Preparing for the Gala

Message from Executive Director

Carlene I. Leaper

A season of change.....

As we enter into a new school year, an election year, a world that is constantly evolving, and students with an IEP, 504, or receiving early intervention, vocational training, or who are newly diagnosed...

We believe everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. We still have work to do, and it’s our opportunity and responsibility to bring disability inclusion to the forefront and hold ourselves accountable for progress.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. The crisp, cool air, the vibrant change of the leaves, and the festive spirit of Halloween make it a truly magical time of year. But beyond the beauty of this season, it’s also a time known for change and abundance.

Our team is working tirelessly, day in and day out, to fuel the disability rights movement. We are committed to creating more inclusive futures for school-aged students and young adults with learning disabilities. Just like the leaves transform into a breathtaking tapestry of colors in the fall, we, too, are dedicated to bringing about transformation and positive change in the lives of those we serve.

I also wanted to take a moment to remind you about our upcoming annual benefit gala. This event is an opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate our achievements, and raise essential funds to support our mission. Your presence and support at this year’s event, "Changing Lives, Celebrating Independence, Cultivating Inclusion", make a significant impact, and we are excited to share this special occasion with you.

As we move forward into this season of change, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all of you. May your fall be filled with joy, vibrant colors, and the promise of new beginnings. Together, we can continue to make strides toward a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that this season will bring. Please support this year’s event to help us continue providing the literacy training and advocacy our community needs.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Carlene I. Leaper

Lids Partners with The Arc

Visit Lids during August and Enter the Photo Contest

Lids is the #1 place for hats – all teams, all styles, and all brands. Hats, shirts, jerseys and more from official leagues and brands. The Arc is proud to have Lids as a partner and supporter of our mission.

From now until August 31, take a photo or video of yourself supporting The Arc at a Lids store. Lids will customize a new hat with The Arc’s logo for $7 (plus the cost of the hat), or you could wear something you already have branded with The Arc. If you don’t have branded merchandise, just be yourself!

When you have The Arc's logo embroidered on a hat, the full cost goes to support The Arc national office. You can also round up your purchase to the nearest dollar, and the change also goes to The Arc national office. These funds help support the mission of promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

By entering the photo contest, you could win an iPad, noise canceling headphones, hats from Lids, and more. To enter, post your photo or video on your public Instagram feed and include #LidsGives in your post, or click the link below.

Click Here to Enter

Get Ready to Vote!

Register Now So You Will Be Ready

This year is a presidential election year, and it is important for every capable citizen to vote, including individuals with disabilities. To be eligible to vote, you must register with the county where you live, at least 30 days before election day. See below for sources of information about voting from the Tennessee Disability Coalition, as well as links for registering to vote.

Tennessee Disability Scorecard

State of the Disability Vote in Tennessee

Students Begin New School Year

L.E.T.S. Students Resume Classes

Our Life Education Training & Skills (L.E.T.S.) students returned to classes Tuesday, July 9. Their first session was a great start to the new program year. Each student had the opportunity to share their experiences during their 5-week break. The students shared various activities, including out-of-town trips, family reunions, watching movies and swimming.

All the students are excited and ready to get back to work. The subjects they will learn about this month include money comprehension and budgeting; spelling, reading, writing, and comprehension; healthy eating and no-cook recipes; and computer training. The class will also have a guest speaker from the Shelby County Health Department who will talk about healthy eating and safe sex practices.

Vivian Douglas, our new Program Director, and Mildred Shores, our L.E.T.S. Instructor, are eager to help the students learn the skills they need to live productive lives within their communities.

Sponsor Corner

J. Strickland & Co.

J. Strickland & Co. is a distributor of multicultural hair care and skin care products. We thank J. Strickland for their generous contribution to our literacy programs. Sponsors like J. Strickland allow us to continue to support our mission of "Empowering People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Achieve Their Full Potential."

Upcoming Events

Community News

AutismTN's Unveiling Autistic Identity community group provides a welcoming space for adults who are discovering their Autistic identity later in life. As professional and public understanding of autism continues to improve, many people are becoming aware that they are Autistic in adulthood, either through a professional diagnosis or self-identification, often as a result of seeking mental health support or when their children are diagnosed.

This group fosters inclusive and supportive conversation and connection for late-identified Autistic people to share experiences and offer mutual support, explore their newfound identity and examine what it means for their lives, share in the self-discovery process, and empower each other to embrace their Autistic identity and become self-advocates.

This group typically meets on Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month, 6:30pm - 8:00pm Central Time.