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Let’s Go Out on March 29

/in /by The Arc

The Arc Plans for a National Day Out Event for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Arc invites you to join us on March 29 in a grassroots initiative to help raise awareness about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

What should you do? If you are a person with IDD or know someone who has IDD, simply make plans to go out somewhere in public on Saturday, March 29. That’s all. Just plan a day out and about enjoying the things you like to do. And, in the process help raise awareness and generate some conversation about people with IDD during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This one-day movement will serve to harness our collective power to gain allies, foster understanding, dispel myths and encourage a greater understanding among people without a disability.

Year round, The Arc works to promote and protect the rights of people with IDD to live, learn, work and play as valued and contributing members of their communities. We fight for legislation to remove barriers to full participation and inclusion and have been successful on many fronts. But sometimes the barrier has nothing to do with the width of a doorway or an employer’s hiring practices. Sometimes the barrier is as subtle as a nervous glance from an uninformed person in line with you at the market.

So, this March 29, let’s all go out and start breaking down those social barriers once and for all. As an individual with IDD, this is your chance to personally help raise awareness just by being yourself and participating in the things you enjoy alongside others in your community without disabilities. Make plans now to hit the movies, the park, your local shopping center or restaurant and maybe spark some conversation in the process. If you are a friend or family member of a person with IDD, make plans now to enjoy a fun activity together in public and take the opportunity to show others that we’re all not so different after all.

Visit The Arc’s website at www.thearcwebdev.wpengine.com/lets-go-out and find out more about this campaign and things you can do join in. And spread the word using the hashtag #DDAware on social media during the month of March. Follow us online at www.facebook.com/thearcus or www.twitter.com/thearcus and be sure to show us what you end up doing on March 29 by sharing your photos using the hashtag #DDAware.

Want to do more? You can help support The Arc’s national organization through a tax-deductible donation. Or you can find your local chapter at www.thearcwebdev.wpengine.com/findachapter.

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The Arc Reacts to Startling New Bureau of Justice Statistics on Crimes Against People With Cognitive and Other Disabilities

/in , /by The Arc

This week, The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released a report on Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009–2012 – Statistical Tables. Disabilities are classified according to six limitations: hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living. Among persons with disabilities, those with cognitive disabilities experienced the highest rate of violent victimization (63 per 1,000). Violent crime against persons with disabilities was nearly three times higher than the rate for persons without disabilities. The rate of serious violent crime—rape or other sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault—against persons with disabilities was nearly four times higher than that for persons without disabilities in 2012.

The Arc, which is running the new National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, released the following statement on the data:

“This startling data illustrates what we are hearing from self-advocates, parents, caregivers, and others within our chapter network and the disability community – people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at particular risk of being victims of crimes of all kinds. It’s a serious problem that we must no longer ignore or treat as a peripheral issue. In order to effectively address this silent epidemic of unaddressed abuse and victimization among people with disabilities in the U.S., we must have support from all levels of the community – disability advocates, law enforcement, victim advocates, legal professionals, elected leaders, community advocates, and people with disabilities themselves who know all too well the trauma of victimization and the devastation of receiving little or no support.

“The Arc’s new Center on Criminal Justice and Disability aims to be a comprehensive resource to help turn these statistics around so that people with disabilities can lead safer lives in their community and access support and begin to heal when victimization occurs,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

The Arc’s new National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability is the first national effort of its kind to bring together both victim and suspect/offender issues involving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) under one roof.

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Comcast NBCUniversal, The Arc Launch Multi-Million Dollar National Partnership to Enhance Technology Access and Education for People With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

WASHINGTON, DC (February 25, 2014) – The Arc, an advocate for the rights of the disabilities community, and Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced they have formed an exciting new national partnership to support and expand digital technology opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Through a three-year commitment, Comcast and NBCUniversal will provide The Arc with $3.7 million in cash and in-kind support, including airtime, to promote The Arc’s public service announcements on cable and broadcast channels and xfinity.com. The Comcast Foundation is also providing $400,000 to support The Arc’s national digital training program and improve technology access and services by launching up to 12 Comcast and NBCUniversal Digital Literacy Learning Labs in major metropolitan U.S. cities.

The Arc will use the new funding to design an online resource center for cataloguing and rating apps, software and other digital resources. The 700 local chapters of The Arc nationwide will participate in designing and contributing resources to the online resource center.

