The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County 

...promoting the human rights of individuals living with an IDD 

The Arc of NETC 

2013 Board of 

Directors 

Officers 

President 

Jennifer Jordan 

Jennifer@arcnetc.org 

Vice President 

Dora Irigoyen 

Dora@arcnetc.org 

Secretary 

Kelly Mastin 

Kelly@arcnetc.org 

Treasurer 

Bill Matheu 

Bill@arcnetc.org 

Directors 

Heather Landeros 

Heather@arcnetc.org 

Barb Gardetto 

Barb@arcnetc.org 

Victoria Herman 

SALT Representative 

JULY 2013 


Newsletter is 

published monthly. 

Information and 

resources included are 

intended for 

informational 

purposes only and 

should not be 

considered as an 

endorsement. 

As we celebrate our country’s Independence on 

July 4, have you thought about what it really 

means to be free? For people living life with a 

disability, their views on freedom and 

independence may vary greatly from those who 

do not have a disability. 

On July 26, we will be celebrating the anniversary 

of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law is 

only 23 years old. That means that it’s only been just recently (in the big 

scheme of things) that people with disabilities have legally been given the 

same civil rights and freedoms as everyone else. This is the first 

comprehensive law that prohibits discrimination against people with a 

disability. 

July 26, 1990 was a significant day in our country’s history, but the fight for 

civil rights for everyone still continues. It’s our job to make sure that this law 

is upheld. We need to advocate for change in many areas to ensure that 

people with disabilities truly are treated like everyone else. 

Thank you all for being a part of this civil rights movement. For more 

information about the ADA, see page 8 of our newsletter. The Arc of NETC 

appreciates your support in all that we do to help those in our community be 

the best that they can be. 

We hope everyone has a safe and memorable 4 th of July! 

~Jennifer Jordan 

“When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and 

every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed 

up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews 

and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and 

sing in the words of that old Negro spiritual, Free at last! Free at last! 

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

© The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County. The newsletter may be copied & distributed in its entirety. Page 1 of 12

The Arc of NETC… 

Happenings & Updates ___________ 

Invest in The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County; your support does make a difference! 

Arc NETC BOARD MEETINGS: The Arc of NETC board meetings are open to all who want to attend. 

Please join us anytime. The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the “Arc House” 

– 1806 Haltom Road, Haltom City, Texas 76117 and will be called to order promptly at 6:30 PM. 

SAY YES! Become an Arc NETC Volunteer. In an all volunteer organization, you can not have enough 

volunteers. Your time -‐-‐ no matter how small -‐-‐ is appreciated. To get involved, please complete our 

Volunteer Interest Form at http://www.arcnetc.org/uploads/Volunteer_Interest_Form.pdf. We look 

forward to working with you! Time and a human touch are one of the greatest gifts you can give. 

Volunteering is also a GREAT way to network with others and be in-‐the-‐know about opportunities and 

information that affect individuals who have a disability! When you give freely without expectation, it 

can come back to you in some very unpredictable ways. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

SALT Self Advocate Leaders of Today 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

SALT is run by & for individuals – 14 and older -‐ who have a disability and are passionate about the 

concept of “self-‐determination” for all citizens with the support of an advisor. SALT members work 

together and speak out for individuals who have a disability to have access to, and participate in all 

aspects of community with dignity and respect. 

Meetings -‐ held monthly -‐ provide an opportunity for continued learning, planning and social 

networking. 

JULY SALT MEETING: Constitutional Rights 

Friday, July 19 | 6:30PM-‐8:30PM | Putt Putt Fun Center (off loop 820 North Richland Hills) 

This month, SALT members and guests will be discussing their individual and constitutional rights. 

Members are asked to wear something in patriotic colors—red, white, and/or blue. 

JULY SALT SOCIAL: Jersey Mike’s 

Thursday, July 15 at 6:30 

Jersey Mike’s Subs | 7608 Denton Highway | Watauga, TX 76148 

The Arc of NETC will be holding a fundraiser at Jersey Mike’s, so we will be meeting at the restaurant as 

a group to enjoy an evening of good food and wonderful conversation. Please join us! 

RSVPs for both events are requested but not required. To RSVP, or for more information, email 

Gail@arcnetc.org or call 817-‐834-‐8700. 


PEAS Meetup Group 

Family Connections, a Partnership in Education, Advocacy, and Support 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

JULY COFFEE TALK: MOVING BEYOND PILES OF MESSES 

MOVING BEYOND PILES OF MESSES: MAKING SENSE OF ARD/IEP 

PAPERWORK 

Monday, July 29, 2014 from 9AM-‐11AM 

The Arc of NETC (The Arc House) | 1806 Haltom Road | Haltom City, TX 76117 

• How should I organize my child's IEP/ARD paperwork? 

