This monograph reports on an October 1991 forum on self-advocacy for persons with mental retardation in the leadership of The Arc, a national organization on mental retardation. The monograph is intended to help local chapters encourage the empowerment and inclusion of individuals with mental retardation as both members and leaders. First, principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act are identified and applied to community organizations, especial Arc chapters. The forum involved 13 representatives of self-advocacy groups, parents, professionals, and Arc leaders and addressed the following concerns: reasons for people with mental retardation to become Arc leaders; leadership abilities of people with mental retardation; beliefs and structures which prevent such people from becoming leaders in The Arc; and the role of Arc chapters in supporting and promoting leadership. An appendix lists forum participants. (DB)