In the News

Join us for the second annual “Dancing with The Arc”! Based on the popular competition show, Dancing with the Stars, this fundraiser pairs people supported by The Arc of Monroe with local Rochester celebrities where they embark on a magical journey together to learn a dance!

Direct support professionals are individuals who provide people with disabilities help with their everyday needs. According to the state’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, there’s more than 100,000 across New York state. They’re an essential part of how Betsy Irish lives her everyday life.

Colleagues past and present, local leaders, community members and many others are wishing legendary 13WHAM News anchor Don Alhart well after he announced his retirement Thursday, effective June 6, after 58 years at Channel 13.

Mackenzie Mislan has joined The Arc of Monroe as Marketing & Communications Manager.

Bekka Fifield has joined The Arc of Monroe as Advocacy Manager.

The Arc’s Christen Smith interviews experts about strategies for inclusive viewing in the latest issue of 585 Magazine. 

On Saturday, the Golisano Training Center at Nazareth University hosted the Third Annual Festival of Inclusion, attracting thousands of attendees. The event, part of the Golisano Foundation’s Spread the Word Inclusion campaign, aimed to promote acceptance and inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Well, here we are again.

Despite Gov. Kathy Hochul touting the Empire State as a leader in the fight for equity, and her vision of the “New York Dream” that promises opportunity and dignity for all citizens, New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — and those who care for them — remain forgotten.

Leaders of those organizations employing direct support professionals — including two who are among the Rochester region’s largest nonprofits — are coming together and asking the state to increase the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for them, saying the proposed compensation is not commensurate with the needed services these employees provide.

The Strong Employment and Life Foundations (SELF) program is an internship program with the mission to prepare young people on the Autism Spectrum for employment in the community.

Leaders from The Arc of Monroe spend Monday in Albany to make their voices heard on the continued call for better wages for support staff who help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

People with disabilities and direct support professionals across the state head to Albany Monday for a rally in an effort to raise the wages for DSPs.