The Gatekeepers: Behind The Arc of Tri-Cities
Since the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed (it states that individuals with a disability shall not be discriminated against under any program receiving federal financing or assistance), progress has been made, but there’s still room for improvement. That act was just a starting point for establishing civil rights for individuals with developmental disabilities: from there, conversations could begin to occur, discriminatory issues could be addressed, and amendments could be made.
Institutional changes, however, aren’t afforded the same arbitrary luxuries that we’re used to. We assume that if something is broken, we can come up with a single solution to fix it; there is, however, no one-size-fits-all fix for societal injustices or discriminatory practices.
Although the phrase “Basic Human Rights for Everyone” seems self-explanatory, additional policies needed to be written to address why individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities must also have, and in fact deserve, basic human rights. Those policies also needed to provide the safeguards necessary to implement full inclusion. The people who partner with and work for The Arc of Tri-Cities act as the delivery mechanism—the gatekeepers—to see that their clients actually get the human rights that they deserve under the law.
Statistics show that vulnerable populations in general are at greater risk of experiencing exploitation and abuse than is the general population. The Arc of Tri-Cities promotes the rights of individuals to experience full inclusion, but does so in a way that protects them as well. It creates continuing opportunities for more than 2,000 clients who reside within Benton and Franklin Counties to safely participate in society on a regular basis. The Arc does so with support from the federal government, The Arc Foundation, the Three Rivers Community Foundation, United Way, partners such as McCurley Integrity Auto Dealership, parents, other family members, and volunteers.
Each year it is estimated that nearly 1,000 volunteers donate their time to assist staff and clients with the more than twenty programs that The Arc of Tri-Cities offers. All of these programs are uniquely different from one another, yet are designed with the same single mission of providing clients with opportunities to live their best and fullest lives. “It gets them to the next step to normal,” said Marilyn Rausch who is responsible for fund development and partnerships for The Arc of Tri-Cities—along with being the mother of, and fierce advocate for, her son who utilizes its services.
Another way in which The Arc of Tri-Cities continues to bring awareness of and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is through active fundraising—like hosting their annual spring dinner and auction to be held this May, participating in community events such as running the concession booth at the up-coming Art in the Park this July, educating peers and public through outreach programs, and providing access to community resources through their website. The hard work and persistence of non-profit organizations such as The Arc of Tri-Cities, citizen-advocates, and parents like Marilyn are what provide the necessary impetus for our laws and language to continue to progress and evolve over time. They are the gatekeepers that our society needs today so that their clients have hope for tomorrow.
Read the full feature in our magazine here.
Visit the Arc’s website to donate or get involved: arcoftricities.com
All photos by Images by Bre. FB: Images by Bre. Insta: Images by Bre.
This feature is generously sponsored by McCurley Integrity Dealerships.