ARCh, The Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps

Prevention, Awareness and
Community Education Program (PACE)

PACE works to increase awareness and acceptance of individuals who have disabilities through education, public awareness efforts and teen education programs offered through the ARCh Youth Team.

The PACE program also provides education through presentations to community groups (parents, teachers, day care providers, civic groups, etc.) about preventable causes of disabilities. Topics include child safety, early childhood brain development, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and lead poisoning. Presentations can be customized to suit audience groups of any size or time frame. Presentation schedules and cost information are available through the ARCh office.

The ARCh Youth Team is a group of middle and high school students who volunteer to learn about disabilities, stereotypes and acceptance. These dedicated young adults teach peers what they learn, and exercise this knowledge via Teen Time activities (monthly service projects and socials) with their peers who have disabilities. The group presents their message "Differences: Gotta Have 'em!" each year to thousands of students who are willing to change and make a difference in society. The presentation aims to stop bullying and promote positive school environments by emphasizing that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

During the past year, the PACE program has reached 16,000 people through 200 programs and services including community and school presentations on acceptance and primary prevention of disabilities. Topics of presentations include:

a	"Differences: Gotta Have 'em!"
a	Celebrating differences
a	Positive Communication
a	Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
a	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
a	*Journey to a Hate-Free Millennium (tolerance & acceptance)*
a	Bullying

Home Advocacy Camp Pow Wow Leisure PACE Youth Team Calendar
Membership Help ARCh NewsNotes Resources Board Contact Us