The Arc of California

09/09/2026

📣 Take action for students with high support needs!

AB 2526 has passed the California Legislature and is now on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk awaiting his review and signature.

The bill would expand access to targeted special education funding for students who are eligible to take California’s alternate assessments. These students may require intensive instruction, specialized staff, therapies, equipment and other essential services included in their Individualized Education Programs.

Parents, educators, advocates and community members can help move this legislation across the finish line.

Visit https://actnow.thearcca.org to email or call Governor Newsom and urge him to sign AB 2526 into law. Then share this action alert so others can participate.

Thank you to Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi who authored this bill and has championed it throughout the process. Here is a link to the bill: https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB2526/id/3456671

09/08/2026

📣 Special education advocacy is making a difference in California.

In this special edition of the Arc Beacon, The Arc of California Executive Director Jordan Lindsey shares exciting news: California has approved $2.4 million over three years to create the California Special Education Parent Advocacy Network.

This funding advances the central goal of AB 2189, sponsored by The Arc of California and authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, and will support statewide organizing, advocacy training and leadership development for parents of students with disabilities.

Jordan also highlights the next opportunity to make a difference. AB 2526 is now on Governor Newsom’s desk and would expand funding for students with high support needs.

Watch the Arc Beacon to learn about this important progress and how you can help keep the momentum going.

Take action at actnow.thearcca.org (https://arcca.quorum.us/campaign/169187/)

09/02/2026

📣 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2nd Annual National Disability Caregivers Conference by Caring Futures!

Join caregivers, advocates, professionals and experts from across the country for two FREE virtual days of learning, connection and support on October 6–7. Register today at https://www.caringfutures.org/conference

This year’s conference will explore the issues that matter throughout the caregiving journey, including housing, future and estate planning, public benefits, caregiver mental health and well-being, disability rights, advocacy, supported decision-making and more.

🌟 Featured Opening Speakers

Kate Swenson, author, speaker and creator of Finding Cooper's Voice, will open Day 1 with "Finding Connection Through the Caregiving Journey."

Amanda Griffith-Atkins, LMFT, therapist, author, speaker and parent-advocate, will open Day 2 with "Caring for Yourself When It’s More Than You Can Handle."

Plus, hear from an incredible lineup of experts, advocates and people with lived experience during practical sessions and engaging panel discussions. More presenters will be announced soon!

📅 October 6–7, 2026
💻 Virtual
💙 FREE to attend
🤟 ASL interpretation available
🗣️ Spanish-language interpretation available

A HUGE thank you to our sponsors for making this FREE event possible: Tierra del Sol Foundation, Public Partnerships PPL, Undivided: Supporting Parents Raising Kids with Disabilities and Judy Clendenin, Faria Accountancy Corp, Kelli Faria
and Felisa Strickland.

When caregivers are supported, everyone benefits!

Register today at https://www.caringfutures.org/conference

The NDCC is presented by The Arc of California and Caring Across Generations


We Are Brave Together Dr. Zoe Shaw Partners4Housing The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

09/01/2026

📣 Building What Comes Next
The Arc of California has a new three-year roadmap for advancing the rights, opportunities and full inclusion of Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
In a new Arc Beacon, Executive Director Jordan Lindsey shares what our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan means for the future of our work and offers a heartfelt thank you to the people with disabilities, families, advocates, chapters and community partners whose voices and commitment continue to move our mission forward.

Over the next three years, we will work together to:
🔸 Protect and strengthen services and supports
🔸 Fix system gaps to advance equity and access
🔸 Expand influence and opportunity for lasting change

There are many ways to be part of what comes next: advocate with us, share our work, partner with us, sponsor an initiative or event, or make a contribution to help sustain our mission at SupportTheArc.org

🎥 Watch Jordan’s Arc Beacon video message below, and explore our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan: https://thearcca.org/our-roadmap-for-the-next-three-years/

08/27/2026

California’s shortage of qualified special education teachers is real, and students and families are feeling the impact. But how we respond to that shortage matters.

The Arc of California opposes AB 2490, which would create a new pathway allowing substitute teachers with limited experience and preparation to remain in a general or special education classroom for up to 70 days, nearly 40% of the school year.

We recognize the difficult staffing challenges facing schools and the importance of consistency for students. At the same time, students with disabilities deserve educators who are appropriately prepared to understand and implement IEPs, provide specialized instruction and accommodations, and support their individual communication and behavioral needs.

California needs long-term solutions that recruit, prepare and retain qualified special education teachers while protecting the educational rights of students with disabilities.

