A gloved hand holding a vaccine vial, with the words COVID-19 in black on a board behind it.

Vaccine Discrimination: Disability Advocacy Groups File Federal Lawsuit Alleging 6 Maryland Jurisdictions Discriminate in Vaccine Process

/in , , , /by The Arc

Today, The Arc Maryland, represented by Disability Rights Maryland, The Arc of the United States, and Brown & Barron, LLC filed a federal lawsuit alleging that six jurisdictions in Maryland, including Baltimore City, discriminate against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by denying them opportunities to access COVID-19 vaccinations inconsistent with the State’s Executive order and Vaccination Plan. This discrimination puts lives at stake and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Five counties and Baltimore City are identified in the lawsuit as excluding individuals with IDD in their list of who is eligible, preventing those with IDD from accessing vaccinations. The counties include, Queen Anne’s County, Carroll County, Garrett County, Somerset County, and Talbot County.

Ivis Burris has muscular dystrophy and requires support staff to come to her apartment to assist her with nursing needs. She lives in Baltimore City with her adult son who has Down syndrome. Under the state Vaccination Plan, they are both eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1B as individuals with IDD. But when Ms. Burris went to the Baltimore City COVID-19 website, she thought she wasn’t eligible to request the vaccine for herself and her son because the City excludes people with IDD from its list of those eligible for Phase 1B. Ms. Burris explains, “I want a fair chance like everybody else to live. My son deserves a fair chance to live. Considering our situation – I need a ventilator to breathe and my son is at higher risk because of his Down syndrome – it is really critical that we get the vaccine. Our disabilities put us at higher risk.”

“It is frustrating to have our state recognize people with IDD to be the 1B priority group for the vaccine, only for people with IDD to be denied equitable access to the vaccine from the counties in which they live. We hope this action will result in immediate change for the benefit of all,” said Ray Marshall, board president of The Arc Maryland.

It is well established that COVID-19-related fatality rates among people with IDD who test positive for COVID-19 are nearly three times greater than the mortality rates among the general population who are positive for the virus. People with IDD also face heightened risk because many rely on caregivers or direct support professionals who provide assistance with activities of daily living, for which social distancing is often not possible. Frequently, such caregivers serve multiple people raising risks of transmission. Despite advocacy from The Arc Maryland, people with IDD are not getting equal access to vaccines, compelling the need for the lawsuit.

“We need these localities to take immediate corrective action to fix their information; to fix forms that exclude individuals with disabilities from claiming eligibility and seeking vaccine appointments; to tell health department staff and others that people with disabilities are eligible and to assist them with obtaining the vaccine. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed over thirty years ago with a purpose of ending historic inequities in health care. We need immediate action to protect lives,” said Lauren Young, Litigation Director for Disability Rights Maryland.

“Throughout this pandemic, The Arc has fought to ensure that people with disabilities nationwide have equal access to treatment and are not subject to medical discrimination,” said Peter Berns, CEO for The Arc of the United States. “As vaccines are distributed around the country, we will remain vigilant to ensure people with IDD are not discriminated against in this process.”

“Ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to life-saving vaccines, and that the State’s distribution plan prioritizing these populations is followed, is in accordance with Brown & Barron’s core principles and values of promoting access to quality healthcare for all. We are proud to stand behind The Arc in supporting these individuals and communities at this crucial time,” said Brian Brown, managing member of Brown & Barron, LLC.”

The Arc of the United States is the largest grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the civil rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc Maryland is an affiliate of The Arc of the United States. There are 11 chapters of The Arc throughout the state, including The Arc Maryland.

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency. DRM advocates to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities throughout Maryland. 

Brown & Barron, LLC is a civil justice law firm in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Adapting to Changing Landscapes: The Creativity and Perseverance of The Arc’s Chapters During COVID-19

/in , /by Pam Katz

Over the last 10 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably shifted the reality of how we connect with each other. To protect the safety of people with disabilities, their families, and our staff, The Arc’s chapters were forced to rapidly shut down in-person services and shift to a virtual format. Many chapters worried they might not be able to sustain the services and programming that are critical to their communities.

