People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) face disproportionate discrimination, lack of education and awareness, inhibit access to basic human rights, all of which limit their opportunity to participate in society. The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s Building for Change campus actively empowers those with IDD through personal development, life skills training, and expanded advocacy efforts, while involving the community in improving cultural attitudes toward those with IDD.
Societal discrimination toward people with disabilities makes it difficult for them to access human rights. This group is vulnerable to poverty, abuse, loneliness, homelessness and more in their lifetime. Advocacy, supports and skills training is crucial for these people to participate in their communities and achieve goals. The Arc PPR receives no federal funding, while program funding comes from Arc Thrift Stores.
Volunteer program instructors: culinary, job skills, budgeting, fitness & other; disability library resources (books, videos); board members; continued shopping and donations to arc Thrift Stores.
In 2019, as many as 25.9% of people with disabilities lived in poverty, compared with 11.4% of people without disabilities (Statista).
“You gave us a voice against tough bureaucracy, providing the confidence to speak up. With your advocacy, our son is successfully transitioning to his new school, under the oversight of a new team. You played the most critical part in this success.” — Parent of a child on the autism spectrum