The Arc was formed in 1950 as a community of parents who knew that their children with disabilities deserved a better education. This mission quickly spread across the nation, and not long after, what is now The Arc of Arapahoe, Douglas & Elbert Counties formed in 1955.
In 2025, we celebrate our chapter’s 70th year of operation! Over the decades, our focus has spread from the specific battle for free public education for children with disabilities to fighting for education, advocacy, and inclusion of people with disabilities throughout their lives.
Each month this year, we’ll be highlighting significant moments from our chapter’s history, The Arc’s broader journey, and the disability rights movement as a whole. For January, we’re focusing on some particularly notable events.
January 1997: Advocate Lee Ray Joins The Arc ADE
In January 1997, Lee Ray joined our team. Over the past 28 years, his contributions to the disability community have been immeasurable.
He continues to work tirelessly to advocate for people with IDD and brings joy to the lives of all around him in the process. Here are a few words from Lee about his time working for The Arc:
I cannot believe it has been 28 years! More importantly I cannot believe how lucky I am. I feel incredibly honored to have been part of an organization I love, doing work that I cherish, and getting to know so many wonderful people. I have learned more and had more positive impacts on my life than I could possibly hope to have shared with others. Thank you all.
We are honored to have Lee Ray as a continued member of our team and look forward to all the work he contributes moving forward!
January 1990: Recognition for Membership and Communication Excellence
In January 1990, The Arc ADE received the Scroll Award for excellence in our newsletter, and The Arc Membership Award for both increase in and retention of members. 35 years later, we continue to take pride in our newsletter and the strength of our membership! Our members make it possible for our chapter to provide much needed programs and services, keep events and activities affordable for everyone, and educate the public on the needs, rights, and abilities of people with disabilities.
January 1981: The Arc ADE’s Guardianship, Advocacy, and Protective Services Advisory Board
In January 1981, The Arc ADE formed the Guardianship, Advocacy, and Protective Services Advisory Board. This board was the foundation for all the work we have done since regarding guardianship, advocacy, and protective services. Today, our chapter is proud to have eight amazing advocates who have grown beyond this original goal of protecting people to instead work alongside them with the goal of community integration for everyone. Additionally, The Arc ADE offers a video library with further resources on guardianship and supported decision-making. Stay tuned for updated educational materials coming this year!
January 1978: Colorado’s League of Handicapped Voters
On the state level, in January 1978, the Governor’s Council on the Handicapped started the League of Handicapped Voters in Colorado. This was 12 years before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 mandated all voting locations and materials be accessible to people with disabilities. This milestone highlights the long battle for accessible voting and emphasizes the importance of every individual’s right to vote, including those with disabilities. Leading up to the most recent election, Rutgers predicted that 40.2 million people with disabilities would be eligible to vote- that is almost one sixth of the entire voting population of the United States! People with disabilities hold a lot of voting power, and there are resources available to make exercising this right accessible to everyone.
January 1974: Federal SSI Program
In January 1974, the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program first went into effect. This nationwide program unified various cash assistance programs dating back to 1934. This change guaranteed that people who qualified for SSI benefits would receive at least the minimum assistance, no matter which state they lived in. Over 8 million people received SSI benefits in 2023. Many people with IDD qualify for SSI benefits and rely on them every day for basic needs, as well as long-term services provided through Medicaid.
January 1981: International Year of Disabled Persons
Awareness of disabilities continued to rise throughout the late 1900’s. The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons, with a theme of “full participation and equality”. This theme still resonates with the mission of The Arc today, and we have made a lot of progress since 1981. Throughout the year, the UN learned that social attitudes regarding people with disabilities were a major inhibitor to reaching their goal. This shows the importance of breaking down stigmas and celebrating diversity in all communities. Everyone benefits when people with disabilities are allowed full participation and equality in their communities.
Celebrating January’s Legacy
January has been a month of historic milestones locally and nationally over the past 70 years. This January, we reflect with gratitude on the work we’ve accomplished and the incredible community we serve. As we celebrate January’s milestones, we’re also looking forward to our Annual Meeting on February 1, 2025. We hope to see you there!
Thank you for your continued support. Here’s to an impactful 2025!
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