The Arc of Bartholomew County

04/17/2026

✴️ Inclusive programming through Columbus Parks and Rec is here! ✴️
https://columbusparksandrec.com/inclusive-programs/?fbclid=IwVERDUARO5M9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5dMbqfI79EP3XXqSwU-B6yGCCIWP0a7BdJ9D6bN0jnvmsclCIGfllZ2k30kg_aem_Ca3nhcg0kULcK_EjWP1Ygw

04/16/2026

We love it when our BCSC Empower students come on Thursdays!

✴️ What is Empower? The BCSC Empower Program is a 1-2 year transition initiative designed for Bartholomew County School Corporation students aged 18-22 with an IEP who are working toward a certificate of achievement or alternative diploma.

✴️ The program is based at The Columbus Learning Center, utilizing the resources of Ivy Tech and IU Columbus.

✴️ The goal is for students to achieve 100% independence in their daily lives within the community before leaving the program.

✴️ The program features partnerships with local employers including Columbus Regional Health, Cummins, BCSC, and The Arc of Bartholomew County, along with others.

Visit www.bcscschools.org for more information

04/16/2026

American Sign Language Day! 👋 ASL is the universal language for the hearing impaired but also for non-verbal, non speaking people like my son Jake. ASL was a lifesaver for us. He was able to communicate wants and needs without frustration. I remember when he was 3 and the doctor said he had the capacity of a 6 month old. His speech therapist encouraged us to teach ASL and Jake picked up on it immediately! ASL changed our lives and opened up Jake's world! 🤟

Did you know National American Sign Language (ASL) Day is celebrated annually on April 15 to commemorate the opening of the first permanent school for the deaf in the US in 1817?

ASL is available on Mango Languages, a free resource that you can use with your library card. Download the Mango Languages app on your device's app store, or visit mybcpl.org/resources to get started.

04/15/2026

PropFest is our 💫 FOLLOWER! 💫 We will be there Saturday. Bring your favorite lawn chair and let's all make it PropFest!

Looking for Something to Do This Saturday? Make It PropFest. It’s Free.

Columbus Municipal Airport — April 18th, 4-8 PM. Live music, cold beer from Hog Molly Brewing Company, great food, and chances to win goodies from Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Trust us, it’s the move this weekend. Bring your people.

04/15/2026

📣 In celebration of Autism Awareness month, Joyce Sipes and colleagues from the Ladies Auxiliary at the Fraternal Order of Eagles presented a generous donation to The Arc of Bartholomew County.

🇺🇸 This organization does so much for our community! We are so thankful for their generous spirit.

04/14/2026

04/13/2026

✴️ Join us this week for amazing community activities and connecting with friends!

04/10/2026

🌟 Thank You for an Incredible Awards Spotlight Series! 🌟

We’ve had such a great time highlighting each of our award categories over the past week and celebrating the many ways individuals and organizations make a difference in our community. Thank you to everyone who has already submitted nominations, we truly appreciate your support in helping us recognize those making a difference.

We’re looking forward to celebrating together at the Annual Awards Ceremony 2026

📅 May 14, 2026
🕠 5:30 – 6:30 PM
📍 Hotel Indigo (400 Brown Street, Columbus, IN 47201)

There’s still time to submit a nomination! If someone comes to mind or you haven’t had the chance yet, nominations remain open until April 25, 2026.

Submit your nominations here:
https://forms.gle/9SuQNjZdp9CBWhDF9

We can’t wait to honor this year’s nominees and celebrate the impact they make every day. 💙

04/09/2026

We’re still smiling thinking about the amazing time we had at our Disability Awareness Dance! 💃🕺 The energy, joy, and sense of community made it a truly wonderful evening for everyone.

A special thank you goes out to Self-Advocate and SABC Board Member Brandon Boas for his generous in-kind donation of his photography services to help us capture all the fun moments from the night. We are so grateful for his support!

If you’re looking for a talented photographer, Brandon is currently accepting appointments. You can connect with him at:
🌐 www.bblovephotos.com
📧 bblovephotos@sbcglobal.net
📞 (812) 371-5511
📞 (812) 343-4043

Thank you again to everyone who joined us, we can’t wait to see you at our next event! 💙

04/09/2026

🌟 Awards Spotlight Series: Youth Recognition Award🌟

We’re excited to celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations in our community at our upcoming Awards Ceremony on May 14th!

Nominations are now open, and we encourage you to help us recognize those making a meaningful impact. The deadline to submit nominations is April 25th.

🏆 Today’s Featured Award: Youth Recognition Award

Recognizing a youth, group of youths, or organization that has performed outstanding service on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Do you know someone who deserves this recognition? Submit your nomination here:
https://forms.gle/9SuQNjZdp9CBWhDF9

Thank you for a week of recognition of our upcoming Annual Awards Ceremony. This was our last spotlight for the week, but tune in tomorrow for a final post all about the Annual Awards Ceremony 2026, we hope to see you there!💙

04/08/2026

🌟 Membership for the New Year is Here! 🌟

As we begin a new membership year, now is the perfect time to renew your membership or join The Arc of Bartholomew County!

✴️ Memberships are essential to helping organizations like ours grow, advocate, and continue supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community and beyond. When you join, you’re not just supporting a cause you’re becoming part of something bigger.

By becoming a member, you join a network of over 27,000 Hoosiers and 150,000 members nationwide, including families, self-advocates, and individuals all working toward inclusion and opportunity for all.

🗣️ Your membership adds your voice to a powerful collective advocating for full inclusion and participation at the local, state, and national levels. Together, we show legislators that the rights of people with disabilities matter.

✴️ Members are also invited to our Annual Awards Ceremony each May, where we celebrate those making a difference in our community.

Membership Options:
• Self-Advocate: $8
• Individual: $20
• Family: $35

👉 Join or renew today: https://thearcbc.networkforgood.com/projects/298975-membership-2026-2027