Self Advocacy
The United
Arc
of Franklin and Hampshire Counties
Self-advocacy means speaking
up for oneself. The United Arc sponsors
two self-advocacy groups which offer peer support,
leadership development, social events and
learning opportunities for adults with mental
retardation or other developmental disabilities.
The
Frontier Club involves
members from the North Quabbin area. Meetings
are held Tuesday evenings, 5:45 – 7:30
PM at 100 Main Street, Athol, MA.
The Pioneer Club draws
its membership from central Franklin County. Meetings
are held Thursday evenings, 6 – 8
PM at The Arc Common, 20 Main Street,
Greenfield, MA.
Membership in each club is voluntary
and each club charges modest weekly dues. Local
transportation is available to those who need
assistance in getting to club meetings. Both
clubs maintain connections with other
self-advocacy groups in western Massachusetts,
statewide activities sponsored through
Massachusetts Advocacy Standing Strong
and national activities sponsored by
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered.
For more information about each club
or to receive club calendars and newsletters
contact The United Arc at 413-774-5558
or email arc@unitedarc.org. “Self advocacy is about independent
groups of people with disabilities working
together for justice by helping each other
take charge of our lives and fight discrimination. It
teaches us how to make decisions and choices
that affect our lives so we can be more independent. It
teaches us about our rights, but along with
learning about our rights we learn responsibilities. The
way we learn about advocating for ourselves
is by supporting each other and helping
each other gain confidence in ourselves
so we can speak out for what we believe
in.”
Definition
from Self Advocacy Becoming Empowered
Written
in 1993
Mission
Statement: "The Arc will lead in forging a
society that values, respects, includes, and recognizes
the contribution of community members with disabilities."
