Advocacy

Arc of MN has branch offices throughout the state. Arc Minnesota promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities. 

Advocates provide personalized information, navigation, and referrals on disability issues and systems for people of all ages. Arc also engages people in public policy advocacy to protect and promote the human rights of people with disabilities.

Eight centers provide support throughout the state called the Minnesota Association Centers for Independent Living (MACIL). Centers offer a wide variety of services. Five are essential to efforts of people with disabilities to live independently, including information and referral, independent living skills training, peer mentoring, advocacy, transition and other services.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) provides Individualized Education Plan (IEP) advocacy and support for parents. A  wide variety of parent training opportunities are also available.

Whether you are the parent of a child with a new diagnosis, an adult with autism who needs guidance, an educator or health care professional who supports people with autism, or a company that wants to learn more about the talents of people with autism, Autism Society of Minnesota (AUSM) offers the resources you need to help you accomplish your goals.

Family Voices of Minnesota offers a program called CONNECTED: a free state-wide parent-to-parent peer support program for families whose children have chronic or complex special healthcare needs or disabilities. You may also call for support at 866-334-8444 to get connected with resources, information and other parents who understand what families are going through.

There are a number of councils or advisory groups you can join. The Minnesota Department of Administration has a Council on Developmental Disabilities that provides information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self-determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Visit MN Council on Disability for more information on policy, training, technical resources and collaborations.

The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has information on councils, boards and commissions throughout Minnesota. Serving on a Minnesota state board, council, or committee is a great way to get involved in your local community and help make an impact.

Partners in Policy-making is designed to give people with disabilities and their families the resources and skills to communicate effectively with elected officials to make positive changes in the way people with disabilities live, work and are educated, as well as enjoy the benefits of being actively involved in their communities.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Advocating Change Together (ACT) is a disability rights organization run by and for people with developmental and other disabilities. ACT empowers groups of people with disabilities to take control over their lives while also working to break down barriers that prevent the larger disability community from living, working, and playing side-by-side with everyone else.

RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization led by diverse people with disabilities and allies. The organizations mission is to fight stigma, promote diversity, advance opportunities and leadership development.

Minnesota Autistic Alliance is a program that teaches a person with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf. MN Autistic Alliance serves all people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with a specialization in supporting people with autism. Training and support aims to help people learn to:

• Collect and understand information
• Connect with others and build meaningful relationships
• Direct their own services
• Assert and communicate for themselves
• Understand and promote their own rights
• Make decisions about their life and the supports they need
• Share their wants and needs

Minnesota Neurodivergent Education Advocacy and Therapy Services supports meaningful inclusion of neurodivergent people across the lifespan. They provide:

• Guidance: Provide mentorship and education to professionals and the community by neurodivergent people using strength- and relationship-based models.
• Support: Support self-advocacy in the neurodivergent community by creating customized materials and education designed by neurodivergent people.
• Network: Develop and support a network of therapy professionals dedicated to providing services that are congruent with the values of the neurodivergent community.

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) are groups that provide input on special education services to their local school district. Minnesota law requires each school district in the state to have a SEAC although it does not specify how the groups should be organized or what duties they should perform. As a result, each SEAC may have a unique mission and structure.

In special education, parents have rights. 

If there continues to be problems and misunderstandings arising in special education, the first step is to have the school meet with the parents or guardians, often with a mediator. Read more about mediation. 

IEPs for Students with Disabilities fact sheet 

Identifying and Evaluating Students fact sheet 

Special Education Transition Planning fact sheet (PDF)

School Discipline of Students with Disabilities fact sheet 

How to file a Complaint with the Minnesota Division of Compliance and Assistance 

The Ombudsman (om-budz-muhn) is an independent governmental official who receives complaints about government and contracted agencies and/or its officials, who investigates, and who if the complaints are justified, takes action to remedy the complaints. The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities page for client services includes information on an individual's rights, filing complaints, medical review and civil commitment training information.

Military sources indicate that more than 13,000 military dependents, the majority of them children, have some form of autism. Their families face challenges navigating the complex system, compounded by the realities of military service: war, extended family separation, frequent moves, varying access to specialized healthcare, and other stressors that complicate and often work against effective treatment for children with autism. These families need help navigating these uncharted and difficult waters. The Organization for Autism Research created A Guide for Military Families (PDF) and a website Operation Autism. These resources provide:

• An understanding of autism and related intervention and treatment
• An overview of the Department of Defense (DoD) and service policies related to having a child with autism
• Information on autism treatment options and coverage within the military healthcare system
• Practical information and tools to guide your child’s education
• Tips and advice relative to transitions such as permanent change of station (PCS) moves, new schools and more
• Links to additional resources relative to autism and military families. 

For more information, visit the MN Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Children’s Mental Health and Family Services Collaborative organizations in Minnesota help address the needs of children and youth faced with complex healthcare needs, maximize results and resources by enhancing coordination and reducing duplication among systems and involve communities, particularly families, in system redesign and implementation so their needs are effectively met. There are different collaborative organizations located throughout the state (PDF). Search the Collaborative Directory (PDF) to find a collaborative near you.

Maangaar Global is dedicated to advocating for, educating, and raising awareness about the needs and rights of individuals with special needs and their families. They aim to provide comprehensive resources and information sharing, to empower families to navigate the complex landscape of special needs services and supports. They are committed to creating a supportive community through parent-to-parent networks that foster connection, understanding, and growth.