The Arc’s Statement on the Loss of Daniel Kaufman, Job Coach for People With Developmental Disabilities
Washington, DC – The Arc, the nation’s largest civil rights organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families, released the following statement on the news that Larry Daniel Kaufman (who went by Daniel), a job coach for people with disabilities, was among the victims in the mass shooting at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California:
“Earlier this week a senseless act of violence robbed 14 individuals of their lives and forever changed their families. The Arc and our community are shocked and saddened to learn that Larry Daniel Kaufman, a job coach for people with disabilities, was among the victims. Daniel worked at the coffee cart at the Inland Regional Center where he helped individuals with disabilities develop job skills.
“While Daniel wasn’t tied to The Arc, this loss is particularly painful for us knowing the invaluable work of support professionals like Daniel, and we cannot imagine how this tragedy is impacting those at the Inland Regional Center and his loved ones. Job coaches provide so much for individuals with disabilities, and more often than not they are friends and mentors to the people they work with. Daniel’s choice of profession shows that he was a kind, generous, and passionate individual who was dedicated to serving others. The Arc family extends our condolences to Daniel’s loved ones and all those served by him,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of more than 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.