The Arc of Butte County

MARCH IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH! So many individuals in our community and throughout the world have experienced discrimination, judgement and lowered self-esteem due to a label that does not define them. Do your part to spread awareness about Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Become an I/DD advocate by following The Arc of Butte County on Facebook and Instagram, signing up for our m...onthly email newsletter at https://arcbutte.org/news-events/mailing-list.html - and most importantly - SHARING the information you discover with your friends and family. Help us help our community understand what great ABILITIES those with I/DD have. You can empower yourself by empowering others. Inclusion is within everyone's ability/ #DDAware

"One of the things that makes me different is that I have Down syndrome... AND THAT IS A GOOD THING! ... I need meaningful employment. I need to be as independent as possible. I need an inclusive community. And so do you.... We are more alike than we are different... I had Down syndrome before I was born. I will have it my whole life. But as you can see, it is just one part of me. Feel free to notice my differences, but please focus on the overwhelming ways that I am just like you. Including people with Down syndrome: It is good for business, it is good for the community, it is good for others like me - which means that IT IS GOOD FOR THE WORLD." - Matthew Schwab https://youtu.be/yKNftrna8B4

In the not so distant past, if a child was born with Down syndrome, there was not much to be expected from their adolescent or adult life. In fact, their anticipated life span was short, during which time, it was assumed that they were not capable of attending school, getting married or having a career. Thankfully, society got their act together and shut down these faulty stereotypes due to medical advances, a shift in social attitudes and improvements to community servi...ces. These societal changes have created a necessary platform for individuals with Down syndrome to be heard and according to healthdirect.gov.au, here are 5 things people with Down syndrome want you to know: 1. Women of all ages have babies with Down syndrome. 2. People with Down syndrome can expect to live long and full lives. 3. People with Down syndrome are not always happy. Just like anyone else, they experience a full range of emotion. 4. Down syndrome can affect a person’s immune system, which can leave them at higher risk for developing health problems. 5. People with Down syndrome can live totally normal lives and will truly thrive in a supportive and inclusive community setting. Stay tuned into The Arc of Butte County for more information on the abilities of those with Down syndrome. Share this information with people you know so that as a community, we can all have a better understanding of developmental disabilities and how to create a more inclusive atmosphere. Read the full article here: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au//5-things-people-with-down

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small packages of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms during pregnancy and how the baby’s body functions as it grows in the womb and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. A medical term for having an extra copy of a chromosome is ‘trisomy.’ Down syndrome ...is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby. Even though people with Down syndrome might act and look similar, each person has different abilities. People with Down syndrome usually have an IQ (a measure of intelligence) in the mildly-to-moderately low range and are slower to speak than other children. Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome. This means that Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 700 babies. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. Services early in life will often help babies and children with Down syndrome to improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Most of these services focus on helping children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential. These services include speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and they are typically offered through early intervention programs in each state. Children with Down syndrome may also need extra help or attention in school, although many children are included in regular classes. The most important thing to remember is that each person with Down syndrome has different talents and the ability to thrive. Help The Arc of Butte County spread awareness for down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities this month by sharing this information with people you know. Together, we can create a more inclusive community, allowing us all to live our fullest lives! #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth #2021 #Educate #Advocate #Support #TheArc #Promote #Inclusion #TogetherWeCan #AchieveWithUs #disabilityawareness #DDAware

What are you doing to celebrate today? Share your green attire and activities with us in the comments! #HappyStPatricksDay2021

The Arc of Butte County works with heroes everyday. So many clients, employees and friends selflessly advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). They do so in order to promote inclusion throughout our community and to simply better the lives of those we serve. Far Northern Regional Center is shining a spotlight on those who embrace inclusion with the "Celebration of Heroes." This campaign will provide a stage to show gratitude to people who a...re creating acceptance and opportunities for persons with varying abilities from everyday heroes to superheroes. Be sure to nominate the heroes in your life here: https://www.farnorthernrc.org/celebration-of-heroes/ Submit your nominations through April 9, 2021.

Every person on this earth is born with a special set of abilities - these abilities allow us to be successful in different areas in life and in the workplace. Unfortunately, many individuals with disabilities struggle to find employment. Let's Work! is a moving documentary about 8 young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their experiences and successes in competitive integrated employment. Please help us let the world know of the extraordinary acco...mplishments of these young leaders by sharing these links with your friends and family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgl-tfUkhsQ&feature=youtu.be

The Arc wishes you a safe and happy Halloween Show is your costumes in the comments!

From all of us at The Arc of Butte County, THANK YOU to all First Responders We celebrate you today and every day. Thank you for keeping our communities safe. You are super heroes!

For our Redding friends/those who use Far Northern Regional Center services Be sure to grab some supplies and keep your families safe.

New "Back to SCOL" Guide for Families Parents of children with disabilities are facing difficult decisions about how to keep their children safe and learning. To help, Stanford University has developed a Back-to-Safe Communities of Learning (SCOL) Decision Guide (in English and Spanish). The tool was designed with and for parents of children with special healthcare needs based on input from public-health experts, parents, and health providers. It is meant to serve as a conversation starter and to guide discussion between a parent and a trusted advisor, such as a pediatric health provider. Parents, click here to check it out: https://stanfordmedicine.qualtrics.com//form/SV_3RcFo5QJ5p

WAY TO GO, UC DAVIS UC Davis is launching a new four-year residential college program for students with intellectual disabilities. The Supported Education to Elevate Diversity (SEED) Scholar program will be for students with autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The program will be the first of its kind in California. ... Read the full story here: https://sacramento.cbslocal.com//uc-davis-program-student/

October 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. California Governor, Gavin Newsom, released a letter recognizing the importance of hiring and retaining people with disabilities in building a stronger and more inclusive economy. Our Governor states, "Workplaces that welcome the different talents and skills of all people reap the contributions of our diverse communities and bring our state closer to full inclusion and integration for all. This month, I call on employers, schools and other community organizations in California to redouble their efforts to ensure access, equity and opportunity for people with disabilities." To view the full letter, click here: https://www.gov.ca.gov//2020-Disability-Employment-Awarene

As an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability, are you struggling with the challenges of COVID-19? Are you feeling down about being distanced from family and friends? Join this welcoming group for the first ever California Statewide Self-Advocacy Chat! This meeting will safely take place via Zoom. Find the link to connect in the comments!

October 13-14 are Amazon Prime Days! Your days to save big while shopping online... Be sure to register The Arc of Butte County as your non-profit of choice through AmazonSmile to donate (without spending more) to our community non-profit organization that provides life altering support and services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Brush up on voter information tomorrow at 10:00am with the We Care A Lot Foundation. Attend a Zoom meeting on The Vote! Project to learn about registration, understanding your ballot, why voting is important and more! Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-vote-projects-november-202

The Arc of Butte County's newsletter is back in action! Drop you email in the comments below or private message us to receive monthly updates on what's going on with Arc programs, COVID-19 response, upcoming events and more! We thank you all for your continued support for The Arc of Butte County

Join Arc California this afternoon, October 6th at 4:00 PM PST for the premiere of Election 2020 It’s Your Choice, a non-partisan roundtable discussion on how voters with disabilities make decisions before we vote. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/thearcca/posts/3327488150671010

Advocate for the things that matter most! Be ready to vote