In This Issue:

• Bringing Much-Needed Skills to Work: Joan's Story
• 14 Years of Rosa's Law
• Disability Rights Taskforce Seeks Input on Ideas
• Apply for Colorado Family Respite Voucher
• Arc Chapters Recovering from Hurricane Damage
• Sign the Petition to Stop School Seclusion and Restraints

Bringing Much-Needed Skills to Work: Joan's Story

At a Natural Grocers in Colorado, someone with the right qualities is needed to help the store thrive. The store needs someone helpful to assist with special projects. It needs someone hardworking to help customers carry groceries to their car. And it needs someone who speaks multiple languages so customers do not face communication barriers. 

Long-time employee Joan Jurann is the perfect fit.

Each workday starts the same for Joan – she arrives, puts her purse away, puts on her apron, and checks in. But after that, each day can look a little bit different, with Joan ready to help with a variety of tasks.

14 Years of Rosa's Law

This month marks 14 years since Rosa’s Law was signed into law in October 2010. Rosa’s Law was named after Rosa Marcellino. Rosa has Down Syndrome, and when she was in school, her mother did not want the r-word to be used in Rosa’s IEP (Individualized Education Program), which ultimately led to the creation of this important law.

Rosa’s Law ended the use of the r-word in federal laws and policies, replacing the word with the term “intellectual disability.” Then and now, this change has been a crucial reminder that discriminatory language should have no place in our society.

Though usage of the r-word has declined, media outlets have reported that some people are using this word again. By reminding others that this word is offensive and unacceptable, we can stop this trend and build a culture that respects and includes all people with disabilities.

To read more about what you can do to stand against usage of the r-word, visit The Arc US’s blog. To learn more about how Rosa’s Law was established, watch this video from Special Olympics.

Disability Rights Taskforce Seeks Input on Ideas

Are you passionate about making sure that people with disabilities can access outdoor spaces, housing, and more? If you are, you can make your voice heard through surveys from The Task Force Related to the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities.

Created by the government, the taskforce’s job is to study and make recommendations about issues that affect people with disabilities. The taskforce is made up of four subcommittees: the Outdoors, Housing, Government, and Rewrite subcommittees. Learn more about each here.

In January, the taskforce will make its recommendations. But first, through a survey, each subcommittee is seeking input on the recommendations it may make.

All members of the public can take any or all of the four surveys. The surveys will be open until October 25. Click here to take the surveys or to learn more.

Apply for Colorado Family Respite Voucher

The application process is open for the Colorado Family Respite Voucher! This voucher from the Colorado Respite Coalition can help pay for the cost of respite services so an unpaid family caregiver can take a temporary break.

Those caring for family members of any age, with any extensive healthcare need, are invited to apply. Please note that this program is a payer of last resort. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn more about who is eligible for this voucher or to apply, visit the Colorado Family Respite Voucher webpage.

Arc Chapters Recovering from Hurricane Damage

With September and October came two major hurricanes that hit Florida and neighboring states – Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. As those affected continue to repair the damage caused by the storms, several chapters of The Arc are also working to recover.

For those interested, there are several ways you can take part in these recovery efforts. Please read on for more information.

The Arc Nature Coast (Shady Hills, FL)

This chapter experienced damage at multiple group homes, including one home where a tree fell through the roof. The chapter anticipates it will pay out-of-pocket restoration costs between $75,000-$100,000. To support this chapter, click here.

The Arc Tampa Bay (Clearwater, FL)

This chapter sustained damage to 2 of its 17 group homes, including water intrusion. This chapter does not have a specific donation page for hurricane relief. Any donations for this effort can be made through the general donation link on the chapter’s homepage.

The Arc of Volusia (Daytona Beach, FL)

This chapter sustained damages to its campus and facilities, though the chapter has reported that damage appears to be minimal so far. Several staff members have been without power, and one staff member's home has significant flooding damage. This chapter does not have a specific donation page for hurricane relief. Any donations for its efforts can be made through its general donation page.

The Arc of Bradford County, The Arc of North Carolina, and The Arc of North Florida are also fundraising to repair damage to their sites and support affected communities. To read our previous article about these chapters, click here.

Sign the Petition to Stop School Seclusion and Restraints

Did you know that 101,000 students are subjected to restraints and seclusion in school each year? Furthermore, 80% of these cases involve students with disabilities, and students of color are disproportionately affected, according to The Arc of the United States.

As a reminder, seclusion is the involuntary confinement of a student to a room or area in which the student is alone and cannot physically leave. Restraint is when a student’s movement is restricted or the student is completely immobilized. Restraints can be physical or mechanical. Research has shown that both the seclusion and restraint of students have devastatingly led to severe traumatization, anxiety, physical injuries, and death in some cases.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act would ban the use of seclusion in schools and would prohibit the use of restraints in many cases. The bill is currently under consideration by Congress.

If you would like to voice your support for this bill, sign the petition! Through The Arc US, you can add your name to the petition to show that you are opposed to seclusion and restraint in schools. Click here to sign or to learn more.