Volunteer: Be a Civil Rights Ally - Support Arc's Policy EffortsThrough nonpartisan legislative advocacy, The Arc supports public policies founded in the principles of human & civil rights, self-advocacy & self direction and equity & true belonging. Alongside self-advocates, family members, support professionals and coalition partners, The Arc works to advance policy solutions that create positive systems and social change for Minnesotans with disabilities. Through our public policy work, The Arc seeks to support those leading the disability rights and racial justice movements. We are committed to ending ableism, racism, and other types of oppression. Specific volunteer opportunities include: writing letters to the editor and elected officials supporting policies of inclusionsharing your story with decision makers on how public policies impact your quality of lifemeeting with elected officials to ensure the disability community is included in conversations and in the decision making processhosting home visits to have conversations with elected officials and those running for office about policy priorities for the disability communitysubscribing to The Arc's Capitol Connector newsletter which shares ways you can get involved in policy initiativesTime commitment is only a a few hours a month to a few hours over several months. You can determine how much time you want to commit, how and when. To learn more or for staff follow up, please complete this form. An Arc staff person will be in touch with you soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Through nonpartisan legislative advocacy, The Arc supports public policies founded in the principles of human & civil rights, self-advocacy & self direction and equity & true belonging. Alongside self-advocates, family members, support professionals and coalition partners, The Arc works to advance policy solutions that create positive systems and social change for Minnesotans with disabilities. Through our public policy work, The Arc seeks to support those leading the disability rights and racial justice movements. We are committed to ending ableism, racism, and other types of oppression. Specific volunteer opportunities include: writing letters to the editor and elected officials supporting policies of inclusionsharing your story with decision makers on how public policies impact your quality of lifemeeting with elected officials to ensure the disability community is included in conversations and in the decision making processhosting home visits to have conversations with elected officials and those running for office about policy priorities for the disability communitysubscribing to The Arc's Capitol Connector newsletter which shares ways you can get involved in policy initiativesTime commitment is only a a few hours a month to a few hours over several months. You can determine how much time you want to commit, how and when. To learn more or for staff follow up, please complete this form. An Arc staff person will be in touch with you soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Be a Positive Change Maker! Help The Arc Build Capacity!Do you believe people with disabilities should have all of the same life opportunities as those without disabilities? Do you want to elevate the lived experiences people with disabilities have? Then our Regional Capacity Building volunteer opportunity is for you! Regional Capacity Building focuses on promoting and sharing information about Positive Supports. The Arc is promoting information around Positive Supports regionally and will share recommendation with state leaders. Positive Supports are practices that improve quality of life for people with disabilities and does so in a culturally responsive way. The West Central, Twin Cities and Southern Regions of Minnesota each have a Regional Capacity Building Network. Regions will build partnerships and help strengthen their communities for people with disabilities. We seek individuals from diverse groups of people for this work, especially self-advocates and their trusted supporters. Come join us! Network Members will: Attend monthly Zoom meetings (schedule varies by region); time commitment 1-3 hours per monthWork on projects outside of meetings (optional)Share their expertiseHelp identify recommendations for regional and statewide improvementsIndividuals with a depth of lived experience from multiple groups of people are highly needed. We seek individuals who have the following experience or identities: Member of an underrepresented or culturally specific groupHave lived experience as a person with a disability or family memberKnowledge or experience with Positive Supports topics such as:Positive Behavioral SupportsPerson Centered Thinking and PracticesCulture of SafetyTrauma-Informed SupportsMotivational InterviewingCognitive Behavioral TherapySystems of CareWellness Recovery Action PlayWrap Around PlanningWant to learn more or volunteer? Contact the Director of Volunteer Resources at volunteernow@arcminnesota.org or you can complete this form. An Arc staff person will be in touch with you soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Do you believe people with disabilities should have all of the same life opportunities as those without disabilities? Do you want to elevate the lived experiences people with disabilities have? Then our Regional Capacity Building volunteer opportunity is for you! Regional Capacity Building focuses on promoting and sharing information about Positive Supports. The Arc is promoting information around Positive Supports regionally and will share recommendation with state leaders. Positive Supports are practices that improve quality of life for people with disabilities and does so in a culturally responsive way. The West Central, Twin Cities and Southern Regions of Minnesota each have a Regional Capacity Building Network. Regions will build partnerships and help strengthen their communities for people with disabilities. We seek individuals from diverse groups of people for this work, especially self-advocates and their trusted supporters. Come join us! Network Members will: Attend monthly Zoom meetings (schedule varies by region); time commitment 1-3 hours per monthWork on projects outside of meetings (optional)Share their expertiseHelp identify recommendations for regional and statewide improvementsIndividuals with a depth of lived experience from multiple groups of people are highly needed. We seek individuals who have the following experience or