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.”

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: