Disability Awareness Month: Meet Mark

“It (Disability Awareness Month) means that people with developmental disabilities should be given the same opportunities that are enjoyed by everyone else.”

Mark has been with The Arc of the Quad Cities Area for just over one year. After living in the Chicago North Suburbs, Mark was looking for an agency that could support his independence that was near the Iowa border. His parents had moved to North Liberty in 2021 and his brother lives in Muscatine, Iowa. Realizing that crossing state lines would interrupt his care, he found a happy medium at The Arc of the Quad Cities Area. Mark is close with his family and living geographically closer has made it easier to keep it that way.

Mark uses a chair for his mobility and needs assistance for his care, transfers, getting dressed, etc. because of Cerebral Palsy. So finding an agency that could fit his needs was paramount. One of the services that attracted Mark was the Assistive Technology (AT) department. Before leaving his prior agency, his chair needed repair which impaired his daily activities as this prior provider did not have an in-house AT department to help him fix his chair. Knowing that The Arc has that service in-house means Mark won’t experience lags in routine chair maintenance and with peace of mind he won’t lose his only modality of transportation and independence.

Despite his challenges, Mark manages a full life in his community and enjoys spending time outside, cheering on the Cubs, and anything to do with baseball or football. Mark was also on the honor roll in school and has just been nominated to The Arc’s Board of Directors. Says Michael Glanz, The Arc’s Executive Director, “Mark has proven himself as a strong self-advocate and will be a great resource for the Board.”

What does this year’s Disability Awareness Month mean to Mark? “It means that people with developmental disabilities should be given the same opportunities that are enjoyed by everyone else.” Continues Mark, “I am glad I was born after 1990 because of the conditions for people like me before the Adults with Disabilities Act (ADA) was implemented. We were most likely put in nursing homes.”

Mark enjoys a full life in the community because of his self-advocacy and for the advocacy of so many others before him who together have worked to build a strong inclusive society that benefits all.

March is Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

 

Every March, The Arc celebrates and uplifts people with disabilities and highlights their diverse experiences. This month is an opportunity for us to spread awareness through the stories that reflect our shared humanity and the places where people with disabilities intersect in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces, and within our social networks. It is within these everyday interactions and places people are building a truly inclusive society one relationship at a time.

This month we will highlight some of the individuals served by The Arc and recognize their contributions to forming strong, diverse communities that work, play, and grow together.

Disability Awareness Night with the Steamwheelers 4.20

The Quad Cities Disabilities Awareness Coalition is a group of organizations dedicated to increasing access, inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities around the Quad Cities. Join The Arc on April 20th for a game with the Quad Cities Steamwheelers starting at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are now available for only $12.50 each.

The Arc of the Quad Cities Announces Re-Brand for Arc Industries: QC Flex

The Arc is excited to share a major milestone in our journey – the unveiling of a new brand identity for Arc Industries to QC Flex! After months of creative exploration, strategic planning, and input from our team, we are excited to introduce a fresh, professionalized face to the world.

As we have grown and adapted to the ever-changing needs of our customers and employees, we believe it’s essential to reflect our evolution and growth. This re-branding is not just about a new logo, it is a testament to our commitment to transformational change, innovation, and the spirit of flexibility that defines QC Flex. This re-brand is more than just a visual upgrade, it sets the stage for exciting developments ahead while honoring our unique way of doing business with an inclusive workforce that offers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities long-term work in an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with fairness and respect.

The logo has undergone a name change and bold transformation with a hidden chevron, symbolizing our forward-thinking approach and commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation while maintaining the core values that underpin everything we do. The new bold QC Flex brand shows our professionalism and expertise. Our tagline succinctly conveys our promise to customers: Dynamic, Customizable Business Solutions. Let us help you solve your business challenges with our flexible solutions. What’s our biggest flex? Having the ability to meet our customers’ varied needs, from document destruction to custom packaging and kitting, to corrugated box manufacturing, to government contracting – we have the FLEXability to take on even the most out-of-the-box tasks.

QC Flex will operate as a social enterprise that utilizes the power of its brand to not only advance the mission of The Arc but as a tool to showcase the value of an inclusive workforce and standards of excellence we are hoping to inspire.

