The Arc Maryland Announces New Policy Partner Program Manager

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Jan. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Richard Davis has been selected as the Policy Partner Program Manager of The Arc Maryland, the state’s largest-not-for profit statewide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Most recently, Richard was chosen as the 2013 Disability Policy Leadership Fellow for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).  His responsibilities as a Fellow included organizing grassroots initiatives in several states to ratify the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Disabilities (CRPD); attending congressional briefings, coalition meetings and committee hearings on legislative issues; contributing to the Policy Action Center with action alerts, press  releases and letter writing campaigns on disability policy issues.  While working with the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) Technical Assistance team, Richard co-created an accessible toolkit for the “Allies in Self-Advocacy” pilot grant project working directly with self-advocates.  Richard has considerable experience working in non-profit organizations including AUCD and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LBGT) organization.  Richard studied and worked abroad in Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Latvia, Poland and Tokyo, Japan.  Richard is a graduate of the University of Houston and received his Master of Social Work degree.

The newly created Policy Partner Program Manager position is crucial to advance the policy and advocacy goals of The Arc Maryland.  The goal of The Arc Maryland’s policy work is to create a world where individuals with developmental disabilities can enjoy equal rights and opportunities.  In his role as Policy Partner Program Manager, Richard will develop training for The Arc Maryland’s Policy Corps--grassroots advocates--for the mission of The Arc and monitor local, state and federal policy developments and issues, including legislative and regulatory issues.  Richard will organize advocates, family members and professionals representing Maryland at the 2014 Disability Policy Seminar held on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC in April.

Kate Fialkowski, The Arc Maryland’s Executive Director remarked:  “We are pleased to have Richard on board.  It is our intent to further develop our advocacy training for and with self-advocates, family advocates and professional advocates.  This program will be enhanced by Richard’s experience."

About The Arc Maryland:

Dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.  Visit us at http://www.thearcmd.org