“Thanks to Comcast and NBCUniversal, The Arc has a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness across the country about The Arc and the population we work with, and this partnership affords us the ability to launch an exciting new program that could change the lives of people with IDD. By learning how to get online, people with IDD are in a better position to gain employment, expand their social circle, and be a part of the increasingly growing community that exists online,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

“We believe that technology, and the doors it opens, can be a game changer for the disabilities community,” said Charisse R. Lillie, Vice President of Community Investment for Comcast Corporation and President of the Comcast Foundation. “Through this new partnership with The Arc, we hope to connect and empower this community with technology that can improve their lives.”

Digital literacy is an important area of focus for the disabilities community and The Arc in this increasingly digital and online world. The majority of people with IDD have limited or no access to contemporary and comprehensible information and communication technologies. In The Arc’s nationwide survey, Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (“FINDS”) in 2010, only 32 percent of people with IDD were reported to be using computers; 13 percent communication devices; 4 percent GPS; and 6 percent video communications. This partnership will focus on assisting people with IDD to gain access to and make effective and safe use of the Internet, including social media.

“Online safety is a big issue for all of us, and as more people with IDD get online, it’s incredibly important that they learn to do so in a manner that protects them while allowing them the freedom to explore the online world. Our chapters are poised to provide this opportunity to people with IDD, and I’m looking forward to witnessing how this program impacts their lives,” said Berns.

In early 2014, The Arc will be adding a new staff member to lead this new initiative. Look for updates on The Arc’s website throughout the year as we build this resource.

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The Arc Reacts to Department of Justice’s Inspector General Beginning Investigation Into Storefront Sting Operations Involving People With Disabilities

/in , /by The Arc

Washington, DC – In response to the news that the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Inspector General will be investigating storefront stings in four of the cities that used people with intellectual disability (ID) to facilitate operations without their knowledge, The Arc released the following statement:

“We are pleased that the Inspector General is taking this important step, as we requested in our letter to the agency, to find out how these operations that used people with intellectual disability could have occurred, and we hope that the results of this inquiry are the end to this practice across all operations conducted by the Department of Justice. Because of the unique challenges people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face in the criminal justice system, as either suspects, offenders, or victims, they should not be used as pawns or informants by ATF agents or other law enforcement officials. We are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine how The Arc can help train federal agents to recognize intellectual disability and keep this population out of their operations,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc. “Many people needing help in the criminal justice system have disabilities that are not easily recognizable, and we hope to raise awareness among law enforcement nationwide about ‘hidden disabilities’ to increase the safety and protect the rights of people with IDD.”

When The Arc first learned that storefront sting operations were entrapping and exploiting people with ID and then charging some for the crimes ATF agents asked them to commit, we reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice expressing our concerns. Since then, The Arc has met with high-level officials within the DOJ and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to discuss these cases and offer assistance with training of federal law enforcement officials.

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Spots Available for Self-Advocate Businesses at The Arc’s Convention

/in /by The Arc

Are you an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability who has a small business enterprise? Or, do you know someone who might fit this description? The Arc is looking for self-advocate entrepreneurs to promote their business enterprises at our National Convention in New Orleans September 30-October 2, 2014.

Spots are available for you to have a table in Entrepreneur Alley, a part of The Marketplace exhibition space at the Convention. You can showcase your business to the more than 600 people we are expecting to attend. The Arc offers a highly reduced rate of only $100 per exhibit for those who sign up before June 1.

And, for those who can’t travel to New Orleans, we also offer “The Market” – an opportunity for you to let us sell or promote items for you for only $50 plus 10% of gross sales.

Contact us at 202-534-3720 for additional information or to sign up today. Remember the deadline for special rates is June 1. After June 1 rates will increase.

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The Arc Reacts to President’s Executive Order Raising Minimum Wage for Federal Contract Workers, Including People With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

This week, President Obama signed an executive order raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for federal contract workers, including people with disabilities. This order applies to new contracts beginning January 1, 2015, and will apply to replacements for expiring contracts as well as new agreements.

“The Arc is pleased that President Obama took this step for federal contract workers, including people with disabilities. This wage boost is an important step forward and will benefit the lives of many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them achieve their goals of greater financial independence. We will be communicating with the Administration to ensure a smooth phase-in of this change and to encourage the Administration to put in place the infrastructure, safeguards, and supports for people who need more significant accommodations to succeed in the workplace,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

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The Arc Supports the Keeping All Students Safe Act

/in /by The Arc

The Arc released the following statement in response to the introduction of The Keeping All Students Safe Act, introduced by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). This piece of legislation will prohibit the use of physical restraint unless a student’s behavior poses an imminent danger of physical harm to self or others, while ensuring that personnel receive proper training, that parents are aware of any restraint used with their children, and that the most dangerous types of restraint and seclusion are eliminated.

