Advocate
The Arc of New River Valley works locally and statewide to support The Arc of Virginia’s legislative priorities. The short Virginia General Assembly season is an especially active time, with Lobby Day in Richmond, meetings with state representatives and calls to you, our supporters, to make your voices heard. Click the buttons below to see The Arc of Virginia’s legislative priorities and the new Action Center which makes it easier to add your voice!
Lobby Day
Every January, while the Virginia General Assembly is in session, members of The Arc of the New River Valley join advocates from all over the state for The Arc of Virginia Lobby Day in Richmond. We visit state Delegates and Senators who represent the New River Valley to ask for their support on issues affecting people with disabilities. This year, 150 Self-Advocates from across the state when to Richmond demanding DD System Transformation!
The Arc of Virginia created a fun Facebook Reel recapping the 2023 DD Advocacy Season. Click the button below to watch.
The NRV Self-Advocates Greeted the General Assembly!
The New River Valley Self-Advocates Alliance was introduced to the Virginia House Chamber as part of an annual tradition by Delegate Jason Ballard of Giles and the 12th District. Chris Cadwallader and Nancy Camajani (of The Arc of the New River Valley) and Self-Advocates Matt Hudgins and Anita Ehrhardt waved from the balcony wearing The Arc’s brilliant orange.
A Life Like Yours Self-Advocacy Alliance
The A Life Like Yours Self-Advocacy Alliance works to increase the availability of inclusive supports for people with Developmental Disabilities, through changes to policy, expectations and support systems. Our goal is for people with disabilities to live a life like yours in a home that they choose, working in a job that they choose, and participating in their communities. Watch the Declaration of A Life Like Yours video.
Zoom Advocacy
2020 pushed everything online. Although we’ve returned to in-person advocacy and events, we, like everyone else, continue to use Zoom as a good way to make educational and advocacy events possible, especially for folks unable to travel. It’s a mark of the times that even the most un-tech savvy among us can casually use Zoom without anxiety or confusion!
Racial Justice
The Arc of the New River Valley, the Arc of Virginia, and the Arc of the US call on our nation’s leaders to dismantle racism, end discrimination, and to honor, protect, and enforce the civil and human rights of all people!
Visits with General Assembly Members
The Arc of the New River Valley stays in touch with our Delegates and Senator even when the General Assembly is not in session through phone calls, emails and visits to their local offices.
We want to keep them up to date on our concerns and ideas for statutory and policy changes that would improve the lives of their constituents with disabilities.
Email Blasts
The Arc of the New River Valley works actively during the Virginia General Assembly session to respond to daily changes in the Assembly and to mobilize our networks to call and email your representatives as particular bills and resolutions of concern to people with disabilities come up for vote. Often, our action window is very narrow and we often don’t know until the end of the day that a bill will be up for vote the next morning! Sign up to add your voice to The Arc of Virginia and Arc of the New River Valley’s advocacy efforts.
Add Your Voice
Self-advocacy is a growing trend. Who better to tell the stories, challenges, and needs of people with disabilities than people with disabilities and their families? We’ve created some resources for telling your story, writing your legislators, and visiting them too!
Sign Up for Email Updates
Newsletters, free resources, events, advocacy, and more