Upcoming Events
Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Held at The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store
American People Membership Meeting Monday, August 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm Held at The Bismarck Public Library Action Topic: Emergency Readiness
The Arc of Bismarck has stipends available for individuals with disabilities and family members to attend conferences and educational seminars. Please fill out the Stipends Request Form for full consideration. |
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News
The Arc of Bismarck Celebrates Twenty Years of the ADA
On July 26, 2010 The Arc of Bismarck hosted a rally at the Capitol to celebrate twenty years of advancement in equality and independence for people with disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark federal legislation opened up services and employment opportunities to millions of Americans with disabilities. This law struck a balance between reasonable accommodations and the capacity of private and public entities to respond. Essentially the five titles of the law work to eliminate illegal discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA was incremental to the disability community and has greatly benefited individuals with disabilities since it was enacted in 1990 and will continue to enhance independence and equality for many years into the future. The Rally featured
speakers including: Juna Wentz, a self-advocate from Fessenden, ND; Emma Lewis-Sullivan a national expert on ADA from Indianapolis. The rally also had a performance of Grease by LISTEN Performing Arts Center & Self Advocacy Solutions of North Dakota. Congressman Pomeroy, Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad provided a written letter commenting on the ADA which was presented by a group of staffers. For news coverage of the event please follow the links.
Month of Money July Calendar Raffle Winners:
7/1/10 $50 Dennis Rosenkranz
7/2/10 $50 Sue Tesky
7/4/10 $500 Diana Zietz
7/5/10 $75 Margaret Hofmann
7/6/10 $50 Paige Goodman
7/7/10 $50 Mindy Jost
7/8/10 $50 Donna Just
7/9/10 $50 Walter Wisham
7/12/10 $75 Wendy Kaseman
7/13/10 $50 Penny Friday
7/14/10 $50 H. John Loerch
7/15/10 $50 Joe Hicks
7/16/10 $50 John Glaser
7/19/10 $75 Deborah Foster
7/20/10 $50 Derick Roller
7/21/10 $50 Mary Pat & Nick Archueleta
7/22/10 $50 Veronica Zietz
7/23/10 $50 Joyce Smith
7/26/10 $75 Brenda Parker
7/27/10 $50 Darcy Severson
7/28/10 $50 Kathy Puklich
7/29/10 $50 Lorrie Nantt
7/30/10 $50
2010 Disability Policy Seminar
The Arc of Bismarck had representation at the 2010 Disability Policy Seminar which was sponsored by The Arc of the the United States, United Cerebral Palsy, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. The seminar was held April 12-14 in Washington DC, with the purpose being to advocate in a bipartisan manner for national public policies promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. The Arc held meetings with each of North Dakotas federal delegates to discuss important pieces of legislation being voted on right now. Check out the fact sheets below for more information on specific bills.
Emergency Readiness Town Hall Meeting
The Arc of Bismarck sponsored a town hall meeting on April 8, 2010 focused around Emergency Readiness for people with disabilities. Speakers shared personal experiences of past disasters, available resources in the community and suggestions for planning for emergency situations. Watch the town hall meeting online now.
Spread the Word to End the Word
It is time we Spread the Word to End the Word and build awareness for society to stop and think about its use of the R-word. That R-word is something hurtful and painful - "retard" or "retarded." Most people don't think of this word as hate speech, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and friends. This word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur. Visit www.r-word.org to make your pledge today.
People around the world are taking a stand and raising awareness of the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the words "retard" or "retarded" and are helping encourage others to think before they speak.
Up to three percent of the world's population have intellectual disabilities - that's 200 million people around the world. It's the largest disability population in the world, perhaps you know someone?
People are encouraging everyone to visit www.r-word.org and make their pledge to not use the R-word and have set a goal of reaching 100,000 pledges on March 3, 2010.
We ask that you help us change the conversation and help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word from today's popular youth vernacular and replace it with "respect." We are asking for your help in creating a more accepting world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and all those people that may appear different, but have unique gifts and talents to share with the world.
We're asking every person - young and old - to help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word a common taunt used to make fun of others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that is clumsy, hapless, and even hopeless. But whether intentional or not, the word conjures up a painful stereotype of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It hurts. Even if you don't mean it that way.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are capable and enjoy sharing life experiences: listening to music, playing video games, watching the latest movies, and yes, having fun. They can attend school, work, drive cars, get married, participate in decisions that affect them, and contribute to society in many ways.
Did you know that by casually using the word r-word to refer to an action as less than ideal you are making someone with an intellectual disability feel less than human - whether you mean to or not? Demeaning any of our fellow human beings by using inappropriate words toward any population negatively impacts all of us.
Truckload Sales
The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store just received a truckload of brand new merchandise. Brand new items in perfect condition are marked far below suggested retail prices. Jewelry, hydraulic jacks, pet supplies, kitchen ware, small appliances, linens, toys, books, dvds, small electronics, beauty supplies, as seen on tv merchandise, wii accessories and more! Stop in Monday - Saturday 10am-7pm. All proceeds from The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store go toward providing education, advocacy and supports to adults and children with disabilities to foster empowerment and full inclusion in the community. Visit our online store at The Arc Thrift Store at Bismanonline.com.
Online Shopping
The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store now offers online shopping.Whether you're a serious collector or casual treasure hunter, The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store is the place to find that special item. We offer a wide array of antiques and collectibles as well as new and nearly new items pulled from our vast inventory of donated goods. From unique one-of-a-kind items to estate pieces, the depth of resources is enormous. All proceeds from The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store go toward providing education, advocacy and supports to adults and children with disabilities to foster empowerment and full inclusion in the community. Visit our online store at The Arc Thrift Store at Bismanonline.com.
Winter Accessibility for All
The Arc of Bismarck and American People Self-Advocacy Association wants to remind the community of the problems last year's weather caused. The winter poses many challenges to walkers, people who use wheelchairs or canes and all citizens of our community. The heavy snow and ice gave everyone grief over the last year and made safety and accessibility a huge challenge; we think the people of Bismarck can do better this season. Many people with disabilities had scares in the past winter.
~One individual broke his foot outside the residential area where he lived.
~Another person using a wheelchair got stuck at a curb cut because it was filled with ice and snow; it took three people to set her free.
~Another person slipped and fell, causing him to break a rib while volunteering at a place of business.
~Another individual visiting a downtown business couldn't go to other area establishments because curb cuts were inaccessible and her wheelchair tipped in the street.
All of these accidents caused individuals with disabilities and other people who use walkways much distress and sometimes severe injury. These problems can be easily remedied if everyone takes their responsibilities seriously. It is the law for property owners, residential or business to shovel their adjacent sidewalks and curb cuts within 24 hours of snow fall. Though there seems to be an endless cycle of shoveling and everyone has experienced their driveways and curb cuts being plowed in by the city, it is still the responsibility of the property owner to go back and make sure their adjacent walkways are accessible. Everyone benefits when walkways are clear, more customers can visit businesses and liability of injury is greatly decreased. Keep Bismarck safe this winter and do your part. Report repeated offenders to
355-1508.
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