ARCh, The Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps

Welcome to ARCh!

The Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps (ARCh) promotes the health, safety and achievement of children and adults with disabilities. ARCh was founded in 1952 by a group of parents who who wanted to create learning and social opportunities for their children with disabilities. Today we remain parent-led and family-driven, focused on our vision of building a world where all people are valued and encouraged to contribute. ARCh offers a unique variety of programs and services. Because of ARCh, those living with disabilities have the support and services they need to pursue their potential.

FACT: Seven out of ten Americans are directly impacted every day by a disability, or they have a family member, friend or associate who has a disability.

Because of ARCh...
Lives are changed. Plain and simple. ARCh offers one-of-a-kind programs that make a difference for everyone in our communities. Click here to discover all that ARCh does.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

ARCh Members and Supporters:
As you are probably aware, Long Term Care in Wisconsin is changing in 2008. Changes will take effect in Waukesha County beginning in July. A new program called Family Care will replace COP (Community Options Program) and Medicaid waivers. This re-design of the system will cause many changes in how services for people with disabilities are contracted and delivered.

We are pleased to announce a meeting for members of ARCh on Wednesday, March 19, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in the Community Room at Steinhafels Furniture, located at W231 N1012 Highway 164 (just off I-94). This is a very important opportunity for you to learn about the upcoming changes. Jack Bodien, Long Term Care Manager for the Waukesha Department of Health & Human Services, and Cathy Bellovary, Director of the new Aging & Disability Resource Center, will be in attendance to provide information and respond to your questions.

If you would like to learn more about Family Care in advance of this meeting, you may wish to visit the website at http://www.familypartnershipltc.org.

Space at the meeting is limited, so please call the ARCh office today (542-9811) to reserve your attendance. We look forward to continuing to provide you with information and support as we work together to navigate through changes that will impact the lives of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who have disabilities.

Randi Driscoll Concert Information
We hope you will join us to welcome the beautiful and talented Randi Driscoll as she appears in concert to benefit ARCh. “True Beauty,” a musical celebration of the beauty inside each of us, will take place on Saturday, March 1^st at 7:00 p.m. at the Otteson Theater on the campus of Carroll College, 238 N. East Avenue. Listen to a brief clip of her song "True Beauty" by downloading this file ( Randi_True_Beauty.wma )

Ms. Driscoll is a singer/songwriter from San Diego, CA, whose piano-driven vocals and passionate stage performances earned her Rolling Stone magazine’s acclaim as an “up and coming young artist.” Randi’s music has been featured in documentaries, commercials, and the WB hit series, “Dawson’s Creek.”

Randi performs with grace, beauty, humor and charm. Come and find out what hundreds of ARCh members and friends have already discovered…this is an evening of exceptional entertainment for the entire family…and one that, as it supports all our programs and services for people who have disabilities, pays tribute to the true beauty inside every person. We look forward to seeing you on March 1^st!

To reserve your tickets at the pre-event price of $8 for students and $10 for adults, please call the ARCh office at (262) 542-9811. At the door, prices will be $12 for students and $15 for adults.

Bylaws Changes
Recently a committee of members, chaired by Marianne Josephson, met to recommend changes to the organization's Bylaws, in order to meet statutory requirements.

Members voted to approve the proposed Bylaws changes at the Membership Meeting/Holiday Party on December 5th. To review the changes download the document (MS Word .doc). If you have any questions, please call the ARCh office.

Check out our 2008 Wish List
Many generous individuals, families & companies provide items that directly serve individuals through camp, socials, or Teen Time. Others contribute office supplies that help reduce our administrative costs so we can focus on providing services. Thank you for considering providing an item on our wish list. Click here to view the Wish List.

ARCh Mission Statement

"The mission of the Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps is to empower children and adults with disabilities to reach their full potential and to increase prevention and awareness in the community."

Click here for more information

ARCh is funded in part by the United Way in Waukesha County, the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services, Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the generous support of people like you!

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