The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides support to millions of people with disabilities and their families to afford necessities, such as food and rent. SSI has asset limits that have not been updated for 33 years.

A new bill has been introduced in Congress to help change this. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act will raise the SSI asset limits and significantly improve the lies of people with disabilities who receive SSI. Please act now and contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to support this critical bill.

People who may need extra time, patience and support in getting their COVID vaccine or booster are invited to attend The Arc's Sensory-Friendly COVID Vaccine Clinic this Friday.

The clinic will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1685 W. 13th Ave. in Eugene. Preregistration is required. Register for an appointment now.

Stepping Out, which supports individuals who want to recreate in the community, will be moving to The Arc's building on A Street in Springfield. This will provide clients and staff with easy access to city transportation and recreation opportunities.

The Arc's EmployAbility, which supports adults with disabilities in their pursuit of community employment, will move from the A St. location in downtown Springfield to The Arc's main building at 4181 E Street. Clients will access these programs at their new locations on Wed., June 1. Questions? Email The Arc Lane County.

The Impact Club Eugene, an organization that invites local nonprofits to compete in a high-stakes, story-telling competition, awarded $8,200 to the Arc Park at its Eugene event on April 27.

Watch a recording of the live Impact Club Event.

Teens and young adults with disabilities are invited to learn workforce readiness skills and gain skills through a paid internship by participating in The Arc Lane County's Summer Work Program, which will start July 5.

The Summer Work Program is an eight-week program with a morning and afternoon cohort. The students will receive classroom instruction to learn workforce readiness skills, and then gain valuable, boots-on-the-ground experience in a paid internship. Contact Rachel for more information.

The Arc Lane County Carnival will feature games, prizes, a magician, face painting, inflatables and more, and it will be held inside the new Arc Park. The Carnival will kick off fun activities The Arc plans to host for people of all ages inside the Arc Park this summer. Stay tuned for the complete list of summer activities, which will be published soon!

The Sensory Zone has fidgets, headphones and other tools people can access to help them self-regulate. There is also a quiet space in the event someone needs a place to retreat to if he/she feels overwhelmed.

Come see the Sensory Zone at the Children’s Celebration and PetFest on June 11, the Eugene Riverfront Festival on July 14, Florence Night Out on Aug. 2 and the Scandinavian Festival on Aug. 11-14.

May is bike month in the city of Eugene.

As part of the month-long celebration, the City of Eugene Adaptive Recreation is providing free adaptive bike rentals!

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day hosted in April, the rock and roll musician Sting sings "The Hiring Chain," a short video that shows people with disabilities working in various jobs in community.

Watch the video and share with others to help change perceptions about people with disabilities. The more people with disabilities are seen as valuable employees and contributing members of their communities, the more they will be hired.

The Arc Lane County will host an online webinar on June 29 at 11 am to help people who experience disabilities, their support staff and their families learn how to travel independently using a city bus.

Mark your calendar for the Travel Training next month, and make plans to attend.

Last month, a team from The Arc Lane County participated in the Springfield Rotary's Prom 5K. They had so much fun that the team is now participating in NAMIWalks on Saturday, May 21.