The Root of it All | The Arc of NC Blog
The Rooted in Advocacy Conference
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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Author: Bryan Dooley
I’m getting excited, as one of my favorite disability advocacy events is making its annual appearance. This will be my third time attending The Arc of North Carolina’s Rooted in Advocacy conference. This year, the conference will be held on March 29th at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem. The first time I attended this event I was covering it for a local newspaper called The Camel City Dispatch. I had a great time that year because as a journalist, I was able to interview many of the attendees and presenters. It felt great to soak up some of their excitement towards self-advocacy. Last year when I attended, I had the honor to address the group as a panelist representing a new initiative called the NC Empowerment Network (NCEN). This year will a completely different experience because I won’t have any responsibility other than to enjoy and learn.
2018: Year in Review
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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The past 12 months have been busy ones for The Arc of North Carolina. We’ve been celebrating our 65th anniversary, and we’ve gone to Capitol Hill and the N.C. General Assembly to advocate for the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. We hosted our Rooted in Advocacy conference for 300 attendees. We’ve increased our employee roster to better serve the growing needs of the I/DD community. We’ve expanded our housing program to ensure more options are available for people with I/DD and severe persistent mental illness.
There have been challenges too. In September, North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Florence. Many of our families and staff were impacted. But we came together and worked hard to try and get folks back on their feet.
Update: Voter ID
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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At The Arc of North Carolina, we work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to ensure that they have access to the same rights and privileges as everyone else. The things that you hold important in your life - decisions about where you work, who you socialize with, where you worship, where you live - those are the same decisions people with I/DD want to make, too. Every day, we work towards that goal.
People with I/DD want to participate and make contributions to their community and society as a whole. Research has shown that if an individual with a disability is able to engage in daily activities, their quality of life increases. It’s crucial that people with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities as everyone else.
2018 Annual Report
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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View our 2018 Annual Report here.
Broken Pavement, Broken Promises
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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Author: Bryan Dooley
Since I live in the suburbs, I don’t go downtown Winston Salem frequently. I recently traveled on the sidewalks downtown on the way to a meeting. We were looking to find a parking spot, but there were issues with the sidewalks. Since there is a lot of revitalization, a cone was blocking the ramp. Dave (who provides support to me) was attempting to allow me to navigate, but eventually he had to step in and move it for me. I’m not the only person to notice accessibility issues in downtown Winston Salem.
Aging Caregivers: Planning for the Future
- Posted by The Arc of North Carolina
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Author: Bryan Dooley
Ever since Ponce de Leon came to the new world, supposedly looking for the Fountain of Youth, we have been looking for ways to stay young forever. Some of us eat certain foods and take lots of vitamin supplements. Youth has also been the subject of many songs and books, but the fact is everyone eventually ages.
For understandable reasons, such as fear, many parents of people with disabilities have put off imperative planning for life transitions as they age. Although it can be an uncomfortable conversation, it’s a good idea to plan ahead of time on a personal and state level. Documented in the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities Project, In 2015, 68% of North Carolinians who receive I/DD services live at home with a family caregiver. The I/DD system in North Carolina will face a tremendous challenge as the caregivers age.
