THE GOOD MEASURE
Championing inclusion, distinction without difference Long before Connectable, a year-long public awareness campaign launched to enhance connections with people who have intellectual and developmental differences (IDDs), rolled out in Jacksonville in late 2017, The Arc Jacksonville had a rich, 50-year-plus history of engaging people with IDDs. In April 2016, the opening of The Arc Jacksonville Village proved the nonprofit had attained its vision to provide a community where disability is a distinction without a difference. “I am so proud to tell anyone that will listen about The Village. We are so fortunate to have it right here in Jacksonville,” said MaryJo Culliton, whose son, Robbie, is a resident there. “And for the first time in 21 years I don’t have to worry… because of The Arc Jacksonville, Robbie has his own home!” Championing the inclusion of persons with unique abilities since 1965, The Arc Jacksonville empowers more than 500 adults in earning an education or a living, creating a home, and engaging with the community. In addition to programs such as community employment or the Triumph Industries Day Program, which offers training in The Arc Jacksonville’s production facilities, clients also
enjoy social and recreational programs, both on- and off-campus, which offer options for slower-paced activities as well as more vigorous ones, such as ice skating. “When I’m at the ice rink, people don’t know that I have a disability,” said Hayley Hess, an active client who takes the bus to the ice rink every week and also works at Top Golf in the Guest Services department. The On Campus Transition (OCT) program at the University of North Florida is responsible for helping young adult clients increase their Hayley Hess finds time from her job education, transition into adulthood and begin at Top Golf to to live independently. skate every week Robbie Culliton is in his third year in the OCT program at UNF and said he found a fuller life as a result. “The OCT program taught me to be independent, and living at the Village has given me a full life!” said Robbie, who just celebrated five years working at Winn-Dixie and is a manager on the UNF Men’s Basketball team. The Arc Village won over Hayley’s mother’s – Hayley misgivings about her daughter living far from home. she was born, raised and has family – she had “While I was skeptical about Hayley staying clearly found a community of friends that in Jacksonville after she graduated from OCT made her happy and was working well for – rather than moving back to Tampa, where her,” said Janet Hess.
“When I’m at the ice rink, people don’t know that I have a disability.”
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