Comcast NBCUniversal recognized that the pandemic threatened to cut off critical local support systems for people with disabilities at a time when they were needed the most and stepped up to quickly provide support. Comcast generously provided grants with flexibility so chapters of The Arc could make the most impact in their fight to safely prevent isolation and support overburdened families. This allowed our chapters to explore new and innovative ways to engage families in the community, at times reaching more people than in the past.

At New Star, Inc. in Illinois and Indiana, the virtual environment brought by the pandemic has provided new opportunities to connect to the community in ways not previously available. For example, the shift has provided 35-year-old Alyssa with the possibility to participate in programming she was unable to before. Before the pandemic, Alyssa couldn’t participate in day programming for years due to her intense medical needs resulting from Angelman Syndrome. When her chapter’s offerings shifted to an online format, it increased her ability to join activities like being read to, exercise programs, socialization with peers, and music therapy. Alyssa’s mother, Renee Valfre stated,

“I have seen her cognition, attending and comprehension skills improve. I find the structure Zoom offers her in a setting at home, that is calm without the stimulus of others’ movements, vocalizations and outbursts, allows Alyssa to focus on the activity. Without virtual programming, Alyssa would have had no instruction or involvement with other individuals during the quarantine.”

A young man stands in his home on a hardwood floor with a few plants behind him and an area rug to his right. A small gray dog naps on a piece of furniture to his left.
David dances with his peers during a virtual Friday dance party

Another New Star virtual program, the Friday dance party, has provided valuable opportunities for social engagement as participants struggle through prolonged isolation at home. Each week, dance party participants work together to pick a theme and songs. On Friday, they gather on video to let loose, do musical trivia, learn new dances, and take turns co-DJing and interacting with peers.

Community member David has been at home and unable to spend time with his friends since March. During this time, his dance parties were limited to a party of one. But with the help of New Star’s Community Day Services and the webcams purchased with their Comcast grant funding, he has been able to join group dance parties and interact with friends while doing what he loves!

David’s mom, Denise Rhodes, couldn’t be happier with how much the program has helped him: “I always say, get up and get active! Virtual dance parties have helped David do that!”

Comcast’s assistance helped open a virtual door for another group The Arc provides services for: parents. Many parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities informed The Arc of Aurora in Colorado that schooling their children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at home was challenging. With support from Comcast, The Arc of Aurora created a no-cost online training for parents called Schooling at Home: Your Guide To Remote and Hybrid Learning With IEP Supports. Both parents and educators have enrolled since the training kicked off in September, and that number rises each week. The training delves into how to navigate the special education system and speak up for students in areas like IEPs, procedural rights, and documentation as well as downloadable resources.

“The training aided in clarity for remote learning information and future planning. As a seasoned mom-advocate, I definitely learned things I didn’t know and hadn’t heard!” -Marry Baker, mother of child with IDD

Comcast NBCUniversal’s support extends far beyond chapter funding. They are leveraging their media platforms to raise public awareness of the impacts of the pandemic on people with IDD—including through multiple segments on the TODAY Show, expanding internet access to low-income families and school districts through Internet Essentials, and advancing accessibility with technology like the voice-activated remote control, X1 eye control, and a dedicated service center for customers with disabilities.

As our chapters continue to find creative solutions to the challenges brought forth by COVID-19, they can breathe a little easier knowing that partners like Comcast will continue to have the backs of people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them.

These grants and more are made possible by:

Comcast logo featuring rainbow icon above the text
A dad and song sitting together looking at a laptop computer. Text reads: Click Here for Inclusion: Staying Connected During COVID-19

Click Here for Inclusion: Staying Connected During COVID-19

/in , , /by Pam Katz

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), a fully integrated life in the community often depends on not only people-powered supports like direct support professionals and job coaches, but on the technology to facilitate skill building, social connection, and much more.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world and shut down entire communities, people with disabilities saw many of those connections and daily routines come screeching to a halt.

Seeing the desperate need for solutions, Comcast NBCUniversal stepped up to quickly provide support where it was needed most. Comcast generously provided grants with flexibility so chapters of The Arc could make the most impact in their fight to safely prevent isolation and support overburdened families. This allowed our chapters to explore new and innovative ways to engage families in the community, at times reaching more people than in the past.

