Have a Heart for The Arc Day is a fun way to show your disability rights pride and educate your state legislators about issues impacting Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This Valentine's Day, participate by simply sharing our Valentine's card with your state legislators – email it or hand-deliver!
Strengthen the Direct Care
Workforce
For this year's event, we're focusing messaging on strengthening the direct care workforce. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide essential supports that empower people with IDD to thrive in their communities, but fair wages are needed to sustain this workforce. Many DSPs earn insufficient wages (just $10.60/hour), despite the complex demands of their work.
You can participate from your phone or computer, or schedule an in-person visit with your legislator! Here's how:
TIP: Whether you email your legislator or meet them in person, use the info on the event webpage as the basis for your message, and pair it with your personal experience.
Option 1 – Participate from your phone or computer:
3. Encourage friends to #HaveAHeartForTheArcTX by posting on social media!
Option 2 – Participate in person:
1. Click here to identify your state legislators. 2. Schedule an appointment with them for Feb. 14 in your home district or at the Texas Capitol in Austin. 3. Meet with your legislators to deliver our printable Valentine’s Day card. 4. Thank them afterward via email. If you thank them on social media, tag them and @TheArcOfTexas.
We’d love to see posts about why you’re participating, your story about the role DSPs have played in your life, and your Valentine's Day photos! Tag @TheArcOfTexas and use #HaveAHeartForTheArcTX and #TxLege so other policymakers see your post! (You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.)
