Overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults with disabilities have a 58% higher rate of obesity than adults without disabilities. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges related to eating healthy, maintaining weight, and being physically active. People with IDD also experience three times the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer as compared to the general population. The Arc’s Health and Fitness for All program provides education and resources that will help people with IDD make healthier decisions in their daily lives.
The project’s training curriculum was developed by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and provides overall structured information on how to organize and start a tailored physical activity and health education program for people with IDD. The 12-week course is an evidence-based program designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals with IDD and focuses on healthy eating, portion control, and physical activity. Each session concentrates on a different health message and includes an exercise component that encourages participants to stay active. Since 2012, The Arc has reached over 950 participants with the use of the HealthMatters curriculum and provided those with IDD the tools and resources needed to lead healthier lives.
Dental for All
Funded through CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Dental for All aims to address disparities in dental health outcomes for people with IDD by focusing on community education and partnerships. Chapters of The Arc will host dental office open houses to help desensitize people with IDD to the dental office setting and tools, while educating oral health professionals about supports needed for persons with IDD.
Mental Health First Aid Training
We are partnering with United Health Foundation to increase training, education, and resources for people with IDD and co-occurring mental health needs by building communities that are better equipped to support their unique needs. Ten chapters have been selected to participate in this project to provide Mental Health First Aid trainings and resources to providers in their area.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