Says Matt Fredericks, Division Director of Community Programs & Work Services. “We are connected to our history, our mission, the bonds of connectivity to our employees and customers which has informed our journey to becoming a social enterprise. We look forward to showcasing our capacities to the business community.”

Save the Date for The Arc’s Holiday Choir!

We hope to see you at our Holiday Choir Concert coming up Sunday, December 10 at 2:00PM. Join us for lots of fun, joy and good music!

The Winter Holiday Party 2023 is almost here!

Save the Date for the Winter Holiday Party hosted by The Arc of the Quad Cities Iowa!

man with the words Trivia Night in a box

Ready for Trivia?

Flyer

The date for the 2023 Trivia Night is Saturday, November 11th!

This event will take place at the Martin Luther King Center at 630 9th St in Rock Island, IL. Registration begins at 5:30 pm and the game begins at 6:30 pm. Bring your own snacks to the event, and get your ugly sweater ready for a fun and exciting night!

Register NOW at the following link: https://arcqca.org/events/trivia-night/

OR

Reserve a Table by contacting us at: wrights@arcqca.org | 309-786-6474

standing next to kitchen sink and running water

Meet Dustin, Dishwasher at Earl Hanson Elementary School!

standing next to kitchen sink

Dustin finds value in what he does and hopes to keep working at the Earl Hanson for a long time!

Employment is an important part of community inclusion for people with disabilities. Meaningful work fosters personal growth, equal opportunity, self-sufficiency, and independence. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Arc is celebrating the many contributions and achievements of employees with disabilities in the local workforce and raising awareness of employment-related advantages unique to hiring people with disabilities.

Meet Dustin, he washes dishes for students at Earl Hanson Elementary School, part of the Rock Island/Milan School District. Children’s voices echo in the kitchen, the excited shrieks and whoops of a Physical Education class are underway in an adjacent classroom. But that doesn’t distract Dustin from getting his workstation ready for the day with the correct levels of hot water of the three-sink method he uses to clean, rinse, and sanitize the dishes and pans used to feed students at the school. Dustin workplace isn’t where he starts the day, but it plays an important role in his daily routine and is a source of pride and financial advancement.

Dustin starts his day at The Arc building and then walks over to Earl Hanson located immediately adjacent to his job as a dishwasher. When he arrives, he dons the white apron and hairnet that all of his colleagues wear in the bustling kitchen. Then he starts on the dishes from breakfast before lunch pots and pans start to come in. When he’s done cleaning and sanitizing, he has lunch at the school and then walks back to The Arc building. Dustin feels valued and welcomed there, and his paycheck allows him to pursue his interests, something he’s very proud of.

Although Dustin has worked for the school district for only eighteen months, he hopes to stay there indefinitely. Says Dustin, “I really like it there. I hope I get to stay there a long time.” This is music to the ears of kitchen supervisors who struggle to fill vacancies in a role that may be seen as entry-level, yet plays a crucial role in ensuring that commercial kitchens can operate smoothly and efficiently. Says Dustin’s supervisor Sharon, “He’s really good. We put him to good use.” At Earl Hanson, everyone is part of a team of people who make sure students get the proper nutrition they need to learn and grow.

Many employers are discovering that hiring people with disabilities can help to diversify their workforce with loyal and committed employees often have the knock-on effects of improved employee morale and innovation in the workplace. Says Dustin of his job, “I hope this is my forever job.” Dustin’s enthusiasm demonstrates the advantages of hiring people with disabilities. His flexible work arrangement is a small accommodation that has provided benefits to Dustin and the school district with just-in-time labor. Small accommodations can eliminate some of the barriers people with disabilities experience that have kept them out of the workforce. Many of those stigmas have been internalized by people with disabilities who may not see themselves as a valued part of the job pool. Dustin has advice for anyone who might be experiencing this:

“Put some effort into it. Be focused. It took a while to land my job. Keep working hard. You can do it.”

