Impact on Local Community Health and Safety Needs

The Arc’s efforts profoundly influence the health and safety requirements of local communities. The organization informs persons with I/DD and their families about health matters, legal entitlements, and the use of healthcare services. It promotes policies that guarantee the delivery of high-quality healthcare and services to the I/DD population (Washington-Nortey et al., 2024). The Arc offers direct assistance and services, including community living support, job assistance, and educational programs, aimed at improving the autonomy and welfare of persons with I/DD. Health and safety programs, including health screenings, nutrition education, and physical activity activities, are often conducted in partnership with local health practitioners to address community health requirements. Furthermore, The Arc focuses on including persons with I/DD in disaster planning and response strategies, providing them and their families with essential resources and knowledge to manage situations effectively.

Nursing Involvement with The Arc

Nurses can significantly improve the quality of life for persons with I/DD by collaborating with The Arc in several capacities. They may conduct health workshops to educate people and families on health and hygiene habits, nutrition, and illness prevention (Pham et al., 2024). Nurses may volunteer to provide routine health checks, including blood pressure assessments and diabetes evaluations, to identify health concerns at an early stage. Nurses may partner with The Arc to develop individualized health plans that address the particular requirements of persons with I/DD, including medication management and specialized nutrition planning. They may also assist in training personnel and people in fundamental first aid and emergency response practices, enhancing their proficiency in handling health events (Pinals et al., 2021). Nurses may highlight service gaps and accessibility difficulties by pushing for legislative reforms and local health services that support persons with I/DD. Additionally, they might facilitate the establishment of telemedicine services for The Arc, enhancing access to healthcare providers via remote consultations.

Conclusion

The Arc is an essential organization that champions the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, advancing public health, safety, equal opportunity, and community welfare. It tackles social, cultural, economic, and physical obstacles, promoting inclusive settings. The organization’s dependence on finance, policy, and law influences service delivery, highlighting the need for lobbying and community involvement. Nurses partner with The Arc to improve health and safety requirements, advocating for the rights and welfare of those with I/DD.

References

Pham, H. H., Benevides, T. W., Andresen, M., Bahr, M., Nicholson, J., Corey, T., Jaremski, J. E., Faughnan, K., Edelman, M., Hernandez-Hons, A., Langer, C., Shore, S., Ausderau, K., Burstin, H., Hingle, S. T., Kirk, A. S., Johnson, K., Siasoco, V., Budway, E., . . . Woodward, C. (2024). Advancing health policy and outcomes for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. JAMA Health Forum, 5(8), e242201. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.2201

Pinals, D. A., Hovermale, L., Mauch, D., & Anacker, L. (2021). Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the mental health system: Part 2. Policy and Systems Considerations. Psychiatric Services, 73(3), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900505

Washington-Nortey, M., Angwenyi, V., Demissie, M., Mwangome, E., Eshetu, T., Negussie, H., Goldsmith, K., Healey, A., Feyasa, M., Medhin, G., Belay, A., Azmeraw, T., Getachew, M., Birhane, R., Nasambu, C., Kifle, T. H., Kairu, A., Mkubwa, B., Girma, F., . . . Hoekstra, R. A. (2024). Supporting African communities to increase resilience and mental health of kids with developmental disabilities and their caregivers using the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training Programme (SPARK trial): study protocol for a cluster randomized clinical controlled trial. Trials, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08488-w