In Larimer County, Colorado, Sam and his mother found themselves stuck at home together and sharing her work laptop. Sam was able to use the laptop for high school classes and his social life—but because his mom also needed it for work, his usage was limited. On top of that, he was not able to download everything he needed for school. The other devices in the house were either no longer able to connect to the internet, out of storage, or not exclusively his. The lack of access prevented him from participating in Zoom calls with his fellow high school classmates and put him behind not only socially but academically. Sam and his mom felt frustrated and left behind, as so many others have during this pandemic.

Through the support of Comcast NBCUniversal, The Arc of Larimer County was able to help Sam and his mother by providing Sam his own new laptop to use however and whenever he wanted. He was finally able to reconnect with his friends virtually and have a sense of independence with having something of his own, giving him something positive as he toughs out the continued isolation wrought by COVID-19.

And Sam’s not the only one thrilled with his new computer! His mom says, “This will be a great stress relief, an answer to prayers. We have been actively looking and trying to make do with my work computer and the one we have to return. Thank you so much for helping our family in this tough time.”          

On the East Coast in Philadelphia, Eloisa Maglaya found herself facing the same challenges. Prior to COVID-19, she was very active in the community and enjoyed attending a variety of events. But once she was home with few options to safely socialize and stay active, she found herself feeling isolated and frustrated. This all changed with the tablet given to her by The Arc of Philadelphia. With her new tablet, she is able to:

  • Maintain a daily routine
  • Stream virtual Zumba classes (her favorite pre-pandemic activity) and stay active
  • Watch movies in her native Tagalog Philippine language
  • Learn how to navigate app usage directions, stream her favorite videos, and better use the device features with the help of her direct support professional
  • Stay updated on COVID-19 safety procedures 

The positive effects of Eloisa’s tablet have been immeasurable. Her family and The Arc’s staff have reported seeing her more joyous and happier!

Comcast NBCUniversal’s support extends far beyond chapter funding. They are leveraging their media platforms to raise public awareness of the impacts of the pandemic on people with IDD—including through multiple segments on the TODAY Show, expanding internet access to low-income families and school districts through Internet Essentials, and advancing accessibility with technology like the voice-activated remote control, X1 eye control, and a dedicated service center for customers with disabilities.

In our hyper-connected world, technology was already what kept us connected from day to day. But as we limit physical contact to stay safe, digital access has become more vital than ever. For people with IDD—who have had to fight for decades for the chance to be included in their communities—access to the digital world ensures that progress is not lost and they can remain connected and engaged with the people and activities they love most.

These grants and more are made possible by:

Comcast logo featuring rainbow icon above the text

 

a group of people of varying ages walk on a field with sunset in the background. They all wear blue shirts that say "volunteer".

2020 MLK Grantees Continue the Fight Against Hunger

/in , /by Pam Katz

Since 2015, The Arc has been the proud recipient of a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that funds the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service activities. Under this grant, chapters of The Arc and other organizations executed projects all across the U.S, uniting volunteers with and without disabilities in service to their communities.

With the pandemic plunging millions into hunger, the following organizations followed in the footsteps of their predecessors and designed initiatives that sought to reduce food insecurity in their individual neighborhoods:  

The Arc of Midland (MI); Ridge Area Arc (FL); The Arc Nature Coast (FL); The Arc of the Glades (FL); The Arc of South Carolina; UCP Seguin (IL); The Arc of Oklahoma (formerly TARC); Choices for Community Living, Inc. (DE); The Arc of Southwest Colorado; The Arc Lane County (OR); The Arc of Rockland (NY); AHRC New York City; Holly Ridge Center (WA); The Arc Jacksonville (FL); Youth Impact (TX); The Nashville Food Project (TN); The Arc Williamson County (TN); The Arc Central Virginia; Boys & Girls Club Blue Ridge (VA); Stone Soup Cafe/All Souls Church (MA); Star, Inc. (CT); Arc of Calhoun & Cleburne Counties (AL); Cass Community Social Services (MI), and last but certainly not least, Arc of Quad Cities Area (IL)

