advocacy
Pioneers in Advocacy
Harc, Inc. advocates for the human and civil rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families so they can live their best lives with the support they need to be as independent as possible.
Harc educates policymakers, key stakeholders, and the community about the needs of the people we support and advocates for legislation that furthers our mission.
Each year Harc establishes an Advocacy Agenda identifying the barriers that prevent people from achieving independence, full community involvement, and appropriate services.
Our Advocacy Priorities
- Increase allocation to providers to meet market demands for wages for staff and nurses.
- Increase funding for professional development opportunities for Direct Support Professionals as they grow and develop their personal skill sets.
- Ensure that individuals of all abilities have the support they need to work, learn marketable job skills and actively engage in their community through access to postsecondary and vocational education to improve career opportunities for people with I/DD.
- Encourage employers and state agencies to hire and retain people with I/DD into competitive wage positions and customized jobs that meet and/or exceed current state and federal mandates while still allowing business partners to take advantage of proposed and current tax incentives.
- Increase DDS funding to expand residential options and eliminate the waiting list and so that everyone can live where they choose.
- Increase access to affordable, accessible housing while providing supports that meet the individual’s needs, including increased funding for adaptive and SMART technology so that people with I/DD can live as independently as possible.
- Continue to include people with I/DD in transportation development conversations as upgrades and new project task forces are formed and begin working.
- Increase availability of transportation that is accessible, affordable and on demand for people of all abilities.
- Improve access to quality health, dental and behavioral care for individuals with I/DD by developing curriculum to train practitioners in personal care and medical positions so that they have a deeper understanding of special needs faced by this community
Have a Harc Day
Held every year typically but not always on Valentine’s Day, Have a Harc Day brings together Harc individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and supporters at the Connecticut State Capitol for a day of advocacy and connection. This meaningful event highlights Harc’s mission while engaging policymakers, who hear firsthand about the impact that funding and supportive policies have on individuals with IDD and their families.
Why Valentine’s Day? We chose Valentine’s Day to emphasize the heart behind our mission and the importance of compassionate support for people of all abilities. Have a Harc Day is a day of both advocacy and love—love for community, inclusion, and a brighter future for everyone.
What Happens on Have a Harc Day? Each Have a Harc Day offers participants the opportunity to:
- Meet and engage with Connecticut legislators who shape policies impacting the IDD community
- Share personal stories that illustrate the importance of access, funding, and inclusive opportunities
- Stand together with family members, staff, and advocates to amplify the voices of individuals with IDD
What’s Happening? Harc’s Self-Advocates Club
Harc’s Self-Advocacy Group, What’s Happening, empowers people with intellectual disabilities to have a voice in their community.
Participants advocate for the services they need to live more self determined lives. Self-Advocates help train new employees, advise Harc’s boards and committees, influence public policy and Harc’s advocacy agenda, and share their stories.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, September through June, at Harc’s headquarters at 900 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT.
To learn more about What's Happening, contact Harc.
How Can You get involved?
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Attend our legislative events.
- Contact your elected officials about issues of concern to you and your family. Find your elected officials here.
- To invite and coordinate a tour of Harc with your legislator, please click here.
Accessing Harc’s Services
Regardless of the town of residence, each family has a choice of provider agencies in their area. To request Harc as your provider for disability support services, visit the 2-1-1 website or call Harc.
For more information, please contact us.