2011 Arc National Convention Highlights
Denver welcomed more than 700 people from across the nation for an action-packed weekend filled with learning and fun. For the first time in 40 years, The Arc’s National Convention was held at the downtown Sheraton last weekend, September 16-19. Conventioneers learned about the many exciting things on the horizon for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Saturday’s activities were opened with the presentation of The Arc’s Image and Inclusion Award. Last year’s winner Lauren Potter of the television hit Glee, took the stage to present the award to Colorado’s own scientist and advocate, Dr. Temple Grandin. Following the award, Grandin gave a rousing speech about the needs of people with autism, explaining in her own experience how the pathways in her brain actually function differently than people without autism. Grandin used her insights to encourage a return to more practical employment options and to build on a person’s unique skills when planning for the future.
The Saturday afternoon breakout session included a panel presentation on the Arc Thrift operation here in Colorado. Many chapter representatives from across the nation eagerly sought information on how they could build a similar operation in their own area. Echoing Dr. Grandin’s message, self-advocate Lori Espinoza, who is both an Arc Thrift employee and member of The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties, shared how Arc Thrift allows her to do what she does best – working with people.
As we rolled into the evening, the afternoon speaker was Dr. David Braddock with The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. For 33 years, Braddock and his team have gathered and published The State of the States on Developmental Disabilities, a critical resource for understanding funding trends in our community. Not only did Braddock share trends on current and future economic issues, he shared his previous research that showed definitively how The Arc’s make an impact across the nation.
Following an information-packed day of listening and learning, conventioneers headed over to Lucky Strike on the 16th Street Mall to bowl and dance the night away. Thanks again to Arc Thrift for throwing such an amazing party!
Sunday morning was a big day for The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties as both our adult advocates and our education and family advocates were involved in presentations. Sadly, they occurred at the exact same time, so some of us found ourselves running back and forth between the two. Self-advocates Donna Gunnison and Jan Beckett were supported by staff advocates Louise Todd-Stoll and Jeanne Weis in a session titled “Self-Advocacy across the United States.” Patricia Fulton was joined by colleague Katie Taliercio of DDRC in a presentation about their collaborative transition trainings, Life After High School, created by the Transition Advocacy Group (TAG). The presentation was developed by Patricia and Katie, as well as Arc advocate Corinne Gray, and Jim Panzer and Diana Rarich of Jeffco Schools.
The day ended with a speech by community organizer Don Elmer, who spoke about the need to work together locally and nationally to make larger changes in services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Following his speech, The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region and several others, including former Governor Bill Ritter, received The Arc’s 2011 Advocacy Matters! Award for their work that resulted in a posthumous pardon for Joe Arridy, a man with I/DD who was wrongfully convicted and executed for the murder of a young woman more than 70 years ago.
Overall, it was a wonderful weekend bringing together self-advocates, advocates, parents and professionals from across the country to share experiences, learn about new possibilities, and to work together to build a better nation for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We would like to thank all of our members, volunteers and presenters for being part of this exciting weekend.