WANT AD:

The Arc of Mississippi is looking for board members!

Last week, The Arc issued a statement calling for an end to the systemic racism and discrimination against people of color which, unfortunately, still exists in our country. We were heartened to see many chapters issue their own statements or share the statement we released. However, one chapter leader questioned why The Arc, a disability organization, should be speaking out about race. Perhaps you have encountered that question as well. The answer, in short, is that disability rights and racial equity are inextricably intertwined.

These recent events should lead us to reflect on how racism and discrimination play out in the disability community. Consider these examples:

Labor force participation is lower for Black people with disabilities (17.7%) compared to those who are white (21%)
Black children with disabilities lose more days of instruction from school suspension (121 days/100 students), compared to white students with disabilities (43 days/100 students)
25% of Black students with disabilities never graduate high school, compared to 16% of non-Hispanic white students
The cumulative probability of arrest by age 28 is 55.17 for Black individuals with disabilities, compared to 39.7 for white individuals with disabilities

And these are only a few of the disparities that exist in the disability community. It's time to reflect, as well, on what more we can and should be doing. Standing up in support of people's rights, and against hate and discrimination in its many different forms, is part and parcel of what disability rights is all about. What do you think? Email me at berns@thearc.org.

Camp BOLD goes

VIRTUAL this year

July 6-10, 2020

Need a Break?

Through a grant to the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), funds were approved to provide respite care vouchers to eligible family caregivers. These vouchers may be used to pay an in-home care agency, an Adult Day Center, or a private individual to provide respite care.

More Information

Application

For the latest on COVID-19

Check out our

news/COVID-19 page

Due to the COVID-19 our office is working a modified schedule, as well as remotely. Email is the best method of communication presently. You will find all our email addresses on the "Who We Are-The Arc Staff" page. We encourage you to communicate with us. We will be posting news here and sending out newsletters regularly, so be sure to subscribe. Stay safe and well.

Census 2020

A fair and accurate census is crucial for people with disabilities-and for every person in the United States

61.8% of Households Have Responded

For More Info

It has never been easier to respond to the census on your own, whether online at 2020census.gov, over the phone, or by mail. 91,400,000 households in the country have responded so far!

How Does Your Community Rank?

Take a look at the interactive map and the top 10 states ranked by response rate.

Mississippi's response rate is 56.8% while the national response is 61.8%.

COME ON MISSISSIPPI!

YOU COUNT. BE COUNTED

Join Our Fight for Equal Rights for All

The Arc fights every day to protect civil rights and access to vital programs, such as Medicaid, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). But we can’t do it alone! We need the help of people with I/DD, their families, and allies of the cause.

Sign up today to receive updates on our movement, take action, and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

Our MISSION

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.