These grantees worked tirelessly to deliver food assistance to their neighbors experiencing food insecurity, many for the first time. With the pandemic in full swing by March, organizations quickly modified their initiatives to adhere to social distancing guidelines.   Projects ranged in size and scope, and often reflected the culture of their community. Volunteers engaged in a variety of service opportunities, including:

  • Organizing food drives to collect food from individuals, businesses, and restaurants
  • Working in gardens or with farmers to gather, package, and distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to local food banks
  • Strengthening the capacity of local Meals on Wheels and Elderly Nutrition programs to serve home-bound seniors
  • Partnering with soup kitchens and elementary schools to serve lunch and dinner to community residents experiencing food insecurity

At the end of the grant period, 3,500 volunteers with and without disabilities had served 76,000 meals to 30,000 of their neighbors, contributing 27,000 hours and $753,000 in value to their respective organizations.

At a moment when the need for hunger assistance continues to climb in America, every grantee rose to the challenge. More importantly, while these dedicated organizations were delivering food aid to their neighbors, they were simultaneously demonstrating a timeless truth: the tremendous contribution volunteers with disabilities bring to their local communities. For all their time and efforts, The Arc will be forever grateful.

With COVID-19 wreaking havoc so many lives, volunteering in your local community is more important than ever. The Arc is once again partnering with CNCS to offer $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 grants to chapters of The Arc and other local nonprofit organizations to develop September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance projects. Learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply by December 4. We would love to have your organization join us!

APPLY

 

Two green vending machines, one with food and one with drinks, next to each other

Getting Creative With Fundraising at The Arc of Iowa

/in , /by Pam Katz

The Arc of Iowa was struggling financially with local chapters closing, memberships declining, and a growing need for advocacy related to managed care moving into the state. They wanted to build a social entrepreneur program that would help augment current fundraising and membership dues. The program needed to increase the awareness of The Arc of Iowa, engage existing chapters, and be a program that could be grown in both rural and urban communities. In what felt like a do or die moment, the board and director took a leap and spent every dime on building 28 vending machines that were placed in four communities across the state. We chatted with the Executive Director of The Arc of Iowa, Doug Cunningham to learn how the program works.

What does the manpower behind the vending machines look like? How do you fund, place, stock, and maintain them?

We partnered with Goodwill to assist with staffing statewide. One individual can stock three to four machines a day. They sort products based on a checklist, package them, and take them to the location. They then put the items in the machines, count the items, clean the machine, and digitally fax the inventory back to the State Office each day. We placed machines in the Goodwill Service Centers and on their store floors, programs that serve individuals with disabilities, and local businesses. They recruit workers with varying abilities and we train them to stock and service the machines. They even donated space in their local service centers to warehouse products. The sales are GPS monitored and we can see when machines require service or stocking from a central location. The machines cost between $4,000 to $7,000 a piece and require about $1,500 in coins and stock to set up. The machines are expected to have a useful life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Where does profit from the machines go?

Annually the machines generate about $5000 to $7000 a piece. Merchandise costs about 35% of what we can sell it for and labor is an additional 20%. We give the local sites 10% of the revenue and we used the remaining proceeds to build a new interactive website, a new statewide fund raising tool that local chapters can use,  training for self-advocates, fund a liaison at the State Capital, pay affiliation dues, and to further grow the vending program.   

How the initiative resulted in new or amplified relationships with other organizations/companies throughout the state?

One of the biggest challenges that the vending machines helped us overcome is getting out of our state offices and forcing us to work in the local communities. There was a disconnect between the state office and the local chapters. The vending machines required us to know the staff in Goodwill, our local chapters, and other agencies that allowed us to place machines in their facilities. It also gave us a unique way to inspire donors to invest in The Arc of Iowa again. In fact, a donor ended up paying off $70,000 of our machines and challenged the community to assist which generated another $25,000 in gifts.   

What are your hopes for the long-term growth and sustainability of the program?

We currently have 28 machines across the state which generate $90,000 annually. We hope to have hundreds of machines that generate an endless and consistent stream of revenue that can promote advocacy for years to come. After three years, and the generosity of donors, the machines were profitable and now provide a steady stream of revenue every day.  