• What should I include in my IEP/ARD paperwork? 

• Where should I go when I need help with my IEP/ARD paperwork? 

• Why should I keep my child's IEP/ARD paperwork? 

If you've ever asked yourself these questions, then this session is for you! Join us as we delve into what 

to keep and how to keep it. You will leave the session with a workable plan for organizing your piles of 

papers and creating a workable, organized plan for the paper mess. 

Presented by Barbi Beard-‐Wolfe 

RSVPs requested but not required. To RSVP email Kelly@arcnetc.org or call 817-‐834-‐8700. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

JUNE COFFEE TALK WRAP UP: 

In June, Coffee Talk participants gathered and brought their 

children for a time to socialize. We had a good crowd and enjoyed 

getting to know each other better. It is nice a couple of times a 

year to sit and chat with the friends that we’ve made at the 

monthly trainings. Besides just socializing, participants shared 

helpful information like iPad apps and other services. Thank you 

to those who participated this month. 

AUGUST COFFEE TALK: 

There will be no official Coffee Talk in August. Instead, on August 9 and 

10, Coffee Talk participants are invited to volunteer their time to help 

with the conference – Living With Disability: Tools for Today & 

Tomorrow-‐-‐which will take place on August 10 in North Richland Hills. 

The Arc of NETC will need manpower to make the conference a 

success, and we are hoping that Coffee Talk participants will be a part 

of the event. Contact Kelly for more information and to sign-‐up to help. Kelly@arcnetc.org 


PEAS Meetup Group 

Family Connections, a Partnership in Education, Advocacy, and Support 

PEAS Meetup group hosted Jeff Garrison-‐Tate in June for A Different Perspective: New Ways of Thinking. 

We were thrilled to have a room full of new faces as Jeff introduced us to the idea of Person-‐Centered 

Thinking. The group was challenged and educated on planning short-‐term and long-‐term for an 

individual with a disability while carefully listening to the desires of the individual. Attendees left with 

ideas and encouragement to make changes in their family member's life. The group was challenged to 

include things that are important to their family member with a disability -‐-‐ not just things that are 

important for him/her. The Arc of NETC looks forward to hosting Jeff Garrison-‐Tate again November 4-‐7 

for a four-‐day intensive session on Person-‐Centered Planning. 

MISSION 

To create a network of support for families of, and children who, experience life with a disability label. 

WE BELIEVE 

• in our children and their hopes and dreams 

• in the use of People First Language and recognize that labels do not define our children or their 

potential 

• that all people have value and can contribute in their own way 

• in each other and know that together we are stronger 

OUR WORK 

• Parent-‐to-‐Parent Support & Networking 

• Social Opportunities 

• Coffee Talk Meetings 

• Online Discussion Group 

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

LET’S MEET UP @ JERSEY MIKE’S! 

This is a fundraiser benefitting The Arc of NETC. After your meal, 

purchase a delicious cookie to complete your meal, and mention 

The Arc of NETC. Or better yet, purchase a dozen to take home to 

your family! $1.00 from every cookie purchased will be donated to 

our agency. Many thanks to Jersey Mike’s for providing this 

opportunity, and many thanks to you for your support. We hope 

to see you! 

Please join us at Jersey Mike’s 

Thursday, July 25—all day 

7608 Denton Highway 

Watauga, TX 76148 


What is Independent Living? 

Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, 

equal opportunities, and self-‐respect. Independent Living does not mean that we want 

to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation. 

Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our everyday lives that our 

non-‐disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors, and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our 

families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line 

with our education and interests, and start families of our own. 

Since we are the best experts on our needs, we need to show the solutions we want, need to be in 

charge of our lives, think and speak for ourselves—just as everybody else. To this end we must support 

and learn from each other, organize ourselves and work for political changes that lead to the legal 

protection of our human and civil rights. 

We are profoundly ordinary people sharing the same need to feel included, recognized, and loved. 

As long as we regard our disabilities as tragedies, we will be pitied. As long as we feel ashamed of who 

we are, our lives will be regarded as useless. As long as we remain silent, we will be told by others what 

to do. 

~Adolf Ratzka 2005 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

“Old or young, healthy as a horse or a person with a disability that hasn't kept you down, man or 

woman, Native American, native born, immigrant, straight or gay -‐-‐ whatever; the test ought to be I 

believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of 

Independence. I believe in religious liberty. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in working 

hard and playing by the rules. I'm showing up for work tomorrow. I'm building that bridge to the 21st 

century. That ought to be the test.” 

