Jack Trammell, Mount St. Mary’s University, worked with the Arc of Hanover in Ashland, VA, which is an advocacy organization for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ASA asked Trammell about his work:
What is the mission of the ARC of Hanover? The Arc of Hanover is the leading advocacy, service and awareness organization for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hanover County. The Arc of Hanover currently serves 200+ individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities through advocacy, information and supports. We provide direct services to Hanover County residents and assist many in the neighboring localities with information and referral. The Arc of Hanover advocates for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community living. We educate elected officials and the public about the needs of children and adults with disabilities. The Arc of Hanover is managed by a volunteer board of directors. The Arc of Hanover receives no government funding and is dependent on donors, fundraising events and private grants.
Could you describe the project? Students in sociology courses like Disabilities in America (SOCI 228) have a service learning component that is required as part of the course. The Arc of Hanover has been an ongoing site for collaboration and community-based learning. Typically, students use various skills to help the organization with their mission, ranging from clerical help to program design and implementation. They often match up with an Arc citizen and work collaboratively over the course of a semester. A recent program consisted of a series of classes on wellness that SOCI 228 students and Arc citizens jointly attended. The content was adapted for everyone, and each class focused on a different element of wellness, with actual practice opportunities as follow up. For example, a dietician taught class, and then the entire group went out for lunch and practiced ordering and eating healthy. In another case, a trainer visited class, and then the entire group went to the recreation center together. The service learning experience has benefited all the participants, and helped the Arc maintain important connections in the community. The students in SOCI 228 have also provided vital services and help to the daily operations of the non-profit organization. The Psychology and Philosophy departments on campus have also worked extensively with the Arc.
What sociological knowledge and/or skills did you use? Service learning is one of the best ways to take course content and enrich it through community-based, “real life” experiences. In this course, service learning provides an opportunity to interact with individuals and organizations in a way that has an immediate and meaningful connection with the evolving social history of disability in the United States, as well as connections to social science theories that are explored in the class.
How did you connect with the ARC of Hanover? The Hanover Arc and my sociology students have a long history of collaboration that dates back to my days as a special educator in the local school system.
Duration of the project? Repeated every semester in which a course like SOCI 228 is taught.
Is there anything else you would like to share about this work? Sociology and anthropology distinguish themselves (in my mind) from other disciplines by the commitment to living and researching where theory meets practice. Partnerships like this one with the Arc of Hanover are a tangible and incredibly valuable opportunity to bring sociology into the community.
