You may know The Arc best by our Special Olympics team or our People First Aktion Club. But did you know that The Arc does so much more?

If you ever have a child, family member or other loved one diagnosed with any type of I/DD, you will quickly come to realize just how invaluable The Arc is, and come to appreciate in a new way all that The Arc does.

The Arc is the largest national organization of and for people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities and their families, promoting and protecting their human rights and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

We foster respect and access, giving people with I/DD the power to achieve a full and satisfying life through a strong grassroots network 700 state and local chapters across the nation.

At the national level, a 22 member national board of directors and a delegate body of representatives from each chapter guide The Arc’s work. The national headquarters staff, located in Washington, D.C., carry out their decisions and directives.

 

When was The Arc founded?

The Arc was founded in 1952 by a small group of parents and other concerned individuals. At that time, little was known about the condition of intellectual disabilities (then referred to as mental retardation) or its causes; there were virtually no programs and activities in communities to assist in the development and care of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and or to help support families.

In the early days the organization worked to change the public’s perception of children with intellectual disabilities and to educate parents and others regarding the potential of people with intellectual disabilities. The Arc also worked to obtain services for children and adults who were denied day care, preschool, education and work programs.

 How does The Arc carry out its vision?

The Arc is recognized as the foremost partner for families and people with intellectual disabilities to support and enhance the quality of their lives. The Arc does this through advocacy on behalf of individuals and families at all levels of The Arc and in the legislative, systems and individual advocacy arenas.

Providing information and technical support to individuals, families and organizations assists them in fulfilling their dreams. Advocacy takes place at the personal, local, state and national levels.

Locally, individual advocacy is available through The Arc of Mower County. At the state level, advocacy occurs with the executive and legislative branches of government, administrative agencies, school districts and other providers. At the national level, advocacy opportunities exist with regard to influencing federal agencies, policies and funding for disability programs and services.

The Arc also educates policymakers, people with intellectual disabilities, service providers, families and the greater community on best practices and issues that impact people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Arc is a national force that creates the environment and the opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and their families to have choices as they live their lives in the community.

 

Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc of Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102.  You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.