Introduction
The Association for Intellectual and Developmental Challenges Citizens (ARC) is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serving them and their families. ARC has more than 600 local chapters and has been approved for people with disabilities for 70 years. In addition, ARC regularly participates in national support programs and is involved in community transformation at the national political and state levels (The Arc, 2021b). ARC’s programs allow the community to unite and visibly integrate internationally because the staff regularly conducts training and educational activities.
The ARC organization aims to support all people with disabilities to ensure a comfortable life in society. Its motto is equality of all people regardless of the presence of a disability (The Arc, 2021b). The organization is interested in giving all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities equal opportunities to achieve their goals. The most crucial goal of the Arc is to meet the needs of people with IDD and improve their quality of life.
Mission and Goals of the Organization. Populations Served
The mission of the Arc is to create a trusting space in which both small and large groups can receive timely moral, social and financial support. The promotion and protection of the human rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the active support of integration and participation in society throughout their lives are prevalent (The Arc, 2021a). Alan Abramowitz, the chief executive officer, believes that the company’s primary goals focus on regulating communication processes and equalizing the rights of those served. In addition, he suggests looking at the local community as strong and intelligent people who only need to be made to understand that support will be given because this is the only way to develop.
The company’s guiding principles are built on advocacy, unification, consensus, openness, and partnership. Abramowitz suggests looking at leadership as an incentive that an individual uses to overcome the fears of a social group. In addition, he points out that coalition with other community organizations and the opportunity for open dialogue will be a significant advantage in any endeavor (The Arc, 2021a). He suggests that any interaction with the leading target group should be seen as dialogue and communication on an equal footing, rather than blindly directing people. It is clear from the conversation with the Arc representative that the organization places universal human principles above its work benefits. The organization works with various groups of people with disabilities, allowing it to weave collective experience into its practices seamlessly.
The Arc is committed to a future of rights and freedoms for people with disabilities that do not violate universal equality principles. The organization has developed a strategic framework for the future, which is the primary direction for work at all levels of intervention (The Arc, 2021a). This program was created primarily due to the powerful impact of the pandemic on society and especially on the rights of persons with disabilities. Abramowitz states that the Arc is now focused on rebuilding and improving human rights mechanisms and tools. Staff members are engaged in professional development to contribute to a just society and create a diverse field where everyone can achieve their goals.
The Arc’s position is that groups of adults and children with intellectual disabilities should be supported by everyone interested in creating an equal state. The Arc believes that this layer of the population is the least protected, and human rights organizations should direct their efforts to develop the rights of people with disabilities. Each of their charges must have access to social, physical, and mental well-being for the organization. Based on the principles of respect, support, and care, the Arc has built a functioning, successful program for the integration of disabled persons with IDD into society.
Service Areas
ARC’s primary target groups are children, adults, and families with individuals with IDD. The organization strives to create a community environment where seeking help will not be shameful and perceived as usual. ARC serves these groups because it follows its mission of equal access to public goods. The organization believes that its initiatives and innovative programs contribute significantly to the protection and promotion of the rights of people with IDD. All the initiatives implemented directly affect the groups because they are embedded in every segment of society. ARC’s goal is to achieve the full integration of people with IDD into society, and the breadth of their programs is tremendous.
The human rights segment of ARC covers criminal justice and employment, seeking to influence how the legal processes for individuals with IDD occur. Primarily, the organization acts on aspects related to the stigma and victimization of disability that causes people to continue to receive longer sentences than healthy individuals (The Arc, 2021c). In addition, ARC attorneys believe that they have the responsibility to regulate the communications in the human rights field and troubleshoot the problems of biased, unavailable services that accompany people with IDD. In the area of employment, ARC struggles with the way employers frame strategies to terminate employees with mental disabilities (The Arc, 2021c). Lawyers are developing plans to support people with IDD in integrating them into the workforce in a way that does not discriminate against them or violate their fundamental rights.
Health, education, and planning for the future are not insignificant aspects of the Arc. Among the critical wellness programs implemented by the organization, obesity prevention initiatives are at the top of the list. In 2021, The Arc and Comcast NBC Universal teamed up again to open digital doors for and with people with IDD (The Arc, 2021a). According to research, people with disabilities are more likely to experience this problem and its consequences: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke (The Arc, 2021c). Individualized physical activity and health education programs for people with IDD have been in place since 2012, and nearly a thousand people have already received support.
In education, the Arc advocates for the participation of people with IDD in general education and schools. Among the organization’s achievements is the passage of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which they helped to pass. The Arc advocates for no segregation for children and adolescents who should receive an education. The organization believes that their exclusion will inevitably lead to deterioration in higher education and will set up additional barriers for people with disabilities. A special section of Arc School promotes the inclusion of students in schools. It is responsible for ensuring that cases of harassment and discrimination are immediately referred to as human rights.