During the month of October, we will be showcasing inclusive workplace practices that benefit disabled workers and employers. More and more employers are trying out-of-the-box thinking to address a tight labor market. Opportunities favor creative approaches, find out how The Arc’s Community Employment Services program can benefit your team at www.arcqca.org.

Guy typing on Keyboards

Meet Tyler, a Loan Quality Specialist for QCR Holdings Inc. #NDEAM2023

Analyst

Tyler chose not to be pictured. He creates value by utilizing his knowledge to provide excellent attention to detail skills, and screen for potential loan issues.

Employment is an important part of community inclusion for people with disabilities. Meaningful work fosters personal growth, equal opportunity, self-sufficiency, and independence. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Arc is celebrating the many contributions and achievements of employees with disabilities in the local workforce and raising awareness of employment-related advantages unique to hiring people with disabilities.

Meet Tyler, a Loan Quality Specialist for QCR Holdings Inc. in Davenport. As an individual who identifies himself as a person with Asperger’s syndrome, he excels as a Quality Specialist where he gives meticulous attention to detail crucial to identifying and addressing even minor issues. Tyler double-checks that the information in their system is also correct on paper. His focus and dedication have contributed to high-quality outcomes. Say’s Jenny Miller, Director of Community Employment Services, “Tyler is the perfect candidate for his job.”

Tyler’s strengths in the workforce would not have been allowed to shine if not for the support of The Arc’s Community Employment Services program. Tyler was referred to The Arc through the Autism Society. He had found some quality matches in the job market, he just needed to refine how he packaged his educational and professional experience. Tyler graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Museum Studies and Biology from St. Ambrose University. He was working as a Contractor for the US Army Joint Munitions Command on the Rock Island Arsenal when his contract ended and he was looking for work.

Tyler was given some tools to track his interviews and most importantly the practice to help refine his delivery. Says Tyler, “That really, really helped. I was at a disadvantage.” People with Asperger’s can generally have good language skills, but they might still have difficulty picking up social cues or understanding context which can hinder their understanding of humor, sarcasm, or non–literal language which can come up in an interview. They also discussed whether or not to disclose his disability during the interview process. In Tyler’s case, he decided to disclose. Fortunately, the interviewer worked with other people like Tyler and was familiar with Asperger’s which helped open the flow of communication and created an atmosphere of mutual understanding where Tyler felt comfortable to discuss his strengths. After another interview and an aptitude test, Tyler was hired in his role at QCR Holdings.

Tyler has advice for anyone with a disability who might be looking for work. “It’s hard for everyone not just for people with Asperger’s. You are not the only ones.” Having a resource like The Arc made a difference for Tyler. “I do not view my Asperger’s as an excuse – I view it as an opportunity to get better every day.”

Employers like QCR Holdings are benefitting from the attributes that people with disabilities bring to the workforce. In Tyler’s case no special accommodations needed to be made to unlock his potential. Simply knowing where Tyler was coming from, made a big difference in establishing open lines of communication and clear expectations. As more people like Tyler are able to get the support they need to enter the workforce, employers are perfecting their practices to allow for a more neurologically diverse workforce and are rewarded with an extended talent pool.

The Arc would not have been able to help people like Tyler if not for the funding of the Genesis Health Foundation Community Assistance Funds for People with Disabilities which provided the gap funding needed to assist individuals who would not otherwise qualify for services. There are many people who are just outside of the service funding parameters that still require assistance to help them shine in the workforce. The Arc is grateful for its visionary leadership in this area.

During the month of October, we will be showcasing inclusive workplace practices that benefit disabled workers and employers. More and more employers are trying out-of-the-box thinking to address a tight labor market. Opportunities favor creative approaches, find out how The Arc’s Community Employment Services program can benefit your team at www.arcqca.org.

NDEAM Rehabact flyer

Celebrating 50 years of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 #RehabAct50

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a significant milestone in the fight for a diverse and equitable workforce. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first federal legislation to address access and equity for people with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in federal agency programs, programs that receive federal financial assistance, federal employment, and the employment practices of federal contractors. The Act is divided into several sections, with Section 504 aiming to make educational programs and facilities accessible to all.

Learn More:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/rehabilitation_act_50
https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973