In 1961, a group of parents came together to support each other in raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). At that time, there were hardly any programs or activities to support them. Often public school education was out of reach because of low IQ test scores, and institutions were considered the only option. At The Arc of Northwest Wayne County (The Arc NW), we have worked tirelessly to change this inequity.
In September 1966 in part because of our advocacy, children were finally admitted into classrooms at Elm School in Livonia serving school districts of South Redford, Redford Union, Livonia, Garden City and Plymouth. We also advocated for the successful passage of the Michigan Mandatory Special Education Act of 1971 (implemented in 1973) establishing the rights for children with I/DD to an education.
With educational opportunities improving, we focused on adulthood next. The Arc NW created social and recreational programs for teenagers and adults with I/DD since none existed. We also worked closely with community partners to develop group homes as an alternative to institutions as well as work opportunities and day activity programs.
In the 1980s, parents needed support outside of the educational system. In response, we created a summer day camp for older teenagers and young adults in partnership with Redford Township and launched our Athletic Program preparing athletes for the Special Olympics. We established Lekotek to help young children and their families with developmental milestones. We also created the first latchkey program in the area serving special education students in our community. Last, we expanded educational advocacy efforts to help families access meaningful education.
In the 1990s, we served as the financial administrator of a pilot program that allowed adults with I/DD to have control over their mental health dollars. The program’s success and the adoption of Person-Centered Planning in 1996 allowed us to become one of the first fiscal intermediaries to help adults with I/DD establish and live self-determined lives. We also partnered with the Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency to expand our Lekotek program and advocacy services to create After I’m Gone (AIG), an educational program that helps parents and their children with I/DD with future and estate planning. Included in AIG education is information about the Guardianship Alternatives Information Network (GAIN).
During the last twenty years with I/DD diagnoses at an all-time high, our cornerstone services are in great demand: Lekotek, Educational Advocacy, After I’m Gone and GAIN, Just Fun Club, the Athletic Program, and Financial Management Services for self-determination. Our small staff of ten have over 6,000 touch points with the people we serve annually. People who started as children in our Lekotek program are now living meaningful, self-determined lives in our local community. The Arc NW believes that disability rights are human rights, inclusive communities are attainable, and everyone deserves to the live the life they choose.