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The Arc of San Francisco, in collaboration with The Arc of the United States and UCP, supports the proposed Social Security Administration Mental Disorders regulations.
SSA has published the proposed regulations and the criteria used to help determine whether an individual with intellectual disability, mental illness, autism, Alzheimer's, traumatic injury or other cognitive or mental disorders is disabled for purposes of the SSI (Social Security Income) program or the Social Security disability programs.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THESE PROPOSED REGULATIONS: CLICK HERE.

Thank you for your support!

Tim
Tim Hornbecker
CEO

Senator Yee Honored

What Senator Leland Yee says, he means! He emphatically told us that the State Budget should not be balanced on the backs of people with disabilities. He would not vote for a budget that added another 1.25% cut to the rates of services for people with developmental disabilities, as well as a cut of 3.6% in hours to people receiving In Home Support Services (IHSS).
Because of his unpopular vote that clashed with the majority of the State Senate, Senator Yee lost his Senate leadership position as assistant president pro tempore. For his bold support of people with developmental disabilities, The Arc of California is honoring him with the Profile in Courage Award at their public policy conference in March 2011.

Thank you, Senator Yee, for your integrity and your courage to go against your fellow politicians who told us the same, but voted for the cuts to the elderly and people with disabilities.

Tim

Tim Hornbecker, CEO

Work, Sweat and Dignity

Close to fifty clients of The Arc converged on McKinley Square Park today in response to a call for help to clean, clear, weed and restore the small but beautiful park that sits at the top of Potrero Hill.
Billy was among the group and I was curious to see how he'd respond to this new experience. Billy is a young man with severe autism. His speech is limited and when I see him at The Arc's offices, he's often pacing around the lunchroom or sitting in a corner rocking back and forth. He sometimes hits himself repetitively.
But today was different.
At first, he stood apart from the group studying the other Arc clients who were raking dead branches on the park hillside.
It was clear he wanted to get involved, but didn't know how.
Eventually, one of the park gardeners took him aside and helped him put on some gloves. He then patiently showed Billy how to pick up a few fallen branches and bring them to the big pile of slash at the top of the hill. Billy listened quietly and then started gathering branches for the pile. Not just any branch would do--he was selective. But when he had an armful, up the hill he went, joining the line of other guys as the big slash pile grew and grew.
Over and over again, Billy made the trek up the hill with his small pile of carefully chosen branches. He stayed on task, going up and down in the hot sun without complaint. Occasionally, his friends would give him a shout of encouragement; their spirit of camaraderie and support was infectious.
A small smile crept over his face and stayed there--all morning.
I see Billy every day at The Arc. But I have never seen him as quiet, as focused or involved in anything as he was today.
It's great that the folks at McKinley Park welcomed The Arc volunteers. It's good for our clients, our community and the parks we love.
But what our clients' enthusiasm says to me more than anything is: "We want to work."
People with developmental disabilities don't want handouts or charity. Or pity. Like everyone else, they want a job that makes them feel useful, doing something that really matters and earning a decent wage in the process.
Sure, not everyone on the hillside today was working at the same level of productivity. It was hot; it was heavy lifting. But even those sidelined by limitations had responsibilities; handing out water bottles or watching the backpacks--everyone had a job to do.
Billy and other people with Down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy can learn--that's clear. And then they need a place to apply their abilities.
When people are denied the opportunity to work, they are denied respect and acknowledgment of their worth. Conversely, people who work have the means to express their individuality and realize their potential as human beings.
Teaching Billy new tasks takes a little more time and effort, but isn't it worth it?
Let's think about how we can put more Arc clients to work. 4 hours a day or 4 hours a week, I can promise you that you'll find no more dedicated, loyal--and grateful--employees than clients from The Arc.
To help someone become a real adult in the real working world--it's giving back at a level that's truly transformational. To change someone's entire life through no more than a simple part-time job is an accomplishment we can all be proud of.
If quality of life in San Francisco really means something to us, we've got to put more people with developmental disabilities where they belong: in our workforce.

Meredith Manning

Community Relations

Bill to Restore Services Passes

At the request of The Arc and Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro, the state has agreed to send notices to all regional centers advising them that people with developmental disabilites still have the right to participate in planning their own services.

This is a huge step for people whose services were reduced, eliminated or changed in any way without Individual Program Plan (IPP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team meetings, and for anyone who faces that disturbing possibility in the future.

Thank you sincerely to the hundreds of you who responded to The Arc's action alerts this year and sent emails supporting our bill to assure that our community keeps the right to IPP/IFSP meetings. It was Assembly Bill 2702, sponsored by The Arc and introduced for us by Assembly Member Chesbro.

Greg deGiere, The Arc of California

No Limits!

I was really inspired today at the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at City Hall.
Two decades ago, barriers such as high sidewalks, inaccessible busses, unreadable signage and ramp-less buildings barred millions from leading fuller, more productive lives.
Then came the lawsuits.
As Mayor Newsom said at today's celebration, it took legal action to ensure that all San Franciscan's have equal access to transportation, public services, employment and telecommunications.
The Arc of San Francisco, along with a coalition of other activists, worked hard to make sure we keep Golden Gate Park accessible.
Today, I stood with Supervisor Bevan Dufty who acknowledged the many battles won, but also the work ahead as LGBTQ people with disabilities challenge everyone to look at our assumptions about inclusion and equal access.
Viewing the Disability Pride quilt with all of our clients attending this event, I was proud to be a part of a movement that has transformed the lives of so many.
Let's see what the next 20 years will bring! No limits!
Tim
Tim Hornbecker
CEO

Photo: John at City Hall with the Disability Pride quilt.

Tony's Hookups and Karaoke

One of our more successful microenterprises is packing the house these days: Tony's Hookups.

Tony hosted a social and karaoke party last week--within minutes of opening doors to the event, there was standing room only for all the clients who came to sing, dance and hang out with friends.

Tony put a business plan together with help from his instructor months ago, and all his hard work is paying off. He charges $2/month to be a member of the social club; parties are another $2.oo and include refreshments and snacks.

Impresario Tony runs the show from his 'chair, surrounded by his assistants, "Tony's Angels."

Stay tuned for more news from our growing client microenterprises!

Tim

Tim Hornbecker, CEO

Big Healthy Salad

Hi. I'm Helen and I want to share my recipe for a big healthy salad. You can make it for you and your friends like I did.

HEALTHY SALAD
2 avocados
2 head of lettuce
1 cabbage
2 carrots
2 cucumbers
2 cloves garlic
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 lb. chicken breasts
2 teaspoons hot and spicy bake mix
2 eggs

Boil eggs and slice afterwards. Wash and drain lettuce. Shred. Slice avocados, cucumbers, garlic and carrots. Wash garlic and chicken breasts then cut into small pieces. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil and wait for it to get hot. Add garlic, chicken, hot and spicy bake mix and salt. Heat rest of olive oil and wait for it to get hot. Then turn off heat and wait for cool down. Combine with rice vingar, beat well or mix well. Serve and smile!