The Arc of Texas remains heavily engaged in opposing House Bill 1 (HB 1), which proposes a private school voucher program and a requirement for admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committees to inform parents of students receiving special education services about state supported living centers (SSLCs).

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, we united with other Texas disability rights organizations for a press conference highlighting the negative impacts HB 1 would have on students with disabilities and public schools. 

This detrimental proposal passed the Senate last month and passed out of the House Committee on Education last week. It is heading for a vote on the House floor soon. See last week’s email for more background and our call to action, which garnered more than 100 public comments from allies of The Arc of Texas during the committee’s hearing. Thanks to all who advocated with us! Keep it up!

The Arc of Texas is gearing up for our 3rd Annual Have a Heart for The Arc Day, taking place on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2024! Chapters across Texas are invited to deliver Valentine’s cards to their local state representatives to thank those who support policies positively impacting Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and to educate legislators in need of more information. Stay tuned for details! (If there are groups in your region who can make homemade Valentine’s Day cards, this is a great way to involve folks in our advocacy efforts!)

Kerry Mauger, Director of Special Projects at The Arc of the U.S., talks about The Arc’s Wings for Autism/Wings for All program which gives families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies with ease by providing an airport “rehearsal,” as well as a presentation on the aircraft features and in-flight safety protocols.

The FINDS survey provides insights into the experiences of families supporting a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

This benefit program helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit can provide a discount for internet services and/or a computer.

This survey supports local planning and facilitation of the Texas Youth Sequential Intercept Model workshops and is intended for managers or program administrators at organizations working at the intersection of youth behavioral health and juvenile justice. It aims to create an inventory of Texas juvenile justice prevention, diversion, and treatment programs available to youth with mental illness, substance use disorders, or intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

The Arc has updated its brand guidelines, which provide details on the network’s colors, fonts, imagery, and logos. A unified visual identity across the network makes our collective brand and voice even stronger. Log in to your account on The Arc’s Chapter Portal and click on “Brand Guidelines & Resources” in the left-hand navigation menu. (If your chapter is already branded and you’re looking for your logo file, please email branding@thearc.org.)