Advocacy
Services
Understanding Advocacy
How does The Arc of Larimer County provide Advocacy?
Advocacy is acting with or on behalf of an individual or class in the least intrusive manner to resolve an issue or obtain a needed support or service. Advocacy is essential in maintaining or improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. It is vital in improving and sustaining quality of life for our constituents.
The Arc of Larimer County states it only provides Advocacy support to people with developmental disability. What does this mean?
The Arc of Larimer County recognizes that many people with disabilities need advocacy support. Advocacy can only be provided to those individuals who meet the state definition for developmental disability. That definition is as follows: Persons with a developmental disability are those who have a “disability that is manifested before the person reaches twenty-two years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation” (CRS 27-10.5-102). For children under five years of age, eligibility is based on determination of either a developmental delay or factors putting the child at risk of having a developmental disability.
What you can I expect from my Advocate?
Arc of Larimer County advocates are knowledgeable, trained, and grounded in basic principles respecting the rights and dignity of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Arc of Larimer County advocates will communicate effectively with the individuals they serve. They will encourage their client to express and act on their thoughts, choices, and feelings about the issues and proposed solutions. The advocate and the individual must be able to understand each other. The advocate will exercise great care to ensure that the person with developmental disabilities fully understands the benefits and risks of any decision. In making decisions, the advocate will encourage the people they serve to consult with the important people in their lives. Advocates have an ethical obligation to represent the desires and needs of the person they represent, regardless of their own personal opinions.
How can I get an Advocate?
To receive advocacy services call The Arc of Larimer County’s office at 970.204.6991 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
People 1st
People 1st of Larimer County is a group of adult self-advocates who come together on a monthly basis to learn how to advocate for themselves and their friends.
“Nothing about us, without us”
People 1st members also participate in state and national events in an effort to provide a voice for the thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities in the United States. Our local People 1st group meets the last Friday of every month at the Fort Collins Senior Center (located at 1200 Raintree Dr Fort Collins, CO 80526) at 4:30 pm.