About ARC
To support people who have disabilities, and their families, through a range of accommodating, responsive and creative supports.
ARC's Values:
We believe that all people have the same basic human rights.
We believe that people who have disabilities, and their families and carers have a right to access appropriate, responsive, flexible and creative supports.
We actively value collaborative involvement from all stakeholders and consumers in service design, delivery and evaluation.
ARC's Vision is:
To be a lead service provider of accessible, appropriate responsive and flexible disability support services.
ARC Disability Services Inc. currently provides the following services;
- The ARC Resource Centre (Toy Library)
- The ARC Respite House
- The ARC Flexi Respite Service
- The ARC Family Support Program
- The ARC Post Schools Services
- The ARC Emergency Support Service
- ARC Geographical Area
The History of ARC
ARC Disability Services Inc. started originally as the Noah's Ark Toy Library. It was established in 1976 by a group of parents who recognised the need for educational toys for children who have disabilities. At that time integration was not the norm and therefore children with particular needs did not generally have access to either specialised toys and equipment, or a large range of toys, through either playgroup or kindy etc. The toy library services were established and managed by the committee.
In 1986 there was a public meeting attended by parents of children and young adults who have disabilities. The need for Residential Respite was identified at that time, and Noah's Ark agreed to sponsor funds gained through the then department of Human Services (Federal Funding). The service was set up and initially operated from rented accommodation in town and in Brinsmead. The committee of Cairns Noah's Ark Inc. applied for funding to build a purpose built house and successfully gained these funds in 1989. The house opened in its current location in 1990.
In 1991/2 the CSDA (Commonwealth State Disability Agreement) was made between Human and Family Services. Our funding has since then been provided by the Department of Family Services, now known as Disability Services Queensland.
Since the original Service was established we have attracted funding for a number of other short and long-term projects. The biggest impact has been the funding of the Flexible Respite Service. This started in 1991 with funding from both the State and Federal Departments and has steadily grown from supporting less than ten families to 42 families on a regular basis.
At the AG.M. of Cairns Noah's Ark Inc. in September 1998 the new name of ARC Disability Services was decided upon to mark the change in direction, which the organisation has taken over the years. It was felt that Cairns Noah's Ark as a name identified more the involvement with Toy Library Services rather than reflecting the broader outlook of the organisation at that time.
Today ARC Disability Services Inc. operates:
- The ARC Resource Centre (Incorporating the Toy Library Section and The Assistive Technology Section)
- The ARC Respite House
- The ARC Flexible Respite Service
- The ARC Post Schools Services
- The ARC Emergency Response Service
- The ARC Family Support Program