“There is no question that the safety of our children should be a top priority, and that is exactly what The Keeping All Students Safe Act is all about. The Arc is concerned with the well-being of students as well as school personnel and we support national standards that focus on preventing behavior problems and promoting a positive and safe school climate. Children with disabilities have disproportionately high rates of being restrained and secluded in schools, and reports of this type of discipline going wrong and leading to harm of the child are all too common. We urge Senators to act quickly to protect all students in all schools by supporting this important legislation,” said, Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

Students are not the only ones being hurt when restraint and seclusion are used. School staff is sometimes injured when they use the practices, resulting in staff taking sick leave or even retiring from teaching.

The introduction of this legislation is paired with the release of findings of an investigation into the use of seclusion and restraints conducted by the Senate HELP Committee. The investigation found that under current law, a family whose child has been injured, experienced trauma, or died as a result of the use of seclusion or restraints in school has little or no recourse through school procedures or the courts. Examining ten recent cases where children have suffered severe trauma and even loss of life as a result of these practices, the investigation found that only eighteen states currently require parents be notified about the use of seclusion or restraints. To read the full report, visit the Senate HELP Committee’s website.

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Reflecting on Wings for Autism

/in /by Guest Blogger

By Sylvia Fuerstenberg, Executive Director of The Arc of King County

Wings for Autism took flight at SeaTac Airport, and it was a great success. I am so grateful for all of the families who took part in our launch, as well as the many volunteers who made the event a success. The commitment of The Port of Seattle and Alaska Airline is phenomenal. They are single minded in making travel inclusive for everyone. The TSA even made going through security a positive experience. When that is true, you know that everyone was committed! Although I could say a lot more about the event, I would rather let some of the parents and event partners tell you about their experience.

From Lisa Okada Visitacion, Mom:

“Phenomenal event. Increasing awareness and understanding. Building confidence and skills. Giving families hope. These are just a few thoughts I had about the Wings for Autism event yesterday. Kelli (and all the other participants) did such an amazing job. Many, many thanks to all the volunteers (there were many!) and staff at The Arc of King County, Alaska Airlines, TSA and the Port of Seattle. We will remember this experience forever and will most likely be flying Alaska Airlines when we travel by air. (I wonder if we can we take along a few of the volunteers, too?!?!)”

From Jacki Jones Chase, Mom:

 “We got in the plane and they taxied it all over the airport runways. Then they stopped and let the kids, and adults, go check out the cockpit and bathrooms – they really put on an awesome event for kids with Autism!”

From Jennifer Wade, Mom:

 “From the moment my family arrived at the airport, there was a friendly, smiling person with a Wings of Autism T-shirt on, guiding us along our way. Every step of the process we were assured, explained the process and every attempt was made to ensure we were comfortable, our questions answered and made to feel at ease in what is potentially a stressful situation for any parent /caregiver, taking a child on a flight. A special thanks to our pilot Mark who walked thru the entire waiting area talking to each family, meeting the kids, shaking hands and relaying his own personal story and why the event was so important to him. Having a child with special needs I’ve learned that it’s the support of family, friends, specialist and complete strangers willing to share their own insight and compassion that keeps our momentum going onwards on the path of progress and potential.”

Ray Prentice, Partner at Alaska Airlines:

“I didn’t realize until this event that a little bit of additional training and guidance, combined with our great caring employees, could totally change people’s lives. Speaking on behalf of Alaska Airlines’ volunteers I can openly share that we had a blast. We felt a close connection with everyone at the event.”

From Sue Hanson Smith, Partner at The Port of Seattle who traveled to Boston to learn about the event and inspired us to bring it to Seattle:

“Thank you for all for pulling off a spectacular, in some cases, a life-changing event. I am so proud to be part of such a well-organized, energetic, and fun-loving team of professionals! The Arc of King County rocks! Without you we would not have had the families and the special kids to learn from.

Without Alaska Airlines we wouldn’t have been able to provide the “life-changing” experience. Thank you so much for your flexibility and your generosity in providing the airplane experience and memories to these selected families and their children. The t-shirts were the best!

And…TSA was outstanding in their ability to provide an easy, pleasant experience to the families and their children. From all the comments I heard, the first Wings for Autism at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was a great success and it’s because of all of you.”