identities: Member of an underrepresented or culturally specific groupHave lived experience as a person with a disability or family memberKnowledge or experience with Positive Supports topics such as:Positive Behavioral SupportsPerson Centered Thinking and PracticesCulture of SafetyTrauma-Informed SupportsMotivational InterviewingCognitive Behavioral TherapySystems of CareWellness Recovery Action PlayWrap Around PlanningWant to learn more or volunteer? Contact the Director of Volunteer Resources at volunteernow@arcminnesota.org or you can complete this form. An Arc staff person will be in touch with you soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Become a Capitol Connector MemberCapitol Connector Teams build awareness about issues that impact Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These teams create a statewide, grassroots advocacy network. This network along with the Capitol Connector Teams focus on public policy, systems reform and disability justice. Working together, we can take action to create change and build power in Minnesota’s disability community. Capitol Connector Teams work to: create strong networks of support among self-advocates, people who have disabilities, family members, and other alliesbuild individual advocacy skillssupport larger grassroots advocacy effortscreate relationships with elected officials who work in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.take action on public policies and systems reform that impact Minnesotans who have disabilitiescreate recognition that the disability community as powerful, capable, and resilientbuild and mobilize the power of the disability community and their alliesTime commitment for Capitol Connector Team members are about 1-3 hours a month. Teams meet based on Congressional District and over Zoom. Learn more or to have staff connect with you, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Capitol Connector Teams build awareness about issues that impact Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These teams create a statewide, grassroots advocacy network. This network along with the Capitol Connector Teams focus on public policy, systems reform and disability justice. Working together, we can take action to create change and build power in Minnesota’s disability community. Capitol Connector Teams work to: create strong networks of support among self-advocates, people who have disabilities, family members, and other alliesbuild individual advocacy skillssupport larger grassroots advocacy effortscreate relationships with elected officials who work in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.take action on public policies and systems reform that impact Minnesotans who have disabilitiescreate recognition that the disability community as powerful, capable, and resilientbuild and mobilize the power of the disability community and their alliesTime commitment for Capitol Connector Team members are about 1-3 hours a month. Teams meet based on Congressional District and over Zoom. Learn more or to have staff connect with you, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Booths, Presentations & Community EventsThe Arc Minnesota is often asked to provide information in a presentation, at an informational booth or at a community event. Presentations are usually 1-2 hours and conducted by zoom. Booths and community events are usually 2-4 hours in length and in-person. The Arc seeks individuals comfortable engaging with community to share vital information on: the issues impacting the disability communitythe services and supports The Arc provides individuals with disabilities and their supportersthe Arc guides and videos we have available for individuals to access needed informationconnection opportunities to learn and growself advocacy programs and opportunities for leadership developmentIf the above is of interest to you, let us know. We can find a way to have you get involved in this vital service. Time commitment ranges from a few hours a month to a few hours over several months. This is a great opportunity to connect with others while sharing vital information. For more information or for staff follow up, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services The Arc Minnesota is often asked to provide information in a presentation, at an informational booth or at a community event. Presentations are usually 1-2 hours and conducted by zoom. Booths and community events are usually 2-4 hours in length and in-person. The Arc seeks individuals comfortable engaging with community to share vital information on: the issues impacting the disability communitythe services and supports The Arc provides individuals with disabilities and their supportersthe Arc guides and videos we have available for individuals to access needed informationconnection opportunities to learn and growself advocacy programs and opportunities for leadership developmentIf the above is of interest to you, let us know. We can find a way to have you get involved in this vital service. Time commitment ranges from a few hours a month to a few hours over several months. This is a great opportunity to connect with others while sharing vital information. For more information or for staff follow up, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 55101 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Get Out the VoteThe Arc believes all eligibile Minnesotans should know the importance of voting. When individuals vote, they chose elected officials who will make decisions about issues that may impact their life. By voting, Minnesotans have a chance to shape policies that may impact entire communities. The Arc Minnesota has a great toolkit that shares detailed information about the power of the vote. The tool kit informs people how to register to vote, the methods for voting absentee, how to find polling stations, contains a sample ballot and has important links for additional assistance. Learn more about this took kit here. The Arc Minnesota believes in the self-advocacy movement motto, “nothing about us without us." That includes voting! Time commitment can be a few hours on election day or numerous hours leading up to elections. Help overs feel empowered to vote and gain the skills needed to exercise their right to vote. If interested in volunteering for this opportunity, please complete this form. Staff will be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services The Arc believes all eligibile Minnesotans should know the importance