Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA) is committed to collaboration with individuals and organizations of like mind who can contribute expertise, authority, and outreach to its advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals with disabilities. These relationships include local and state entities as well as national and international partners.
The core collaborative network for DRA is that established by the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1970. This network includes the following entities:
- The Developmental Disabilities Council, appointed in every state by its Governor;
- The University Affiliated Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities designated by every state (in Arkansas, this is Partners for Inclusive Communities);
- The independent Protection and Advocacy System designated by the Governor of every state (Disability Rights Arkansas is our state’s designated protection and advocacy agency).
Federal statutes guiding the activities of DRA recommend that DRA will participate in collaborative activities with other organizations and agencies to further the objectives and priorities of its programs. Collaboration efforts between some of the federally funded and authorized programs and the Arkansas Long Term Care Ombudsman are also required by federal statutes.
Approved by the DRA Board of Directors, December 2020