PO Box 3024, Dubuque, IA 52004-3024

About Us

About Us

ARK Advocates stands for Advocacy, Respect, and Knowledge.  We are a not-for-profit organization consisting of parents and community members advocating with and for the needs of persons with disabilities.  We hope to inspire and increase awareness regarding services and opportunities available for persons with disabilities in the Tri-State area.

History

1950’s

  • Organization began as a local parent meeting – Roy Schmeichel leading the charge
  • Joined United Fund partnering with United Way
  • ARK was paramount in bringing agencies to Dubuque that would serve persons with disabilities including Hills and Dales, Area Residential Care

1960’s

  • Formed the Dubuque County Association for Retarded Citizens

  • Assisted with Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drives

  • Buddy Club started

  • Camperships provided for Albrecht Acres

  • Parent support group formed

1970’s

  • Name change to Dubuque County Association for Retarded Citizens and joined the State ARC

  • State Convention in Dubuque with ARC advocating politically for changes

  • Respite Care Program started

  • Very Special Arts started

1980’s

  • Name change to Arc of Dubuque Area

  • Many bills passed legislatively which allowed the local Association to continue to grow and advocate for persons with disabilities

  • Child driver’s seats purchased, and gift bags distributed to new parents

  • Christmas card sales with art drawn by persons with disabilities

  • Kids on the Block started

  • Candidate’s Night held

  • Assisted Boy Scouts to start an inclusive troop

1990’s

  • Annual Essay Contest started

  • Up with Families Educational Program begins

  • TASK (Talk about Special Kids) started – Merged with Kids on the Block

  • Child at Home Grant Project partnership

  • Buddy Walk started and then became the ARK Walk

  • Information and Referral Director of Services was developed

  • Schools were now integrated and the word “handicapped” was removed from the Iowa Code

2000’s-2010’s

  • The group continued raising money for camperships and a financial assistance program

  • New Organization formed and by-laws adopted as ARK Advocates, dropping affiliation with United way and Arc of US and Iowa

  • Awards presented for advocates of persons with disabilities (gave out 100’s of awards throughout the years at annual meeting)

  • Respite events began in partnership with Loras DuBuddy Club

  • Buddy Walk evolved into the ARK Walk

  • First office in Millwork District-Was in our homes prior to that

  • Lending library established 2012

  • Roll & Sole-a-Thon started to create opportunities for individuals to try adaptive bikes and raise money for our lending library

  • Adaptive sports events in partnership with DBQ Leisure services including powerchair soccer, snow skiing, sit volleyball and wheelchair basketball

2020’s and Our Future

  • We saw several changes in service delivery throughout the state

  • More resources to parents/families became available, including internet access

  • ARK was having difficulties sustaining membership, volunteers, and fundraising

  • The board decided to streamline services to those most used and Community members step up to advocate and help sustain ARK’s lending library 

  • New by-laws with new board members established 2024

  • Legacy campaign to recognize all the work that has gone into ARK leading up to this change placing of a memory bench in the Miracle League Park and an accessible sign campaign.

  • Seasonal bike shed maintained with city support so the public has access to adaptive bikes

  • Beginning in 2024, ARK Advocates continues the Lending Library as the Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program with a large adaptive and durable medical equipment inventory. This program is sustained in partnership with EasterSeals Iowa.

  • As ARK regroups and grows, we hope to continue supporting persons with disabilities in a variety of ways and bring back adaptive sports nights events.

Current Projects

  • A “Keep it free, think of me” sign campaign is underway. ARK Advocates is launching this awareness campaign to put a local face on and enhance the standard issued designated ADA accessible blue signs throughout our community.  There are occasions when people with unauthorized vehicles think a quick use of an accessible space doesn’t impact anyone, however, it can prevent individuals with disabilities access to businesses, services, and spaces. The signs serve as beacons of inclusion, indicating to customers and visitors that their needs are recognized and accommodated.  If you are interested in placing a sign at your establishment, please contact ARK Advocates at [email protected] or call 563-556-1785.

“Whatever your reason, if you don’t have the correct permissions to use an accessible parking spot, then don’t! I need the handicap (accessible) spot and lots of room for my wheelchair ramp, both to get out and back into my van. So, please be kind…don’t take the parking spots that we require to be able to participate in the community, both as a member and as a consumer. Don’t park crooked in the adjacent spot, which inhibits our access.  I pray that you never need a handicap (accessible) spot and experience the inconsiderate disregard for access to and from my vehicle or simply finding a spot has been taken by an unauthorized person and vehicle.”
 
–Roger and Diane Arensdorf