Unfortunately, even in the world of today, there are many problems associated with the functioning of people with disabilities. They encounter difficulties in schools, universities, at work, and in everyday life. For example, Mutanga (2020) states that “many students with disabilities continue to face challenges in higher education” (p. 2). In this situation, it is necessary to support people and change society as a whole to give everyone a comfortable living environment. Such organizations as The Arc Midsouth do an essential job helping a large number of people to ensure that each member of the society has an opportunity to live a full life. This leads to certain societal transformations – it is becoming more healthy and empathic.
Setting, Mission, and Goals
The Arc Midsouth is an agency whose primary goal is to help people with disabilities and maintain their daily lives. The agency is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a member of United Way, the largest donation organization in the world. The main mission of The Arc Midsouth is to support people with various developmental and intellectual disabilities. Their basic setup is that each of these people has significant potential, and The Arc Midsouth helps them to reveal it. The Arc Midsouth states that each person is unique, thus it is necessary to help them reveal all their abilities and share them with the world. According to Halder (2019), “people with disabilities are equal citizens who are entitled to a normal life” (p. 27). This is why the crucial goal of the agency is to support them and make them feel like a part of society.
Structure, culture, and politics
The management of The Arc Midsouth consists of a few people including President and Vice President, Executive Director, Treasurer, Secretary, as well as eight Board Members. Besides working at The Arc Midsouth, these people have other jobs: for instance, there is a judge, an HR consultant, and even a musician among them. Moreover, many volunteers work with the agency, who support its missions and like communicating with people. The responsible approach of managers and volunteers united by one mission leads to positive changes in the life of each person coming to the agency.
The Arc Midsouth works with different categories of people, for example, those with Down syndrome or autism, as well as muscular dystrophy or other physical disabilities. According to the organizational culture of The Arc Midsouth, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, or level of disability are not important. All people are equal, and the value of each person’s life is equally high, therefore the agency provides everyone with any possible help.
The policy of The Arc Midsouth is to offer services that help various categories of people, regardless of their disabilities. Firstly, these are programs created to support families: caring for the elderly, summer camps, personal support for people with disabilities, etc. Secondly, it helps with employment: job search, adaptation in a new place, preparation for tests, educational programs. Thirdly, these are advocacy services, such as, for example, support groups for self-advocates and community-based events. All these activities are aimed at making everyone who contacts The Arc Midsouth feel more confident in the world and use all their abilities in life.
Agency Life Cycle
The Arc Midsouth agency is nearly 70 years old, and over the years, it has undergone many changes. Now the organization is at the stage of maturity: all processes are clear and established, and each department is functioning properly. Since it has a reliable base, The Arc Midsouth has the opportunity to organize additional events, take on new projects, and expand its field of activity. The primary source of the organization’s income is donations, and over the years, its managers have developed a strategy for their correct distribution and productive work of the agency.
References
Halder, S. (2019). Inclusion, equity and access for individuals with disabilities: insights from educators across the world. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan.
Mutanga, O. (2020). Students with disabilities and transition to work: a capabilities approach. New York, NY: Routledge.