How can other chapters explore and implement similar revenue-creating ventures?

The company that builds these machines can ship and set them up internationally. This opportunity is still in its infancy, and we made mistakes—however, there is room in the profitability to make those mistakes and learn from them. To make the program successful you need to think big. Build lots of machines and the infrastructure around it. The more machines you have, the better the value and the more efficient you become. Be interdependent with your local chapters for the highest impact. To make The Arc relevant, the community needs to see us. These machines, staffed by people with disabilities and used as big marketing machines, can promote awareness and foster financial independence for your chapter. Please feel free to reach out to me at doug@thearcofiowa.org for further questions.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a blue dress poses, smiling, against a wall with her arms gently crossed at the wrist.

Serving a State: An Interview With the Only Chapter in Oklahoma

/in /by Pam Katz
Lisa Turner, Executive Director of TARC

As the only chapter of The Arc in the state of Oklahoma, TARC has both a unique opportunity and challenge. Around 60,000 Oklahomans have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities–and are spread across almost 70,000 square miles. The chapter employs a range of strategies to help as many people as possible. Read more about their work below.

Tell us what it’s like being the only chapter of The Arc in your state.

As the only affiliate of The Arc in Oklahoma, TARC takes an active role in convening organizations serving the I/DD community for events, like the upcoming listening session in Tulsa. TARC participates in numerous statewide initiatives that impact the lives of those we serve. We are active in public policy and advocacy and recruit and train others across the state to join our efforts.

What communication strategies do you employ to reach as many people as possible throughout the state? (emails, print products, online groups, etc)

TARC recently conducted a statewide community needs assessment to identify the unmet needs of individuals with I/DD and their families and caregivers. Focus groups included self-advocates, family members or caregivers, community partners, and funders. Through this process, unmet needs were identified, helping to refine TARC’s strategic plan and guiding us to form more partnerships and collaborations.

In addition, we work with partners around the state like the Developmental Disabilities Council, People First, and other like-minded organizations to help generate awareness about I/DD-related events, advocacy opportunities, and public policy issues.

How do you structure your programs and services to be available to as many people as possible?

TARC is stepping up communication and marketing strategies to develop the infrastructure, partnerships, and tools to inform as many people as possible about the needs of the I/DD community and services available. TARC just opened a new office in Oklahoma City to increase our presence at the State Capitol and engage in opportunities for more partnerships, services, and funding.

Do you partner with other providers and organizations to maximize your ability to serve the community? If yes, how so?

TARC recently received the 2019 Goodwill Community Partner of the Year Award for convening several providers and nonprofits to host a transition resource fair for self-advocates. We also support two People First chapters, are active in Oklahoma People First, and the Oklahoma Self-Advocates Network. Together, we co-host I/DD awareness events at the Capitol and in our community. We also invite participants from employment agencies to join us for MLK Volunteer Service days.

How does being the only chapter in the state affect your funding streams and strategy for engaging with sponsors, grants, and donors?

TARC contracts with the State of Oklahoma to provide residential advocacy and monitoring for adults residing in state-funded group homes in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. For much of our organization’s history, funding has come from the Tulsa area, where we are located. We recently began expanding our relationships with funders and sponsors across the state since our reach really is statewide through our advocacy work and our state contract.

Do you have any advice for other chapters who are merging to cover a larger area, or who are also the only chapter in a large geographic area?

Collaborations and partnerships are key! Consider collective impact models to enhance your advocacy efforts and voice. Together we are stronger.

Lisa Turner, TARC Executive Director

lturner@ddadvocacy.net  

The Arc logo

Spreading the Holiday Spirit of Giving With The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham

/in /by Pam Katz

Now in its second year, The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham’s “Santa Run, Walk, ‘N Roll” brings the community together during the season of giving to raise awareness and funds for the chapter. Capitalizing on the holiday spirit and everyone’s love of festive cheer, the event provides Santa suits and elf ears to make everyone a “helper” in spreading joy. The parade lasts for a half mile through downtown Harrisonburg right before the city’s holiday parade. We asked Heather Denman, Executive Director of the chapter, what makes the event so special and successful!