of voting. When individuals vote, they chose elected officials who will make decisions about issues that may impact their life. By voting, Minnesotans have a chance to shape policies that may impact entire communities. The Arc Minnesota has a great toolkit that shares detailed information about the power of the vote. The tool kit informs people how to register to vote, the methods for voting absentee, how to find polling stations, contains a sample ballot and has important links for additional assistance. Learn more about this took kit here. The Arc Minnesota believes in the self-advocacy movement motto, “nothing about us without us." That includes voting! Time commitment can be a few hours on election day or numerous hours leading up to elections. Help overs feel empowered to vote and gain the skills needed to exercise their right to vote. If interested in volunteering for this opportunity, please complete this form. Staff will be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Zip Code: 55101 Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Parent to Parent ConnectParent to Parent Connect helps parents on their journey of supporting their child with a disability by mentoring, coaching and advising. To learn more or to sign up, please complete this form. Program: Public Policy & Program Services Parent to Parent Connect helps parents on their journey of supporting their child with a disability by mentoring, coaching and advising. To learn more or to sign up, please complete this form. Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring. Share Your Experience!The Arc Minnesota’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program aims to help people with disabilities and their support networks as they explore job options.
Through supported exploration, people with disabilities can make informed and self-directed decisions about their future. As Minnesota and employers move away from subminimum wage and into a competitive integrated employment (CIE) model, we can create a Minnesota that honors everyone by advancing the leadership of people with disabilities around employment. CIE is any job where people with disabilities earn the same pay and opportunities as those without disabilities. Led by The Arc Minnesota, the Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program is a multiagency effort to further the Minnesota Transformation Initiative Technical Assistance Center (MTI) contract with the Department of Human Services. The Arc’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program is looking for mentors. If you or a family member is competitively employed consider becoming a family mentor. By sharing your story you help others learn that competitive employment is possible. To learn more or for staff follow up, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services The Arc Minnesota’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program aims to help people with disabilities and their support networks as they explore job options.
Through supported exploration, people with disabilities can make informed and self-directed decisions about their future. As Minnesota and employers move away from subminimum wage and into a competitive integrated employment (CIE) model, we can create a Minnesota that honors everyone by advancing the leadership of people with disabilities around employment. CIE is any job where people with disabilities earn the same pay and opportunities as those without disabilities. Led by The Arc Minnesota, the Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program is a multiagency effort to further the Minnesota Transformation Initiative Technical Assistance Center (MTI) contract with the Department of Human Services. The Arc’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program is looking for mentors. If you or a family member is competitively employed consider becoming a family mentor. By sharing your story you help others learn that competitive employment is possible. To learn more or for staff follow up, please complete this form. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: No |
Volunteer: Regional Quality Council Group MemberJoin one of 3 Arc Regional Quality Councils to help examine and improve services for people with disabilities. The 3 Regional Quality Councils are located in southeast Minnesota (Olmsted, Wabasha and Houston counties), the Twin Cities (Dakota, Hennepin and Scott counties) and West Central areas (Clay, Grant , Otter Tail, Polk, and Pope counties). Individuals on the council include: people with disabilities, their families and alliespeople that work with people with disabilities, such as, case managers, social workers and providers of day programs, residential, and employment servicespeople from different cultures and backgroundspeople from the community that are interested in helpingMembers of the Regional Quality Councils: research the quality of services for people with disabilities in our area.use information from research and interviews with people with disabilities to learn about what services and changes are needed to improve quality of lifework together to come up with ideas on how to improve or change services based on what we learn.will examine what is working well for people with disabilitiesteach others about best practicesThe councils meet monthly. They plan and discuss what the councils are currently doing and what they need to do next. The councils also have smaller work groups to work on projects. Total time commitment is 2-5 hours per month. Let us know which council you are interested in connecting with. We will help you get involved! To sign up, learn more or for staff follow up, complete this form. Program: Public Policy & Program Services Join one of 3 Arc Regional Quality Councils to help examine and improve services for people with disabilities. The 3 Regional Quality Councils are located in southeast Minnesota (Olmsted, Wabasha and Houston counties), the Twin Cities (Dakota, Hennepin and Scott counties) and West Central areas (Clay, Grant , Otter Tail, Polk, and Pope counties). Individuals on the council include: people with disabilities, their families and alliespeople that work with people with disabilities, such as, case managers, social workers and providers of day programs, residential, and employment servicespeople from different cultures and backgroundspeople from the community that are interested in helpingMembers of the Regional Quality Councils: research the quality of services for people with disabilities in our area.use information from research and interviews with people with disabilities to learn about what services and changes are needed to improve quality of lifework together to come up with ideas on how to improve or change services based on what we learn.will examine what is working well for people with disabilitiesteach others about best practicesThe councils meet monthly. They plan and discuss what the councils are currently doing and what they need to do next. The councils also have smaller work groups to work on projects. Total time commitment is 2-5 hours per month. Let us know which council you are interested in connecting with. We will help you get involved! To sign up, learn more or for staff follow up, complete this form. Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Self-Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Ally SupportSelf-Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Ally Support
