The Arc Of Minnesota Southwest

TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND ACTIVELY SUPPORT THIER FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES. WE SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABIITIES SUCH AS DOWN SYNDROME, AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, AND FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER.

FAMILY CONNECTIONS & PARENT SUPPORT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR SIBLINGS, PARENTS AND EXTENDED FAMILY THROUGH INFORMATION THAT IS DISTRIBUTED REGARDING SCHOOL RESOURCES AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. WE ALSO PROVIDE HELP TO FAMILIES AND PARENTS TO NAVIGATE THE HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM, AND OFFER TRAINING AND EDUCATION PERTAINING TO DISABILITY ISSUES AS WELL AS ONE-ON-ONE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT. OUR ORGANIZATION ALSO HELPS SELF -ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES LEARN ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT IMPACTS THEM AND OFFERS AN ANNUAL DAY AT THE CAPITOL EVENT IN WHICH WE TRANSPORT CLIENTS FROM OUR SERVICE AREA TO THE STATE CAPITOL TO VOICE THEIR THOUGHTS AND NEEDS.

WE ASSIST SELF-ADVOCATES IN FINDING THEIR OWN VOICES TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND STRENGTHEN THEIR ABILITIES TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH NETWORKING, EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, AND EVENTS THAT BUILD SOCIAL AND LIFE SKILLS. WE HELP ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE ON-GOING SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE FIRST GROUPS WHICH ARE COMPRISED OF PEOPLE WITH A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES, AND, TOGETHER, WE IDENTIFY AND OVERCOME LIFE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING ISSUES WITH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. ARC SOUTHWEST WORKS WITH AREA GROUPS TO HELP PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE SOCIAL SKILLS AS WELL AS SOCIALIZE IN SAFE ENVIRONMENTS. SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE AKTION CLUB, DIFFERENT DRUMMER DANCE CLUB, BOWLING, SOFTBALL, AND PICNICS.

ARC SOUTHWEST WORKS WITH THE ARC OF MINNESOTA TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE MINNESOTA ADULTS WITH DISABLITIES TO SEEK AND LOCATE SUITABLE, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING AND NECESSITIES FOR DAY TO DAY LIVING.