How did the Santa Run, Walk, ‘N Roll get started? 

The Arc of the Piedmont located in Charlottesville VA has successfully held a Santa Fun Run for six years. The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham was interested in establishing an inclusive friend- and fund-raising event and The Arc of the Piedmont generously helped get us started. We renamed the event Santa Run, Walk, ‘N Roll. The Arc of Hanover (another VA chapter) is having their first Santa Run this year. Our goal is to have all chapters of The Arc throughout Virginia conduct the event on the same weekend each December.

How far out do you begin meeting and preparing for the event to ensure success? What does the process of bringing it to life look like?

The main promotional thrust for Santa Run should begin in September, but we start the planning process with the submission of an application to the City in February. We also make early arrangements with The Friendly City Food Co-op where we begin and end the Run, Walk, ‘N Roll. We used Eventbrite for registration the first year but have purchased fundraising software (Salsa) that better allows for teams and individuals to sign up and invite people to sponsor them. Prizes collected throughout the year are awarded in a number of categories, including most money raised by an individual, most raised by a team, and best decorated wheelchair, stroller, and pet. Television, radio, and print advertising campaigns are donated in exchange for event sponsorships and they begin in October with increasing frequency closer to the event. Board and community volunteers help secure sponsors, distribute posters, and promote it on social media. At the event, volunteers help with registration and provide and dispense hot chocolate and cider, holiday cookies and snacks at the registration/finish line. Participants receive a bag with sponsor swag and coupons for Santas to enjoy a free or reduced price item at downtown restaurants post event.

How do you get other community organizations and companies involved, either as sponsors or participants?

Expenses for the event are very low (Santa suits are about $9) so corporate sponsorships more than cover the costs of the event. While we prefer to line up sponsors well in advance, companies often have funds left over at year end and are happy to help. Each sponsorship comes with free registration at commensurate levels—a $500 sponsor gets 4 free registrations and a $5,000 sponsor gets 20. This encourages sponsors to form teams and become engaged beyond their donation. Local universities help promote the event on their campuses. We also utilize our DD provider networks, The Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, and social media. 

How does the event serve as a vehicle for more people in the community to get involved in the chapter, either as volunteers, clients, or staff? 

Publicity for the event including promotion and media coverage create much needed awareness of our mission. An information station is manned at the event with sign-ups for volunteering, newsletters and memberships.

How do you ensure the event is inclusive and welcomes everyone from the planning side as well as the participation side?

We ensure staff and consumer participation by allocating Community Engagement (CE) or Community Coaching time to Santa Run. A fellow provider has offered overtime to all their staff who provide support to their individuals to participate. We also provide transportation to and from the event and have college volunteers on hand to provide individual support for members of CE teams or others needing assistance. A self-advocate serves on the board of directors and has been involved in the planning of the event and we are in the process of establishing a self-advocacy committee that will have representation on a state-wide self-advocacy alliance. 

Opening Up the Online World to People With Disabilities: Employment Spotlight

/in , /by Pam Katz

Digital technology is revolutionizing our day-to-day lives. It is rapidly expanding access to information, tools, and entertainment that helps us connect with the world and each other. It helps us dream bigger and achieve more. But with rapid change comes barriers to understanding and access. This is especially true for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), who may need extra support to master and use technological tools.

As part of The Arc’s extensive and long-standing partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, 16 chapters across the county were selected to serve as Tech Coaching Centers to expand technology access and understanding for the disability community. Each coaching session is tailored to the participants’ unique needs and goals for navigating the online world. Through one-on-one sessions with their coach, each person has the opportunity to grow their skills and confidence. Read about one of them below.

The Power of Programming

Daniel hard at work coding

Daniel came to the Tech Coaching Center at The Arc of Carroll County in Maryland as a 14-year-old with a specific goal: he wanted to learn how to master JavaScript to become a web developer. His tech coach from the chapter, Jeremy, saw Daniel’s passion and created a multi-session plan to help him reach his goal. During these sessions, they practiced using code to create individual shapes and fill them in with different colors and textures.