Self-advocacy is speaking for yourself and the things that are important to you. It also means having the right to make your own decisions and choices and accepting responsibility for them. Self-advocacy is used as a name for the civil rights movement for people with intellectial and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Self-advocacy is part of the broader civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s and is part of the disability rights movement. People who practice self-advocacy are called self-advocates. Self-advocacy includes understanding your rights and involves self-advocates:Communicating to others what you want and needSetting goals for what you want to achieve and do Making decisions for what is best for you and taking responsibility for your choices Being assertive and standing up for yourself in a respectful way Getting information to make informed decisions Finding solutions to problems that affect you Asking for help and support when you need itIf you are interested in becoming involved in The Arc's self-advocacy please complete the interest form below. The 4 components of self-advocacy are: Person First Many people with I/DD have been treated as less than human (dehumanized) throughout their lives. By saying they are a person first, individuals with I/DD want to be known as more than their disability. They deserve the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities. For this reason, many people with I/DD prefer person-first language. In person-first language, you say "people with developmental disabilities" or "person with Down syndrome". The self-advocacy movement is also very against the use of mental retardation, retarded, or any variation as there is a great deal of stigma and discrimination with the term. Self-Determination & Dignity of RiskSelf-determination is the right of all people to make their own choices. Choices are often denied to people with I/DD. People under guardianship do not get to make their own decisions about where they live and how they spend their money. Self-advocates work for the replacement of guardianship with supported decision making where people can make their own decisions, with support from friends, family or professionals. Dignity of risk is the idea that everyone has the right to make mistakes and to take risks. Many people with I/DD are stopped from making their own decisions, out of fear that they could make bad decisions. Dignity of risk says that the right to take risks and make mistakes is an essential human right. For example, a person with an intellectual disability could go to college, even if they might have trouble passing their classes. Community Living Community living is the idea people should live in the community and not in institutions. Institutions segregate people away from their homes, families and friends. People with I/DD should receive the supports that they need to live where they want to. This is also a core value of the independent living movement. Equal Employment & EducationSelf-advocates believe people with I/DD and other disabilities deserve the right for equal opportunities in all areas of life, especiallyin education and employment. Before the self-advocacy movement, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were not allowed to attend school. Families had to either keep their children with I/DD at home or send them to an institution. Institutions were supposed to provide education. Institutions specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were called state schools. However, the education provided was insufficient or nonexistent. These "schools" turned into warehouses, full of abuse and neglect. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for Handicapped Children Act (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This law entitles all children to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The law requires schools to provide students with accommodations and support to attend school. The least restrictive environment clause means that students must be, whenever possible, educated in mainstream classrooms with their non-disabled peers. Despite this, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are segregated in special education classrooms and not given the accommodations they need to succeed. Unfortunately, this segreagation also occurs in employment.If you wish to learn more or become a part of The Arc's Self-Advocacy program, please complete this form here. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Self-Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Ally Support
