Above: Nathan Scott of Fairmont is co-chairman of The Arc of Minnesota State Board of Directors. Scott is the first person with a disability in the state to serve as head of the board.

FAIRMONT– Nathan Scott, a Fairmont man, was elected as co-chairman of the board of directors for The Arc Minnesota. The Arc is a non-profit organization that works to promote and protect the human rights of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting them and their families in a lifetime of full inclusion and participation in their communities.

LeeAnn Erickson, regional director of The Arc Minnesota Southwest, shared that the organization was started in the 50s when a family in Minneapolis put an advertisement in the paper asking for parents who had a child with a disability to meet up and discuss future options for the children.

“Back then, children or adults were not able to go to school. There were no jobs for them. You either kept them at home or placed them in a state institution. So many people were told they needed to put their babies in a state institution,” Erickson said.

Of course now it’s known that people with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives but Erickson said it wasn’t always like that. She has two adult sons, Ted and Jim, with disabilities. They were diagnosed as toddlers.

After The Arc was formed, the group jumped into action. The Arc went up to the legislature and found funding for education and then received funding for work services.

“Then they realized their sons and daughters would need a place to live so they got funding for residential homes,” Erickson said.

She said The Arc has continued on and now works for whatever self-advocates say they need.

Erickson said they have a pretty good connection with legislation and while the last two years it’s been virtual, in the past they’ve gone up to meet with senators and representatives.

“Nathan was always very comfortable talking to them about the issues we’re working on,” Erickson said.

She said there’s a big staffing crisis right now that needs to be addressed. Many people rely on staff to drive them to work, appointments and activities and when there’s no one to do it, they have to miss out on those important events.

“There’s also a housing issue right now. There’s just not enough housing,” Erickson said.

One exciting thing that’s being worked on right now is an inclusive higher education program so people can go on to college after high school.

Erickson said there are a few colleges in Minnesota that offer classes for people with disabilities and Mankato State University is looking at introducing inclusive college education in 2023.

If it’s launched, and Erickson is confident it will, she said it would be the first totally inclusive program.

Also new in the past few years is the addition of Scott’s position on the board.

“He’s the first person with a disability that has had a head position on the board,” Erickson explained.

She said two years ago a self-advocate said that if the board was going to serve people with disabilities, they should have a person with a disability in a leadership role.

Scott is in his second year as co-chair of the board, along with Stan Alleyne.

The board meets once a month in the Twin Cities, though most of the meeting are virtual right now.

“Right now we’re talking about justice and equity and Arc for all,” Scott said.

The board recently finished a series of training sessions on diversity, equity, inclusion and disability justice.

Part of Scott’s job as co-chair is to open and close the meetings.

“One of the things is to really involve, not speak for, but listen to. We haven’t always been good at that but we’re getting much better,” Erickson said.

Scott also works through STEP, Inc. at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont. He does laundry and housekeeping there, earning a competitive wage.