Daniel has autism, ADD, and ADHD, which can present challenges in social interactions and typical learning environments. But when it came to coding, Daniel was an exceptionally driven and fast learner —quickly surpassing what his coach was even able to teach him!

“I found the class helpful in that it moved at the pace each student needed,” Daniel said.

Jeremy can attest to the benefit of the coaching too. “Daniel felt accomplished and proud of his design,” Jeremy said at the end of the coaching sessions. “He was put in a lot of detail and effort into his coding and it showed.” 

The results of Daniel’s efforts!

Without digital skills, people with disabilities—who already face numerous barriers to gainful and competitive employment—lose out on so much. With the right supports, they’re able to hone and present cutting-edge skills like coding to employers, and secure paying jobs in their communities…just like anyone else. At our Tech Coaching Centers, participants can build and refine the skills that will make the difference for THEM as they enter the workforce, including how to network, create and submit resumes, and find good job openings.

Since finishing at the coaching center, Daniel is currently taking two college level classes along with two high school classes. He intends to take two more college classes in the spring semester and apply for a waiver to graduate after 11th grade. Because he already skipped a grade in elementary school, Daniel will be 15 when he graduates! He’d like to major in video game design in college and eventually work in programming after school.

His unflappable motivation, coupled with his lessons at the Tech Coaching center, have given him the opportunity he may not have otherwise had to sharpen an invaluable skill that will make him a standout candidate to employers. Daniel is just one example of what we at The Arc and Comcast already know: when people with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, they can participate in these spaces just like everyone else!

Visit thearc.org/technology to see all the ways we are working to increase digital literacy in communities across the country.

Tech Coaching Centers and more made possible by:

The Arc logo

Connecting Passionate Volunteers to Meaningful Causes: Addressing Food Insecurity in NYC

/in , /by Pam Katz

By Andrew Pfadt-Trilling, Vivian Murray, and Joyce Minault (AHRC NYC)

New York City is a city of contrasts. It is the financial capital of the world while 1.4 million residents rely on emergency food programs. A place where luxury condominiums are built on the same block as people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Last year, AHRC NYC was a recipient of a grant through the The Arc of the United States and the Corporation for National and Community Service to organize its first MLK Day of Service project to combat hunger and food insecurity. We saw this as a chance to look at neighborhoods where there is a real need, but also where there are passionate self-advocates and staff who want to be more connected and make an impact in their communities. We identified three neighborhoods (Crown Heights & Bushwick in Brooklyn; Lower East Side in Manhattan) and formed planning teams of staff and self-advocates that lived or worked in that neighborhood and asked: what if we planned a project that fought food insecurity, brought neighbors together, and strengthened community ties? Here is the story of how the Crown Heights team, B’lynx (Brooklyn Links Up) responded to that challenge.

B’lynx is a diverse team of people with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities, committed to enriching the Crown Heights community through innovation, passion, and fun. Since 2014, B’lynx has participated in community-based service projects and volunteer events with other local organizations.

The MLK Day of Service grant gave B’lynx the chance to develop as community organizers and take the lead in planning an initiative to bring people and organizations together to make a difference in Crown Heights. The team was excited to take on this role and when it came time to mobilize, self-advocates and staff began to hit the streets canvasing, recruiting volunteers, and spreading the word.

Recognizing that not everyone would be interested or comfortable doing the neighborhood outreach, the team made sure there were other ways for everyone to get involved and make an impact. Artists decorated boxes that were used for our city-wide food drives and distributed them to local businesses. Others created promotional materials such as flyers and bookmarks to raise awareness and recruit volunteers that were distributed to local libraries, cafes, and community centers. It truly takes a village to make something like this possible!

Volunteers organize food for distribution

The hard work of B’lynx paid off. On January 21st, 2019 over 50 volunteers came out in the harsh weather to help those in need, distributing over 500 pounds of food collected through the drive. They also provided hot meals to dozens of households through Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, a nonprofit organization that combats hunger and food waste by delivering excess food from restaurants to those in need. 

On top of the food-related volunteer activities of the day, B’lynx made sure the event also provided a space to showcase community partners and other opportunities to give back! Local organizations, such as community gardens and health centers, were present to share resources. There were arts and crafts tables for kids, healthy eating demos for all ages, and information of other volunteer opportunities in the neighborhood.