Read more about AB 2490 and why The Arc of California is urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the bill:
https://thearcca.org/why-the-arc-of-california-opposes-ab-2490

08/26/2026

You didn’t know that I knew. … You didn’t know that I was smart.”

For years, Yanling believed her nonspeaking son with autism, Yi, did not fully understand what was happening around him.

Then Yi found a reliable way to communicate through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), spelling and typing.

In our latest Community Voices guest blog, Yanling reflects on the painful assumptions her family once made, what Yi taught them, and why we must never equate the inability to speak with the inability to think, understand or feel.

Today, Yi is a published author, student, writer, presenter and advocate. His abilities were always there. What changed was his access to communication.

“Everyone deserves to communicate!” — Yi

Read “You Didn’t Know That I Was Smart” and Yanling’s powerful lesson about communication, assumptions and presuming competence: https://thearcca.org/you-didnt-know-that-i-was-smart/

08/21/2026

📣 Help shape The Arc of California’s priorities for the coming year.

The 2026 Disability Community Impact Survey is now open. We want to understand how California’s disability community is doing, including:

✅ What services and supports are working well
✅ Where people are experiencing barriers
✅ How policy changes are affecting the community
✅ What The Arc of California should prioritize next

The anonymous survey takes approximately 10 minutes and is intended for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, caregivers, professionals, advocates and others directly connected to the disability community.

Every response strengthens our ability to advocate effectively and communicate what our community needs and values to California’s legislative leaders.

Complete the survey:
English: https://form.jotform.com/262176452411048
Spanish: https://form.jotform.com/262307050495151

Please share this post and help us hear from communities throughout California.

08/20/2026

📣 Which disability bills are still moving in Sacramento?

A major legislative deadline has passed, and several bills supported by The Arc & UCP California Collaboration are one step closer to the Governor’s desk.

The good news: Key bills addressing special education, home and community-based services, autism care, the direct support professional workforce, special needs trusts, and timely payments to nonprofits are still moving forward.

But not every priority made it through, and AB 2490, a bill we oppose because of concerns about the extended use of substitute teachers in special education classrooms, also advanced.

With only a few weeks left in California’s 2026 legislative session, the decisions happening now could have a real impact on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, and the workforce that supports them.

🔎 Which bills advanced? Which stopped for the year? And what are we advocating for next?

Read the full August Legislative Update from Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy for The Arc & UCP California Collaboration, at https://thearcca.org/news-room/blog/

08/18/2026

🎙️ What drives someone to become a disability advocate?

For Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy for The Arc & United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration, it’s both professional and deeply personal.

Julie recently joined Melissa Fitch on the Raising Ryan podcast for a candid conversation about her journey into disability advocacy, including her family’s experience navigating a system with significant gaps after her husband experienced a traumatic brain injury.

They also dive into some of the biggest issues facing California’s disability community right now, including:

🔹 Strengthening the voice of parents and self-advocates in special education policy
🔹 The future of special education advocacy in California
🔹 Protecting IHSS and regional center services
🔹 Changes to Medi-Cal eligibility and asset limits
🔹 Why organizing and sharing our stories matters in Sacramento

It’s a great opportunity to get to know Julie beyond the Capitol and hear more about the passion and personal experience she brings to her work on behalf of Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
🎧 Listen to the conversation at https://open.spotify.com/show/56uNj5wdmcFeXISHRQS5Ak

Check out this week’s show!!! Julie Schurman- Director of Public Policy, The Arc Of California & United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration joins host Melissa Fitch for a conversation about disability policy, special education, parent advocacy, and why families need a stronger Voice in Sacramento. Every Voice matters every story matters! 👉Follow “Raising Ryan” for more conversations about the issues that matter! Link in bio!

08/05/2026

Caregivers deserve support, too. 🙌

The Arc of California is proud to announce the return of the National Disability Caregivers Conference, a FREE, two-day virtual event taking place October 6-7, 2026.

This year, we're excited to partner with Caring Across Generations to bring together family caregivers, self-advocates, professionals, and experts from across the country for two days of education, connection, and practical resources that support every stage of the caregiving journey.

💙 Registration opens in September.

BECOME A CONFERENCE SPONSOR! 🙏

We're currently seeking corporate, foundation, individual and community partners who share our commitment to supporting family caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a sponsor, you'll help keep this national educational event free and accessible while demonstrating your organization's commitment to strengthening families and building more inclusive communities.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? We'd love to connect.

📧 Contact Tyler Hershey at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities. Learn more at https://www.caringfutures.org/conference