Grant from NADSP and OPWDD Allows The Arc of Monroe to Offer Professional Development Opportunities

Employment, Staff Perspectives

The Collaborative of NY recently received a grant through a collaboration between the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) that allows member agencies to offer professional development through the NADSP E-Badge Academy. The Arc of Monroe is excited to announce that we are one of those agencies! Participation provides an opportunity for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and values as they earn NADSP E-Badge Academy electronic badges (e-badges). Direct Support Professionals provide so much more than just assistance with daily tasks. They advocate for people with …

Chronic Pain and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Health and Wellness

Studies have shown that pain has long been recognized to have a negative effect on emotional status, ability to work, social activities, interpersonal relationships, and functional ability and leads to the increased utilization of healthcare services. I chose this topic because it is personal to me. I have bone-on-bone arthritis in my hip, and my quality of life has been greatly effected because the pain is exhausting.  With that said, I am lucky because I have the tools to either ask for help or get help myself. Can you imagine having chronic pain and not being able to express your …

Dementia and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Health and Wellness

What is Dementia? Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Although it is well known that older people are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, it is less well known that individuals with intellectual disabilities, especially Down syndrome, are also at high risk of the disease, and research shows that people with IDD have a prevalence of dementia. What are some signs of Dementia? Early signs may include changes in health, and in …

Understanding The Intersection of Black & Disability History

Advocacy, Stories Of People We Support

For decades, civil rights advocates have led the way in creating meaningful change in American society for many diverse groups of people. As the Civil Rights Movement picked up momentum across the United States in the mid-1900’s, the Disability Rights Movement mirrored many of the same efforts, creating an overlap in advocacy for both populations. Generations of Black people and people with disabilities were treated in horrific ways throughout our nation’s history. In order to help create a more welcoming, kind community, self-advocates and supporting staff of Arc Alliance – a self-advocacy group organized by The Arc of Monroe – …

Dance Performance

A Moving Experience Performance at Al Sigl Center

This performance is open to the entire community. A Moving Experience, the modern dance troupe from the Arc of Monroe’s Community Connections program, will perform at the Al Sigl Center’s gymnasium on 10/3/19 from 12:30PM to 1:30 PM. This is a FREE event! Al Sigl Center 1000 Elmwood Ave. Rochester, NY 14620