~Bill Clinton 


Beauty and Her Very Handsome Beast 

A blog post by Kelly Mastin, Ordinary Days at www.ourordinaryday.wordpress.com 

Beauty and the Beast (1992 film) (Photo credit: 

Wikipedia) 

There once was an 11-‐year-‐old Beauty who had 

some difficulties with walking long distances. 

She tired easily, her muscles were weak, and she 

lacked good balance for getting around 

efficiently. 

When faced with a hill or a mountain that 

Beauty’s wheelchair couldn’t climb, her 

handsome Beast happily donned a back pack 

carrier and carried Beauty up to the top of hills 

and mountains and back to the bottom. 

But luckily for Beauty, she had a handsome 

Beast who loved her very much. This Beast, 

whom she usually called Daddy, was determined 

that Beauty have all the experiences possible in 

life, namely on the family vacation to Colorado. 

While the family went up and down hills and 

mountains, Beast happily pushed Beauty’s 

wheelchair all the way to the top of the hills and 

mountains and all the way back down to the 

bottom. Over rocks, dirt, grass, and gravel, on 

trails, roads, and rocky paths Beast pushed her 

wheelchair, never once complaining or 

frowning. 

Hills and mountains that would have been out of 

Beauty’s reach were reached because of Beast’s 

dedication and love, determined that Beauty 

would experience life (and this vacation) to its 

fullest. 

Because of Beast’s determination Beauty 

experienced all of the mountains, all of the hills, 


and all of the waterfalls. Beauty appeared in all 

of the family photos and was a part of all of the 

fun. Beauty experienced all the views and all of 

the sights. And Beauty owed all of the thanks to 

Beast, her Beast. 

But Beauty’s Beast wasn’t big on accepting 

gratitude and thanks. Beast didn’t see himself as 

going an extra mile by carrying or pushing 

Beauty up hills and mountains. Beast really just 

thought it was something that he should do to 

aide in Beauty’s experience. Beast just saw it as 

his life … like breathing or eating … or waking up 

in the morning. Beast saw helping Beauty 

experience life as simply a part of his life and a 

part of his being. 

But I, the narrator, am hugely grateful and 

indebted for Beast’s sacrifice and hard work. 

And the fact that Beast doesn’t view himself as a 

hero makes him more of a hero in my eyes. I’m 

impressed and am looking forward to living 

happily ever after with Chloe’s handsome Beast. 

Remove the “Dis” from “Disability” 

• Limitations only go so far. 

• Know me for my abilities, not my disability. 

• I don't have a dis-‐ability, I have a different-‐ability. 

• My disability has opened my eyes to see my true abilities. 

• When everyone else says you can't, determination says,"YES YOU CAN." 

• There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more. 

• I have a Disability yes that’s true, but all that really means is I may have to take a slightly different 

path than you. 

• As a disabled man, let my life be a reflection of the endless amount of ability that exists in each 

and everyone of us. 

• We, the one's who are challenged, need to be heard. To be seen not as a disability, but as a 

person who has and will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a handicap, but as a well 

intact human being. 

• Placing one foot in front of the other, I've climbed to higher lengths. Reaching beyond my own 

limitations, to show my inner strength. No obstacle too hard for this warrior to overcome. I'm 

just a man on a mission, to prove my disability hasn't won. 

• No disability or dictionary out there is capable of clearly defining who we are as a person. It's 

only when we step out of that labeled box, that our abilities begin to be fully recognized, giving 

us a better definition of who we truly are as individuals. 

~Robert M. Hensel 

(Robert Michael Hensel was born with Spina bifida. He is also a Guinness World Records holder for the 

longest non-‐stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles.) 


SAVE THE DATE!!! 

Living With Disability: 

Tools for Today & Tomorrow 

A free information and resource conference for families and 

individuals living with a disability, the people who support 

them, and the community at large. The conference will include 

12 break out sessions covering a number of topics: assistive 

technology, behavior, potty training, ARD/IEP process, 

guardianship and alternatives to guardianship, resources for families, transition into adulthood, housing 

opportunities, and more! 

Saturday, August 10, 2013 

Center Point Church 

7804 Mid-‐Cities Blvd. 

North Richland Hills, TX 76180 

Detailed information and conference registration will be available later this month. 

Questions now, contact Jeanine Pinner through email jeanine@txp2p.org, text or call 1-‐512-‐217-‐3558. 