Self-advocacy is speaking for yourself and the things that are important to you. It also means having the right to make your own decisions and choices and accepting responsibility for them. Self-advocacy is used as a name for the civil rights movement for people with intellectial and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Self-advocacy is part of the broader civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s and is part of the disability rights movement. People who practice self-advocacy are called self-advocates. Self-advocacy includes understanding your rights and involves self-advocates:Communicating to others what you want and needSetting goals for what you want to achieve and do Making decisions for what is best for you and taking responsibility for your choices Being assertive and standing up for yourself in a respectful way Getting information to make informed decisions Finding solutions to problems that affect you Asking for help and support when you need itIf you are interested in becoming involved in The Arc's self-advocacy please complete the interest form below. The 4 components of self-advocacy are: Person First Many people with I/DD have been treated as less than human (dehumanized) throughout their lives. By saying they are a person first, individuals with I/DD want to be known as more than their disability. They deserve the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities. For this reason, many people with I/DD prefer person-first language. In person-first language, you say "people with developmental disabilities" or "person with Down syndrome". The self-advocacy movement is also very against the use of mental retardation, retarded, or any variation as there is a great deal of stigma and discrimination with the term. Self-Determination & Dignity of RiskSelf-determination is the right of all people to make their own choices. Choices are often denied to people with I/DD. People under guardianship do not get to make their own decisions about where they live and how they spend their money. Self-advocates work for the replacement of guardianship with supported decision making where people can make their own decisions, with support from friends, family or professionals. Dignity of risk is the idea that everyone has the right to make mistakes and to take risks. Many people with I/DD are stopped from making their own decisions, out of fear that they could make bad decisions. Dignity of risk says that the right to take risks and make mistakes is an essential human right. For example, a person with an intellectual disability could go to college, even if they might have trouble passing their classes. Community Living Community living is the idea people should live in the community and not in institutions. Institutions segregate people away from their homes, families and friends. People with I/DD should receive the supports that they need to live where they want to. This is also a core value of the independent living movement. Equal Employment & EducationSelf-advocates believe people with I/DD and other disabilities deserve the right for equal opportunities in all areas of life, especiallyin education and employment. Before the self-advocacy movement, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were not allowed to attend school. Families had to either keep their children with I/DD at home or send them to an institution. Institutions were supposed to provide education. Institutions specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were called state schools. However, the education provided was insufficient or nonexistent. These "schools" turned into warehouses, full of abuse and neglect. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for Handicapped Children Act (now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This law entitles all children to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). The law requires schools to provide students with accommodations and support to attend school. The least restrictive environment clause means that students must be, whenever possible, educated in mainstream classrooms with their non-disabled peers. Despite this, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are segregated in special education classrooms and not given the accommodations they need to succeed. Unfortunately, this segreagation also occurs in employment.If you wish to learn more or become a part of The Arc's Self-Advocacy program, please complete this form here. We'll be in touch soon! Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Support the Minnesota Inclusion InitiativeThe Minnesota Inclusion Initiative
The self-advocacy movement has helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) understand their human and civil rights, learn about public policy, and share personal stories. In spite of this training and skill-building, people with I/DD are still fighting to overcome a history of segregation in institutional settings. They also face many barriers in securing employment, accessing transportation, fulfilling their right to vote, and being respected as equal members of society. Together, we can ensure people with I/DD are actively & meaningfully included in their communities, and support self-advocates in overcoming systemic barriers to inclusion.By establishing microgrants for self-advocacy groups statewide, the Minnesota Inclusion Initiative will support people with I/DD in organizing community-based projects that: raise awareness about barriers to inclusion address obstacles to employment, transportation, housing, accessibility, and voting; increase engagement of self-advocates in their communities promote and protect the human rights of Minnesotans with I/DD.Supporting the Minnesota Inclusion Initiative will help ensure that people with intellectual & developmental disabilities are meaningfully included in all communities. Come join us! Learn more or for staff follow up, click here. Program: Public Policy & Program Services The Minnesota Inclusion Initiative
The self-advocacy movement has helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) understand their human and civil rights, learn about public policy, and share personal stories. In spite of this training and skill-building, people with I/DD are still fighting to overcome a history of segregation in institutional settings. They also face many barriers in securing employment, accessing transportation, fulfilling their right to vote, and being respected as equal members of society. Together, we can ensure people with I/DD are actively & meaningfully included in their communities, and support self-advocates in overcoming systemic barriers to inclusion.By establishing microgrants for self-advocacy groups statewide, the Minnesota Inclusion Initiative will support people with I/DD in organizing community-based projects that: raise awareness about barriers to inclusion address obstacles to employment, transportation, housing, accessibility, and voting; increase engagement of self-advocates in their communities promote and protect the human rights of Minnesotans with I/DD.Supporting the Minnesota Inclusion Initiative will help ensure that people with intellectual & developmental disabilities are meaningfully included in all communities. Come join us! Learn more or for staff follow up, click here. Program: Public Policy & Program Services Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Flexible Allow Groups: No |