Arc Southeastern Minnesota - 50 Years of Accomplishment
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Maria does have many choices today! Had she been born in 1950, none of
these choices existed for people with "mental retardation".
Arc has been the catalyst for every advance made. Arc worked
collaboratively with other community and governmental organizations
to make these changes and improve the lives for persons with
developmental disabilities (DD).
Read the Arc Mission statement and history.
Each of the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Rice,
Wabasha and Winona started a local chapter of Arc to focus on improving
the lives for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
In 1999, these seven county chapters merged into a single
organization - Arc Southeastern Minnesota.
Many sweeping changes have occurred over
the past 50+ years that have been the result of the collaborative
efforts of local chapters combined with state and national offices
of Arc. Below are some of the major accomplishments of this
collarboration:
Arc took the State Hospital System to court in Welch versus Noot in
the 70s. The deplorable conditions were put on public display and
Arc won this lawsuit. This led to the de-institutionalization of
people with developmental disabilities and started the
"inclusion" of people into our communities.
Public Law 93-142
Americans with Disabilities Act
HISTORY of Local County Chapters of Arc in southeastern Minnesota
The local county chapters fought hard for the rights of people
with developmental disabilities. Local (county) accomplishments
were the essence of what changed Minnesota (and America).
The collective efforts of parents and professionals at the
grass roots level is the true heritage of Arc. What a few
people were able to accomplish is mind boggling! Today we
sometimes take the inclusive communities we live in for granted,
but it was not so long ago when people with disabilities were
relegated to institutional living. Arc made the difference
for them!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
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Local Chapter History
Dodge
Fillmore
Goodhue
Houston
Olmsted
Rice
Wabasha
Winona
Arc Southeastern Pioneer Circle