Conference sponsors include: Community Now!, Texas Parent to Parent, and The Learning Together 

Workshop Series. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Americans with Disabilities Act 

July 26 will mark the 23 rd anniversary of the Americans 

with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities 

Act creates the opportunity for everyone with a disability 

to live a life of freedom and equality. Passed by the 

Congress and signed into law by the President on July 26, 

1990, the ADA is the first comprehensive declaration of 

equality for people with disabilities. The ADA protects the 

civil rights of people with disabilities in all aspects of 

employment, in accessing public services such as 

transportation, and guaranteeing access to public accommodations such as restaurants, stores, hotels 

and other types of buildings to which the public has access. 

For more information about this monumental law, or to see the entire Americans with Disabilities Act, 

visit www.adata.org. 


Kroger Community Rewards Program 

Beginning August 1, you can support The Arc of NETC every time you shop 

at Kroger! All you need is a Kroger Plus card to register online. It’s that 

easy! We’ve posted the instructions below so that you’ll be ready to go on 

August 1. A portion of your grocery total will be donated to our agency. 

We would greatly appreciate your support! 

• Register online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com 

• Customers must have a registered Kroger Plus card account to link to The Arc of NETC. 

• If you do not have a Kroger Plus Card, they are available at the customer service desk at any 

Kroger. 

• If you are a new online customers, you must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ 

box. 

• Sign up for a Kroger Community Rewards Account by entering your zip code, clicking on favorite 

store, enter your email address, create a password, and agree to the terms and conditions. 

• You will get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the 

email. 

• Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step. 

• Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. 

• Update or confirm your information. 

• Enter your NPO number or name of organization, or select organization from list and click on 

confirm. 

• To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organizations name on the right side of 

your information page. 

• Do you use your phone number at the register? If so, call 800-‐576-‐4377, select option 4 to get 

your Plus Card number. 

• You must swipe your registered Kroger Plus Card or use your Alt ID when shopping for each 

purchase to count. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION! 

AGENCY: THE ARC OF NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY 

NPO NUMBER: 84550 


NEWS YOU CAN USE… conferences, resources, workshops and more 

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS 

ABILITIES EXPO! 

August 2 – August 4, 2013 | Houston 

http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/houston/index.html 

CAMP FIRE OVERNIGHT CAMP INCLUSION 

June 9 – July 13, 2013 | Granbury, TX 

For more info: www.CampElTesoro.org 

ICAN BIKE CAMPS 

• July 29 – August 2, 2013 | Arlington 

• August 5 – August 9, 2013 | San Antonio 

• August 12 – August 16, 2013 | Richardson 

For information about iCan Bike events in Texas visit: 

http://icanshine.org/find-‐a-‐program/ 

CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS 

EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER (ESC) TRAININGS 

ESCs provide for the joint training of parents, ISD 

staff, and others who express an interest. Locate 

your ESC and trainings at: 

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index.aspx?id=2147494810 

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TRAININGS 

July 7-‐8 (Abilene) 

August 1-‐2, 2013 (Denton) 

For more information, or to register (required) 

http://www.kessjones.com/PBM2013.htm 

PATH PROJECT 

Transition from ECI to Public School 

July 2, 2013 | 6:30 PM 

For more info contact Shannon Rosson, PATH 

Regional Coordinator Region 9 &11 

shannon.path@gmail.com 

9 th ANNUAL TEXAS PARENT TO PARENT (TXP2P) 

CONFERENCE 

July 26-‐27, 2013 | San Marcus 

For additional information, or to register (required) 

visit the Texas P2P webpage at: http://txp2p.org/ 

DESIGNING BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS FOR 

INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD: THE ZIGGURAT 

MODEL 

August 12 – August 13, 2013 | Frisco 

http://texasautism.com/blog/training/ 

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF 

CONFERENCE 

August 1-‐4, 2013 |Galveston 

For more info: http://deaftexas.org/wp/conference/ 

TEXAS HOME SCHOOL COALITION 

August 1-‐3, 2013 | The Woodlands 

For more info: 

http://www.thsc.org/Categories.aspx?Id=Convention 

TEXAS ADVOCATES CONFERENCE 

August 9 – August 11, 2013 | Houston 

http://arctx.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=TXA_Know_Conference 

2013 TEXAS AUTISM RESEARCH CONFERENCE 

July 12-‐13, 2013 | Embassy Suites San Marcos — 

Hotel, Spa & Conference Center 

1001 E. McCarty Lane 

San Marcos, Texas 78666 

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/tarrc/research/2013conference/index.html 

ABILITY CONNECTIONS TEXAS 

Proloquo2Go Workshops 

Part 1: 

