Family members of children
Children with disabilities have special needs, which require special skills and solutions. Navigating the educational system can often be an overwhelming task for many parents. Finding appropriate day care and recreational opportunities for children with disabilities is also often a challenge.
How can The Arc help you?
Educational advocacy
The Arc of Western Wayne County offers free educational advocacy to families living within our catchment areas of Wayne, Westland, Inkster, Romulus, Belleville and Garden City. An Arc advocate will generally provide information and referral pertaining to Special Education related questions. Advocates are also available to attend school meetings with families to ensure that each child is getting all of the services needed from the school. Please contact us at 734.729.9100 to speak with an advocate today!
Learning opportunities
Along with direct advocacy, we offer a number of learning opportunities for families, which can empower them to advocate for their child. As part of our collaboration with the Michigan Alliance for Families, we offer informational meetings specific to Special Education.
Topics that are presented in these meetings include: Individualized education programs (IEPs), Mediation and facilitated IEPs, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Positive behavioral supports, Parent/professional collaboration, Rights and responsibilities and Assistive technology. Click here for upcoming learning opportunities.
Information and referral
The Arc of Western Wayne County can offer a wide array of information and referral services on topics such as recreational opportunities, summer camps, mental health services and
Medicaid eligibility.
After I relocated to the west side of Michigan, I faced problems in obtaining respite for my daughter. I attended a presentation of The Arc, where I learned about services available to parents of children with special needs.
Without the help of The Arc, I would still be fighting for my daughter.
We, as parents, don’t completely understand our rights or what Medicaid offers, and with the help of The Arc you feel informed, educated and supported..