Direct Advocacy & Resource Center

07/22/2025

Participant Spotlight: David S
Question: What does disability pride mean to you?

David: Well, I would say that the key is that disabled people are people first. That we... I won’t put them in a special category — we are people, and we just want to be treated as people. That I'm still able to do, well, such as being a volunteer at the Desert Museum.
For example, my neighbors told me, “You can do yoga, you can do Tai Chi, you can swim, you can do this, you can do that — and lots of people with an able body would not be able to keep up with you.”

So — and I don't mean to pat myself on the back — but it’s like, the disabled part really is secondary to the people part, that person. And I can do as much or as little as anyone else.

07/02/2025

July News -

As we move into July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month – a time to honor the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, and to recognize that disability is a natural part of life. 

06/02/2025

June News -

05/16/2025

This is My Life Participant Success Story

Vanessa made strides towards advocating for herself following attendance of Self-Advocacy: This is My Life workshop and working with a peer. She now speaks up for herself when she feels as if she is not receiving the services she is entitled to or if she would like to change programs.

Want to build self-advocacy skills like Vanessa?
Self-Advocacy: This is My Life is open to all DDD members (ALTCS not required) and is available both virtually and in-person.

Contact us at direct@directaz.org or at 520-624-6452 to learn more!

05/02/2025

May News -

04/14/2025

Direct Advocacy & Resource Center (Direct) is excited to participate in this year’s Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle. This is a community-wide fundraising event that benefits non-profit organizations throughout Southern Arizona. https://www.directaz.org/news/jim-click-millions-for-tucson-raffle-1

Direct Advocacy & Resource Center is participating in this year’s Jim Click Millions for Tucson raffle.

04/04/2025

MOBILIZE FOR MEDICAID: April 3-11, 2025

The federal budget reconciliation is still underway and currently calling for devastating cuts to Medicaid.

Join us in calling on Congress to reject any cuts and work requirements.

Medicaid is the lifeline that keeps disabled people in their homes and communities — yet Congress is considering proposals that would slash funding, impose work requirements, and limit access to critical services like personal care and home and community-based services (HCBS).

These changes would force many people with disabilities into institutions, undermining the core principles of independent living.

As part of the Independent Living Network, we know how vital Medicaid is for our community. We must act now to protect it!

Contact your members of Congress now and tell them to oppose any cuts and work requirements. Share this message widely go ensure the voice of the disability community is heard!

Take Action: https://bit.ly/4hIXI4b

Image: MOBILIZE FOR MEDICAID. White text on olive green background.

04/02/2025

April News -

Uniting to Protect Disability Rights With so much uncertainty each day affecting the disability community, the lives of individuals and families are significantly impacted. From the recent executive orders aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, to attacks on Section 504, and proposed...

03/05/2025

March News -

02/13/2025

Ten disability organizations issued a joint statement expressing deep concerns about the ongoing threats to essential social services provided by the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Read the full article.
https://www.directaz.org/news/an-immediate-call-to-action-on-funding-threats-to-ddd-services

02/05/2025

February News -

01/16/2025

This is Your Life! -