July 12 Kids Care Therapy | Dallas | 9AM-‐Noon 

OR 

August 2 Dynamic Therapy | Plano | 9AM-‐Noon 

Part 2: 

July 8 Ability Connections Texas | Dallas | 9AM-‐Noon 

Space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, 

contact Leah Gardner 

LGardner@AbilityTexasConnection.org or 214-‐247-‐4539 

TALAC 

Post 83 rd Legislature Session Conference 

July 7-‐8, 2013 | Embassy Suites Austin Central 

For more information, or to register: 

http://talac.tamu.edu/about.htm 


INPUT OPPORTUNITIES 

DADS 

PEN 2 PAPER CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST The Texas Department of Aging and Disability 

CTD's annual Pen 2 Paper creative writing 

Services (DADS) maintain several LTSS programs that 

competition seeks pieces of fiction, non-‐fiction, include, among others, Texas Medicaid Waiver 

poetry, and comics that treat the topic of disability. programs. Each program has different eligibility 

For more information, visit the CTD site at: 

requirements, rules, funding amounts and service 

http://www.txdisabilities.org/news-‐events/pen-‐2-‐paper options. Examples of service options include, but are 

not limited to… 

WEBINARS 

• Adaptive Aids • Behavioral Supports • Community 

Support • Dental • Financial Management Services • 

Habilitation • Minor Home Modifications • Nursing 

PARTNERS RESOURCE NETWORK 

• Personal Care Services • Residential Assistance • 

Summer Webinar Series 

Respite • Specialized Therapies • Supported 

http://www.partnerstx.org/node/334 

Employment Services • Supported Home Living • 

and more… 

MICHIGAN ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES ARCHIVED While LTSS programs exist, they are most often not 

WEBINARS 

immediately available. When you call to access 

Sessions include a variety of topics regarding the 

special education process and services for students 

who have a disability. The Michigan Alliance for 

Families is a State Parent Training and Information 

(PTI) Center in Michigan. Their webinars are offered 

at no cost for parents, caregivers, and educators 

regardless of the state in which they live. For more 

Medicaid Waiver services in Texas you will learn of 

an “interest list", known by families and individuals 

who have a disability as actually being a “waiting 

list". Some people have waited up to 11+ years. 

View the “interest list” reduction summary at 

http://www.dads.state.tx.us/services/interestlist/index.html. 

Contact information and Texas LTSS program details 

information, visit 

are available on the DADS website at: 

http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/webinar/ http://www.dads.state.tx.us/ltss/. Call TODAY! 

Note: program eligibility will be determined at the 

time services are offered. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

SUMMER INFORMATION 

The recent passage of Senate Bill 485 (83rd Regular Legislative Session, 2013) changes the dates of this 

year’s annual Sales Tax Holiday to August 9-‐11, a week earlier than previously scheduled. As in previous 

years, the law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and 

backpacks priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save 

shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. 

Some ideas for fun/free summertime learning: 

www.funbrain.com 

www.abcya.com 

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com 

http://www.jumpstart.com/parents/worksheets 


P.O. Box 14455 

Fort Worth, Texas 76117 

(817) 834-‐7700 

arcnetc@att.net 

www.arcnetc.org 

MISSION: The Arc of Northeast Tarrant 

County promotes the human rights of 

individuals who have intellectual and 

developmental disabilities and actively 

supports their full inclusion and 

participation in the community 

throughout their life span. 

VISION: Our vision for the future is a world 

where people with disabilities are included 

in their communities and where quality 

supports and services respond to their 

needs and personal choices. 

Invest in 


Become a Member 

Make a Donation 

Recycle Household 

Items 

Volunteer 

Your support does 

make a difference! 

The Arc of NETC, a 501 (c)(3) membership non-‐profit organization is an affiliated 

chapter of The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Texas. 

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County Membership Form 

Date: _____________ 

_______________________________ 

Name 

_______________________________ 

Apt. # 

_______________________________ 

Phone Number 

(Please mark all that apply) 

______________________________ 

Address 

______________________________ 

City/State/Zip 

______________________________ 

Email Address 

___ New Member ___ Renewing Member ___ Adult with a disability ___ Parent of a child with DD 

___ Parent of an adult with DD ___ Interested Citizen ___ Professional ___ Other: ____________ 

Membership Fees: $10 Person with a disability $15 Individual $30 Family $100 Corporation 

I would like to receive the newsletter by: US Mail 

Email Address: _________________________________________ 

Please complete this form and mail it with your payment to: 

The Arc of NETC — P.O. Box 14455 ·∙ Haltom City, Texas 76117 or join online at: 

http://www.arcnetc.org/Get_Involved.php

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County

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