ARCh, The Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps

Advocacy

ARCh’s Personal Advocacy program offers assistance for children with special needs, as they and their parents seek to navigate through the often-confusing special education system. Through information and assistance, Personal Advocacy builds teams around children to support them as they pursue and achieve their educational dreams. By focusing on the individual needs and abilities of each child served, ARCh works to insure that parents, medical personnel and educators understand the rights and responsibilities of all who are involved in making sure that each child’s voice is heard.

PA also addresses parents' concerns regarding the rights of adult children who have disabilities.

About Personal Advocacy
The Personal Advocacy (PA) program was developed in response to parents' requests for assistance regarding school-aged children and the special education process within the public schools.

Our philosophy and approach to advocacy fosters the building of teams around children and adults with disabilities. Through collaboration and sharing of effective advocacy techniques, our goal is to provide support for each unique individual. We serve as independent advocates for the individual with a disability.

Personal Advocacy Services include:

a	Providing information and referral services
a	Critique Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and service plans
a	Attend evaluations, IEP's and other team meetings for children
a	Consult with families in their homes or at the ARCh office to answer questions and determine a plan of action
a	Teach advocacy and self-advocacy techniques
a	Make referrals to appropriate community agencies and services
a	Help families understand the complexities of the educational and adult service system
a	Attend residential, vocational and/or day program staffing for adults
a	Meet with families to explain and discuss the ARCh Life Needs Trust
a	Offer "Safe Passages", a summer program for young adults combining classes in self-advocacy with community outings and a support for parents.

Advocacy Update

Support Group
Meetings

Special Education Support Group
Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month from 6pm to 7:30pm at Banting Elementary Media Center
(2019 Butler Drive).

Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee (DDAC)
Meetings are on the second Wednesday of
the month from 10am to 11:30am at Goodwill in Waukesha (1400 Nike Dr.)

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