The Arc of the Quad Cities Area

06/23/2026

Students with disabilities could soon face more delays and confusion when they need help at school.

Students with disabilities are public education students first. The vast majority of students with disabilities are in their neighborhood school, where they receive specialized services in the regular classroom alongside their non-disabled peers. Their education, rights, and futures belong in the Department of Education, not treated as patients or cases to be managed elsewhere.

Take action now: Tell Congress to oppose moving these offices and the important services they provide out of the Department of Education.

Tell Congress to Take Action!

06/23/2026

🙌💙Join Our Volunteer Team — Make an Impact Today!💙🙌
Looking for a meaningful way to give back and make a difference in your community? The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is always looking for passionate, caring individuals to join our volunteer team!
Volunteers play a vital role in everything we do; helping support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, assisting at events, and creating opportunities for connection, growth, and inclusion.
💙When you volunteer with The Arc, you can:
• Make a direct impact in someone’s life
• Build meaningful connections
• Be part of a mission that strengthens our community
👉Ready to get involved?
🌐Apply online: https://arcqca.org/get-involved/volunteer/
📞Contact Sue Gadient at 309‑786‑6474
✉️Or email [email protected]
📣Call to action: Tag a friend, share this post, and help us grow a community of people who care!
Together, we can create more opportunities, more inclusion, and more impact. 💙

06/23/2026

𝐎𝐥𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟕: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲
Learn more: https://qr.link/9kR1pK

27 years ago, the Olmstead decision affirmed a simple but powerful truth: people with disabilities belong in their communities.

Today, Olmstead remains the law of the land. The ADA, Section 504, and the integration mandate are still in place, and the right to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community remains a fundamental civil right.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an opinion signaling it may step back from enforcing key Olmstead protections. This is an important reminder that rights cannot be taken for granted. Progress is protected when people, families, self-advocates, and organizations stay informed, engaged, and ready to speak up.

At The Arc of Illinois, we remain committed to advocating for community living and the rights of people with disabilities. For 27 years, Olmstead has helped open doors. Together, we’ll continue working to ensure those doors stay open for future generations.

06/20/2026

💙🎳Good Luck, Scott — We’re With You Every Roll!🎳💙
On Thursday, we proudly gave a send off for Scott Maess as he heads to represent the Quad Cities at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota! 🏅
From June 20th–26th, Scott will take the national stage in bowling; showcasing the dedication, hard work, and determination that brought him to this incredible moment.
Scott’s journey has already made us proud. From being recognized by the State of Illinois and Representative Gregg Johnson to earning his spot among the nation’s best, he has shown what’s possible through perseverance and passion.
💙Now, it’s time for the next chapter and we’ll be cheering every step (and every roll) of the way.
👏Scott, you carry with you the support of this entire community. Go out there, give it your all, and know that we are with you every single roll!
🎳Let’s show Scott some love and encouragement as he represents all of us on this incredible stage!

06/19/2026

💙📢Juneteenth Observance Reminder📢💙
Today, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area joins in recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth. This day offers an opportunity to reflect, appreciate history, and celebrate community together.
As a reminder, our offices are closed today in observance of the holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Monday.
💙Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you have a meaningful and restful day.

06/18/2026

The Supreme Court has already decided that living in the community is a legal right.

More than 25 years ago, the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live in their communities and not be forced into institutions.

That ruling changed millions of lives. But a right on paper only works when people can get the support they need. That’s what Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) make possible.

Congress made the biggest cuts to Medicaid in history last year. Now, many states are considering options that could reduce access to HCBS.

Help keep the promise of Olmstead alive. Tell Congress to protect Medicaid HCBS and the right of people with disabilities to live in their communities. https://bit.ly/4fAVl54

06/18/2026

📢💙Office Closed — Juneteenth Observance💙📢
The Arc of the Quad Cities Area will be closed tomorrow, Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.
We will resume normal business hours on Monday. Thank you for your understanding as our team takes this time to observe the day.
💙We appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving you again soon!

06/17/2026

🌟 We’re Grateful for an Inspiring Leadership Experience 🌟
The Arc of the Quad Cities Area was honored to attend the Executive Leadership Conference hosted by The Arc of Illinois on June 11th–12th at the Doubletree Hotel in Lisle, IL. This powerful gathering brought together leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the incredible speakers and organizations who shared their time, expertise, and passion:
👏 Lore Baker (Association for Individual Development)
👏 Dr. Alonzo Kelly (Kelly Leadership Group LLC)
👏 Kim Musheno (The Arc of the United States)
👏 Samantha Alloway (The Arc of Illinois)
👏 Colin Seale (thinkLaw)
👏 Erik Nelson (Kibu)
👏 Rio Goodwin Perez & April McClees (Going Home: A Full Life in the Community)
👏 Envision Unlimited (including Donna Ennis, Dr. Kristen Salkas, and team)
👏 Tara May (Aspiritech)
👏 Ann Morris (Little City Foundation)
From insightful discussions on leadership, policy, and innovation to meaningful conversations centered on advocacy and inclusion, each session reinforced the power of collaboration, critical thinking, and community-driven change.
Thank you to The Arc of Illinois for hosting such a thoughtful and impactful event, and to all attendees who are working every day to build a more inclusive future.
💙 Together, we continue moving forward; stronger, more connected, and more inspired.

06/16/2026

🖨️📦💼Exciting News from QC Flex — Now Offering Printing Services!💼📦🖨️
At QC Flex, we’re always looking for ways to expand our capabilities, and we’re excited to share that we can now print directly on corrugated boxes, opening the door to new possibilities for your business.
From custom branding on packaging to creative, high‑impact designs, this new addition allows us to help bring your ideas to life with vibrant colors, sharp detail, and reliable turnaround.
💙What this means for you:
✅Branded corrugated boxes and packaging
✅Enhanced visibility for your products and partners
✅Flexible, evolving printing capabilities
✅Design and layout support from our team
We’re just getting started and continuing to explore the full range of what this technology can do, so if you have an idea, we’d love to hear it and build a solution together.
👉Let’s create something that stands out.
📞For more information, call 309‑786‑2362
🌐Or visit www.qcflex.com and use the “Inquiry Form” on the Contact Us page
📣Share this post and tag a business that could take their packaging to the next level!

06/16/2026

📬💙Stay Connected with The Arc!💙📬
Want to stay up to date on everything happening at The Arc of the Quad Cities Area? From exciting events and inspiring stories to important announcements and community highlights; our email newsletter has it all!
✨When you subscribe, you’ll get:
• Updates on upcoming events and programs
• Behind‑the‑scenes highlights from our community
• Important announcements and opportunities to get involved
• Ways to support and make an impact
👉Don’t miss out—sign up today!
Visit our website or click the link and join our growing community of supporters who stay informed and connected.
http://eepurl.com/PGrIj
📣Know someone who should stay in the loop? Share this post with them!