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Announcement: SLN/Arc Partner on New Sibling InitiativesFYI

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Ellen Garber Bronfeld

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Announcement: SLN/Arc Partner on New Sibling Initiatives

For Immediate Release

Contact: McKiernan

December 15, 2011

202-534-3712

The Arc Announces Major Initiatives for Siblings of People with Intellectual and

Developmental Disabilities

Washington, DC – The Arc of the United States is building on the foundation of

the organization, founded by families over 60 years ago, by announcing two major

initiatives for siblings of people with intellectual and developmental

disabilities (I/DD) – a new partnership with the national Sibling Leadership

Network(SLN), and the formation of The Arc’s National Sibling Council.

The leadership and active involvement of siblings is critical to ensuring the

full inclusion and participation of their loved ones in all aspects of community

life. These exciting new initiatives seek to connect siblings as an important

segment of the disability movement to impact policy, service delivery, and the

quality of life for the millions of Americans with I/DD. The Arc’s new

sibling initiatives will also provide the necessary support to siblings who are

looking for resources and answers to questions unique to them and their

family’s future.

“Families, including siblings, built The Arc into what it is today, and these

initiatives build upon their decades-long work in the disability movement.

Siblings don’t always recognize their own unique ability to impact their loved

one’s life, and the lives of millions of other siblings just like them across

the country, just by banding together, supporting each other, and speaking

up,†said V. Berns, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc.

Berns added: “There is a tremendous opportunity in communities throughout the

country to harness the power of siblings as advocates, working hand-in-hand with

their brothers and sisters with I/DD, as a force for change. Siblings are a

critical part of the movement to protect the rights of people with I/DD to be

included in society.â€

Founded in 2007, the mission of the SLN is to provide siblings of individuals

with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their

brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their

entire families. Under this new partnership, the two organizations will develop

and offer dedicated programming for siblings at The Arc’s National Convention

and other events, including distance learning based programs on topics of

interest to siblings, volunteers and professionals of The Arc on sibling issues.

They will also create networking opportunities for siblings using social media

tools, support the development of sibling services at state and local chapters

of The Arc, and work to establish state and local chapters of the SLN.

“Siblings represent the longest lasting relationship many experience. As we

age, siblings who were once rivals grow closer and we come to rely on each other

for essential support, particularly as parents age. Through our partnership with

The Arc, we believe that we can make a difference in the long term natural

supports of people with disabilities by providing their brothers and sisters the

information they need through welcoming communities. By getting siblings

involved in the game earlier and more often, we think it can allow siblings and

people with disabilities to have more control over the involvement of family in

support across the lifespan,†said Kramer, Sibling and Chair of The

Sibling Leadership Network.

Born out of this partnership will be the creation of The Arc’s National

Sibling Council. This new initiative of The Arc will offer opportunities for

networking and support to siblings and their families, build a broad network of

siblings that support the advocacy and programmatic efforts of The Arc at all

levels, offer leadership development and training through involvement in

standing and ad hoc committees and task forces of The Arc, and provide

face-to-face and online networking and social opportunities. In addition, The

Council will be a place that siblings of individuals with I/DD that may be new

to or overwhelmed by their role can turn to when they need guidance or support

in situations unique to their family.

The Arc’s National Sibling Council welcomes all siblings and those who support

siblings who are members of The Arc either at the local, state or national

level. Those interested in becoming Contributors to the Council, by donating

additional funds, will ensure the establishment and sustainability of this

essential new program. Go to our websiteto learn more about and join the

National Sibling Council and take the opportunity to become a Contributor.

“Being a sibling of a person with I/DD is interesting, funny, frustrating,

proud, challenging, loving and respectful. Growing up with my sister Martha, I

could usually convince my parents to let her try something they were worried

that she could not do by telling them that I would do it with her. How amazing

it would have been to hear another sibling’s stories - to learn how to manage

something differently, to share anger, to boast of an achievement that to my

friends might seem trivial, but another sibling ‘knows’ the triumph. The

Sibling Leadership Network and The Arc’s National Sibling Council are

welcoming networks that identify with siblings, help them connect with

information and with other siblings, and learn how to partner and to

advocate,†said Webster, Vice President of the National Board of The Arc

of the United States and a sibling of a sister with I/DD.

The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome,

autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses.

The Arc has a network of over 700 chapters across the country promoting and

protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their

full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and

without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not

The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

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