The MLK Day of Service has strengthened B’lynx even more and deepened their relationships in the Crown Heights community. This past summer they took an active role in neighborhood block parties, hosting arts activities for local children. B’lynx and the other change teams at AHRC NYC are already busy planning and looking forward to the upcoming 2020 MLK Day of Service, with the hope to help even more people!

Students smile for the camera while sitting at a desk

Spotlight: Inclusion From the Start With The Arc Montgomery County

/in , /by Pam Katz
Photo: Ann Maas Photography

The Arc Montgomery County Karasik Family, Infant & Child Care Center, affectionately known as KFICCC, is a family-centered child care program. In every classroom, typically-developing children, children with developmental disabilities, and children with special health care needs play and learn together. The program has been a smash hit in the community, due in no small part to the thoughtful planning and implementation led by CEO Chrissy Shawver.

By modeling and teaching inclusion from the start, The Arc Montgomery County is ensuring that the next generation knows the value of inclusion and spreads love and acceptance in whatever path they take. In case you missed their presentation at this year’s National Convention, learn more about how they’ve built such a successful program below!

How did the program start?

The current KFICCC program was originally two separate programs. Karasik Child Care Center was for children ages 2-10 years old with and without disabilities. It was named after Monroe and Joan Karasik, very strong advocates for people with disabilities. Family, Infant & Child Care Center was for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old who were medically-fragile, or who had complex medical conditions.   

In 2011, these programs merged, becoming KFICCC (Karasik Family, Infant & Child Care Center). KFICCC is the only fully-inclusive child care center in Maryland, where children with and without disabilities and special health care needs play, grow, learn and explore together in all classrooms. Approximately one-third of the children enrolled have identified disabilities; the remaining two-thirds are typically-developing.

What is your training and onboarding process like for new staff?

All KFICCC teachers have college degrees and all other KFICCC staff must hold a 90-hour child care certificate geared toward the ages of the children with whom they work. The Arc provides a comprehensive on-boarding and training process, which includes CPR, first aid, Maryland State Department of Education trainings, and other trainings specific to working with people who have disabilities. 

The most important quality for KFICCC staff is a really strong background in early childhood education. The child is a child first; any disability is simply part of the child. If you understand child development, you can work with all children by simply getting to know them and being willing to make accommodations to meet their individual learning styles and needs.

What about new children? How do you ensure the transition into the program is smooth and that everyone is set up to succeed?

KFICCC offers a seamless delivery of services, including therapies, special education, pre-kindergarten, and on-site nursing support. It’s all about coordination of care and giving parents an integrated support team.

New children come with their parents to meet with the staff and tour the building. During this visit, the child spends time in the identified classroom. Once a commitment is made, the child attends for his/her first week, spending progressively longer periods in the classroom. 

If the child has an IEP or IFSP, the staff will meet with the child’s team to learn how to best meet the child’s needs in the classroom. If the family is not yet linked to services, staff may recommend them to Child Find or Montgomery County Infants & Toddlers Program.

What should chapters who are trying to implement a similar program in their community know?

Operating KFICCC is expensive, primarily because child-staff ratios must be higher than what is required by licensing. Community partnerships are essential for success.  Staff must believe in inclusion and understand the benefits of having children with and without disabilities in the same classroom. When done right, it should be hard to tell who has a disability and who doesn’t—the program should feel very natural.

What has been the most challenging part of building the program, and how did you overcome it?

Adequate funding was and continues to be a challenge, especially when trying to keep the cost of child care affordable for families with lots of other financial pressures. It’s key to have someone who can write grants and connect with other funding sources because the program cannot run on tuition alone.

Another big challenge was breaking down barriers. Parents had many misconceptions about their typically-developing children “catching” disabilities or being held back because the attention was directed to children with special needs. The only way to overcome that was to demonstrate that it was untrue. Today, KFICCC’s greatest advocates are children without disabilities, because they just see their friends—not the disability.

Students pose for a photo wearing orange shirts
Photo: The Arc Montgomery County