured a 20-year-old student with a developmental disability while he was simply walking to school in Santa Maria, California.