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Helping People With IDD and Their Families in Ukraine

by | Mar 14, 2022 | Uncategorized

image of three men assisting woman in wheelchair, text: Ukraine Relief Fund; support people with disabilities effected by the crisis in Europe

Have you been concerned about people with disabilities who are in the Ukraine? Are you wondering if there is anything you can do? Learn how to help!

Below is a message from The Arc of the United States:

We watch in horror as the war unfolds in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to all the people of Ukraine whose lives are being torn asunder by the violence and chaos that grows daily. Our chapter leaders and others are asking what they can do to help. While there are a lot of options for donating to general Ukraine relief efforts, many are asking about how they can direct their support specifically to help people with IDD (Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities) and their families. Since giving to foreign charities is not recognized as tax deductible by the IRS, we have two options for you and your constituents to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution.

First, for individuals who would like to make a charitable contribution that may qualify as tax-deductible in the United States, we have established The Arc’s Ukraine Relief Fund. Individuals may give to The Arc of the United States and designate their donations to this fund. We will then do the required due diligence to identify, select, and make grants to reputable charities, foreign and domestic, that are engaging in relief efforts targeted to help people with IDD and their families in, or fleeing, Ukraine. 100% of any gifts we receive will be redistributed.

Please help spread the word. If your constituents are asking how they can make a tax-deductible charitable donation, please share this link to The Arc’s Ukraine Relief Fund.

Second, for our chapters, other business entities, and those individuals for whom tax-deductibility is not a concern, you can also give to The Arc Ukraine IDD Relief Fund or consider giving directly to Inclusion Europe. They are working in collaboration with the VGO Coalition, a group of more than 100 local Ukrainian nonprofits serving people with IDD . Again, as a foreign charity, donations to Inclusion Europe are not deductible as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.

If you have questions, please email: [email protected].

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The Arc of Pennsylvania’s Making Employment Work course is an ACRE Basic Certification Training. In order to receive certification, participants must attend a 3 day, in-person training and then complete a self-paced, online curriculum. Completing this certification course will qualify individuals to provide Supported Employment services with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Office of Developmental Programs. Our training combines lessons learned from traditional Supported Employment and Customized Employment techniques.

Arc Discovery Employment Transitions (ADEPT) is The Arc of Pennsylvania’s customized employment program. The Arc of Pennsylvania supports individuals with significant impact of disability to seek and maintain customized employment in their community. As a result, The Arc of Pennsylvania’s consultants are trained and nationally certified by Marc Gold & Associates, a national leader in customized employment, to provide Discovery, Customized Employment Job Development, and Systematic Instruction to individuals with disabilities in Pennsylvania who are seeking employment. In addition to providing customized employment services, The Arc of Pennsylvania hosts several certification courses with Marc Gold & Associates for individuals and organizations interested in national certification in Discovery, Job Development, and Systematic Instruction.

Include Me is a new model for inclusive education and gaining meaningful employment for Pennsylvania’s students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Pennsylvania and Include Me believe all individuals with significant impact of developmental and intellectual disability deserve equal educational and competitive employment rights. Our mission, build and strengthen the inclusive education capacity for all public-school students, and discover meaningful employment opportunities meeting Pennsylvania employee and employer needs. Include Me strives to ensure all impacted students have equal access to all aspects of life and the community throughout their lifespan.

Include Me is an initiative that was part of the agreement on final terms between the plaintiffs and the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the Gaskin Settlement Agreement. We were initially assigned to work with school districts with the lowest inclusion rates. After the initial success, we have grown in reputation among school districts. Currently districts voluntarily chose our services, which are provided free of charge to the district. In addition to our School Age services, we offer transition-age services to help teams plan a path to customized employment for students transitioning from high school.

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We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.

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