WELCOME TO PARTNERSHIP FOR FULL EQUALITY
SNAPSHOT: MAKING AN IMPACT
WHAT WE DO
The Arc Eastern Connecticut is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families in the communities of eastern Connecticut. Since its founding in 1952, the Agency has been committed to partnering with people living with IDD to promote inclusion, independence, and equality through advocacy, education and community-based services.
Our person-centered services touch every aspect of life:
• Housing
• Employment/job development
• Vocational/micro-enterprise ventures
• Education
• Day programs
• In-home supports
• Senior services
• Health/fitness activities, and
• Community involvement.
OUR HISTORY
Since 1952, The Arc ECT has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for people with IDD and their families.
Our story began when two groups of parents teamed up to raise money to fund an education program for their children. They had no choice. Before 1975, when the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed in the U.S., their kids were not welcome in public schools.
The families’ grassroots fundraising and advocacy efforts succeeded in building an education program for their children. Over time, the program grew and evolved, becoming The Arc Quinebaug Valley and The Arc New London County and their efforts ignited a social and civil rights movement that advocated for all people with IDD.
In 2019, those two agencies merged, becoming The Arc ECT where we continue to promote inclusion, independence and equality for all.
OUR MISSION
IN PARTNERSHIP FOR FULL EQUALITY
To partner with people living with intellectual and developmental disability for equal participation and inclusion in the communities of eastern Connecticut.
Our vision for people with IDD encompasses the principles of equality of opportunity and equality of choice. We strive to be eastern Connecticut’s leader in advocating for and partnering with individuals with IDD to ensure their full participation and inclusion in our communities.
Full equality means that all individuals and groups within a society have the same rights, opportunities, and status without discrimination or bias based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic.
Key aspects include:
LEGAL EQUALITY Laws and policies that protect individuals from discrimination and ensure equal treatment in areas such as employment, education, housing, and healthcare.
SOCIAL EQUALITY The absence of social barriers and prejudices that prevent people from participating fully in society.
ECONOMIC EQUALITY Fair access to economic resources and opportunities, ensuring that people can achieve financial stability and growth regardless of their background.
POLITICAL EQUALITY Equal participation in the political process, including the right to vote, run for office, and influence public policy.
CULTURAL EQUALITY Respect and inclusion for diverse cultural identities and expressions, allowing all groups to maintain and celebrate their heritage without fear of marginalization or assimilation.
ADVOCACY
The cornerstone of The Arc ECT is our advocacy for individuals with IDD, ensuring they get access to necessary services and support. In addition to advocating for them, we also encourage our participants to be their own advocates.
Self-advocacy is one of the fastest growing civil-rights movements in the country and stipulates that individuals be in control of their own resources and direct them where they choose.
We believe our participants have the right to make life decisions without undue influence or control by others. Together, with our participants and their families, we provide a voice.
OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES
We respect and follow core principles that prioritize civil rights, community engagement, innovation, family involvement and leadership that drive positive change in our communities and raise awareness of our mission.
CIVIL RIGHTS We partner with people living with disabilities to promote their voices and champion their perspectives.
COMMUNITY We facilitate the development of natural relationships to connect people with their communities.
INNOVATION We continuously break new ground in providing a menu of service options and improve how we operate our organization, to bring about meaningful change for the future.
FAMILY We encourage and facilitate family education and engagement as a fundamental component to helping people living with disability achieve positive outcomes.
LEADERSHIP We model choice in everything we do.
OUR VALUES
We are is committed to fostering belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work — operating based on core principles that prioritize civil rights, community engagement, innovation, family involvement, leadership and driving positive change.
Our values guide our actions and interactions:
PERSON-CENTERED We respect and respond to individual choices as the guiding force in the lives of people living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
DEDICATION Organizationally and individually, we are dedicated to people living with disability who place their trust in us to provide quality individualized, self-directed supports.
INTEGRITY We uphold the highest ethical standards in how we treat people living with disability and in how we operate our organization.
STEWARDSHIP We are fully committed to protecting and maximizing the return on the resources available to us and to embracing the highest standards of accountability.
Leadership
GENE MICHAEL DEARY
President, Board of Directors
Gene Michael is Chief Administrative Officer, Consumer Lending and Payments at Berkshire Bank. He serves on The Arc ECT’s Finance Committee as well as the Golf Committee. He volunteers his time and secures top sponsorships for all major fundraisers from area businesses that support The Arc ECT.
KATHLEEN STAUFFER
Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen is a results-driven leader with expertise in executive leadership, team building, and organizational transformation. As CEO of The Arc ECT, she grew the agency from a struggling $5 million nonprofit to a thriving $24+ million organization. A former CEO, president, and media group publisher, Kathleen served eight years on The Arc U.S. Board and continues to hold national and regional leadership roles. She is a nationally recognized speaker, writer, and advocate and author of four books, including 11 SECRETS OF NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE — MERGER, TRANSFORMATION & GROWTH.