Next week, we’ll be celebrating Independence Day for people with disabilities. Some years ago, Dr. Adolf Ratzka, a German academic who became disabled after contracting polio, shared the thesis “that differences in the attitudinal and material conditions determine disabled peoples’ life opportunities, how dependent or independent we can become.”
Last week, we gathered together at our 2019 Annual Meeting to celebrate the dawn of our 65th year! The Arc depends upon collaboration, but to remain vital, we also recognize those that help us build capacity to be there for you, our constituency. At the event, we recognized five individuals and agencies, all of whom are achievers who go the extra mile.
Each year, The Arc joins with other organizations to host a Disability Policy Seminar (DPS partners listed here) during which family members and staff visit D.C. to talk to their Senators, Representatives, and/or their aides on Capitol Hill. Typically, we visit with health or related policy staff in each office and often meet with some of our elected officials.
I was so pleased to take part in recognizing Anne, Jillian, Angelina and Braeden last night at our 2019 Gala, with the help of WBZ’s Chris McKinnon and our President Deborah Norton! What fitting champions for our 64th anniversary. You can find their stories here.
