IN THIS ISSUE...
  • Help Hanna “Channel Kindness”
  • We Are Counting On You! It's Time For Year-end Gift Giving
  • Take A Survey About Frustrating Surveys
  • Seeking Siblings For National Sibling Council
  • Influence Advocacy – Participate In CDDC Survey
  • Disability Rights & Mental Health In Higher Education
Help Hanna "Channel Kindness"

What is free, feels REALLY good, inspires others, gives hope, AND offers unlimited rewards? Kindness. During these challenging times, kindness can be a salve for our souls.

Administering some of that kindness is award-winning reporter, writer, public speaker, and self-advocate Hanna Atkinson.

We’re delighted to be connected with Hanna, a good friend who has participated in LifeAbility Talks and the debut of our Street Team. She was one of the first reporters for Lady Gaga’s Channel Kindness initiative through her Born This Way Foundation. To learn more about Hanna, CLICK HERE.

The digital platform, Channel Kindness, was designed to be “a safe space for young people to tell their stories of kindness, resilience, and community.”

Three of Hanna’s stories featured on Channel Kindness were selected to be included in a book called “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community,” published in September of this year and available at most book retailers.

If you would like to read Hanna’s blog post about her work with Channel Kindness CLICK HERE. You can also visit Channel Kindness to read inspirational stores and learn more about their work HERE. If you are interested in purchasing the book, CLICK HERE.

Most importantly, be kind.
We Are Counting On You!
It’s time for year-end gift giving

The gift you make to The Arc today—whether $20 or $200—will help ensure that hundreds of individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers continue to receive life-changing advocacy and essential information.

A monthly gift of whatever size fits your budget allows you to spread out your giving over time, and allows The Arc to count on steady funding, so we can be prepared for whatever comes next.

If you’d rather make a one-time gift, we will be equally grateful to you, of course!

Join with us and help ensure people with disabilities can live their fullest lives. Make your year-end gift CLICK HERE today.

And if you’ve already made your year-end gift, THANK YOU for believing in The Arc, and people with disabilities!
Take A Survey About Frustrating Surveys
Participate and earn a $50 gift card

How many times have you taken a survey (or tried to take a survey) only to find the survey wasn’t easy to navigate or was too hard to understand and follow?

Ariel Schwartz, a researcher from Boston University, would like to find a solution. She is conducting interviews with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to learn how to make surveys more accessible for those with I/DD.

If you participate in an interview, which can take between 1 and 2 hours of your time, you can earn a $50 “thank you” gift card!

Everything you say will be private. Your opinions are critical because this information will help many in the future, including doctors, therapists, and others who work in healthcare.

To learn more or request to be a participant, CLICK HERE to send an email to Ariel Schwartz.

This study is funded by the National Research Consortium on Mental Health in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on this organization, CLICK HERE.
Seeking Siblings For National Sibling Council
 
Siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often shaped by their family experiences as children, and even as adults. Many of them develop a desire to use their unique perspective to advocate for their brother or sister. If this describes you, you might appreciate this opportunity to get involved with disability rights activism.

The Arc’s 2021-2022 National Sibling Council is currently looking for siblings to get involved through council membership.

To participate in the National Sibling Council and take a leadership role in The Arc, simply apply prior to the February 5, 2021 deadline. CLICK HERE to be taken to the application.

For more information, you can contact Liz Mahar by email, CLICK HERE.
Influence Advocacy - Participate in CDDC Survey

We know it is a busy time of the year, but can you spare a few minutes to answer a short 12-question survey from The Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC)?

The organization needs help from Coloradans with I/DD including, self-advocates, families, colleagues, and everyone in their networks, to share information on critical unmet needs affecting their lives.

The CDDC plans to use your responses to plan advocacy work through 2026, so your answers now will affect advocacy for years to come!

The survey is available in December in both English and Spanish. CLICK HERE (English) CLICK HERE (Spanish) to share your opinions and experiences.
Disability Rights & Mental Health in Higher Education
A panel discussion

Self-Advocacy for Survival: Disability Rights & Mental Health in Higher Education is a panel discussion hosted by the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network.

Panelists will discuss mental health issues affecting students with cognitive, developmental, neurological, and learning disabilities, and the challenges to finding meaningful, affordable, and long-term mental health services at many universities.

Join this discussion tomorrow, Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM MST. It’s free. Simply CLICK HERE to register and read more.

During this panel discussion, current and recent students with disabilities will discuss their work to engage campus partners and advocate for improvements.

ASL interpretation (with a certified interpreter), Live Event Captioning, as well as video and audio-only connection options will be provided.
THE ARC IS OPEN - OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED (UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)

In an effort to protect our clients, staff, board, volunteers and community members, The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties physical offices will be closed effective immediately (Friday, March 13) until further notice due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Please note that services will continue to be provided, as staff will be working remotely and communicating via phone, text and email. All in-person meetings, events and scheduled trainings will be canceled or postponed. When our physical offices reopen, our website and social media platforms will provide such information. CLICK HERE for more information.