Plans for the Future is a guide for people with IDD to live a life of dignity as independently as possible. The Arc believes that the challenges people with IDD may face may hinder their future goals (The Arc, 2021c). The organization’s resources are available to help with finding housing, paying for belongings, and household services. In addition, ARC promotes financial and social decisions that would make planning for the future much more accessible. The Futures Planning Center offers online training on future planning and ways to support people with IDD.
According to the Arc’s Chief Executive Officer, small groups in society (including ethnic and racial groups) continue to have difficulty with social and financial support. He cites that these groups find it difficult to cope as society changes and begins to help them. He understands that ARC cannot always be trusted because not every client-facing discrimination or violence is willing to accept help easily. Abramowitz believes that the organization can help them cope with the humiliation they have experienced and work through that trauma. ARC recognizes that there are cultural differences among persons with IDD but does not single them out or use the tools of discrimination. The organization considers people’s ethnic and racial characteristics in counseling and assistance but does not distinguish between groups. Instead, staff members create a barrier-free environment where all aid focuses on providing support according to their disability. ARC denies the need for segregation based on skin color so small groups can receive social development and well-being incentives.
Improving the Quality of Life
Through the work of the ARC, perceptions of who needs help and that there is no shame in asking for it can change significantly. Many small groups continue to shy away from their support needs because societal stereotypes are too pressuring and transformative. Social services continue to be inaccessible in many parts of the U.S., and organizations like ARC can make a difference. Its positive impact is creating a solid platform where clients can get reliable information about social services, access contacts, and report their problems.
The Arc’s services touch on aspects that a client does not immediately think about, so support programs can be relevant and improve lives. It is worth noting that the implementation of assistance takes place with the help of volunteers, which improves the attitudes of individuals with IDD toward the programs offered (The Arc, 2021b). The Arc can change public attitudes toward people with disabilities, correct the policy of blaming individuals for their disease, and motivate them to achieve new aspirations. In many ways, a positive approach and regular psychological and moral support facilitate the integration of persons with IDD into society.
Additional Relevance Confirmations
Among the materials that seem interesting to study on the topic, an article described the difficulties encountered by mothers with IDD. Because the Arc covers all families with disabilities, Heifetz et al.’s paper (2019) is an organically integrated piece of research. The paper discusses the risk factors that may cause mothers with IDD to have difficulties requiring social worker intervention. Authors provide a broad overview of how IDD is related to mental illness and why mothers need support (Heifetz et al., 2019). As with the principles of the Arc, authors point out those programs to help mothers improve their physical health and psychological health should be developed (Heifetz et al., 2019). In many ways, this article confirms that a lack of social services and moral support often triggers the deterioration of the integration of persons with IDD into society.
People with IDD are widely discussed in the community in the context of different headlines and topics: some publications cover medical advances, and others cover how social services support people. A recent Fairfax County Times newspaper highlighted the work of Best Buddies, which helps people with IDD with communication, employment, and social support (Schofield, 2022). The organization recently held a friendly march that included students and people with IDD. Staff members say these events demonstrate the inclusiveness of people with disabilities by promoting inclusion (Schofield, 2022). Best Buddies operates in the educational segment, helping students get jobs and higher education at colleges and universities.
Many social service organizations volunteer to help people in need. For example, St. Joseph’s Center in Pennsylvania has regular openings that require workers (Leckey, 2022). Volunteers help people with IDD: each serves one person with a disability and leads them for some time. The employees’ task is to promote psychological stability for adults with IDD and help them (Leckey, 2022). In addition, the organization provides outpatient and inpatient care, which can include preventive measures for specific diseases of IDD.
Conclusion
The conducted research allowed us to establish that many organizations operate in the United States which provide social and other assistance to the population. Among them stands out The Association for Intellectual and Developmental Challenges Citizens (ARC). It functions as a support center for the people on the main aspects of life. The staff performs human rights, educational, psychological, and medical support and regularly conducts professional development training for workers and volunteers. The organization seeks to minimize the stigmatization of IDD in society and improve people’s quality of life.
References
Heifetz, M., Brown, H. K., Chacra, M. A., Tint, A., Vigod, S., Bluestein, D., & Lunsky, Y. (2019). Mental health challenges and resilience among mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disability and health journal,12 (4), 602-607. Web.
Leckey, R. (2022). It’s National Volunteer Week – Here are different ways to volunteer in our area. The News Station. Web.
Schofield, M. (2022). Local nonprofit provides friendship, job opportunities. Fairfax County Times. Web.
The Arc. (2021a). For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc. Web.
The Arc. (2021b). News. The Arc of Florida. Web.
The Arc. (2021c). Our initiatives. The Arc. Web.