Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access

ACHIEVE WITH US

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access

 

People in the disability community are diverse. They come from all backgrounds. They represent the full range of differences among people. These include:

 

  • Age
  • Communication
  • Culture
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Language
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Sexuality
  • Spirituality
  • Values and beliefs

 

We honor and respect the identities represented in our community.

Equity work is urgent and life-long. We want to do better and hold ourselves accountable. We have not always been as diverse, accessible, equitable, or inclusive as we could be. We are impacted by many systems of oppression, including racism, ableism, and colonialism. We are on a journey to improve as an organization.

Everyone belongs. With their intersecting identities, all members of the disability community are valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. They thrive and live their best lives.

 

We work hard to ensure we are representative of diverse and marginalized communities and we promote social justice.

 

 

In Our Work Culture

 

Our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team. For The Arc of Calhoun County, inclusion and diversity is ingrained in the core of who we are and the people we serve. With that being stated, we continuously strive for improvement.

 

We work to empower our team members to make an impact in the workplace, their families, and the community in which they serve. We encourage a culture that is unconditionally inclusive, and in return ask that our people contribute all their differing perspectives, ideas and experiences for one common purpose: to advance the way people live and work.

 

We commit a continual focus on equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices and policies. Today, 13% of our staff are people of color and 75% are women. In senior leadership roles, 33% are people of color and 67% are women. Of our Board of Directors, 29% are people of color, 29% are self-advocates with a disability, and 70% are women.

 

We commit to work for real change and progress in diverse recruitment, hiring and advancement.

Donate or become a member now!

 

We really count on you and your support.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

We enrich the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities through advocacy in education, policy, and human rights.

Our Vision

Our Core Values

THE ARC OF CALHOUN COUNTY

 

Our History

Helping since 1954

Since 1954, parents of children with developmental disabilities gathered to discuss the need for an advocacy organization, thus The Arc of Calhoun County was born.

 

Virginia Whittum, a founding parent said, “If just one person could light a candle, it would light the whole world.”

 

The Arc of Calhoun County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides supportive programming to adults with disabilities, advocacy for special education from birth to 26 years old, and further support to the community as it relates to it’s citizens with disabilities.

The Arc of Calhoun County Staff

 

Meet Our Team

Daneil Johnston

 

Business Manager

Stephanie Calhoun

 

Office Manager

Trevor Hardy

 

Community Skills Advisor

Abbie Beaudrie

 

Community Skills Coordinator

James Cannon III

 

Community Coordinator

Lisa Wolf

 

Community Skills Advisor

Elise Palmer

 

Community Skills Advisor

We have gathered speakers from around the globe to present the latest advances in technology.