The Arc of the United States’ cover photo
The Arc of the United States

The Arc of the United States

Individual and Family Services

Washington, District of Columbia 26,085 followers

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

About us

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. With approximately 140,000 members affiliated through over 600 state and local chapters across the nation, we are on the front lines to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support and services they need to be fully engaged in their communities. The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. If you are interested in a career with The Arc, visit our job board: http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/job-board.

Website
http://www.thearc.org
Industry
Individual and Family Services
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Washington, District of Columbia
Type
Nonprofit
Founded
1950
Specialties
Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and Down Syndrome

Locations

  • Primary

    2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW

    Suite 500

    Washington, District of Columbia 20006, US

    Get directions

Employees at The Arc of the United States

Updates

  • Finding reliable special education information takes time that not everyone has. That's why The Arc@School partnered with Understood.org to launch a new AI Advisor, a free tool that delivers expert-vetted answers to your special education questions. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your child's IEP or a professional working in special education advocacy, this resource was built with you in mind. Try it free: https://bit.ly/4dCscF6

    • An orange-to-yellow gradient background. Large white text reads, “1 in 5.” Black text below says, “children in the U.S. have learning and thinking differences.” Smaller text says, “You deserve education information you can trust.” A purple button reads, “Try The Arc@School’s AI Advisor.” Small text at the bottom says, “Source: Understood.org.”
  • September 11 is a nationwide call for Americans to volunteer in their local communities to honor those lost in the 9/11 attacks, recognize the bravery of first responders, and give back to through service. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this year, The Arc is proud to partner with 9/11 Day to help organizations create volunteer opportunities that are accessible and welcoming to people of all abilities. Our free Accessibility Toolkit includes practical guidance for inclusive volunteer planning, accessible communications, social media accessibility, physical accommodations, and more. Because service should include everyone. Download the toolkit: https://bit.ly/4tyTgKh

    • A diverse group of six people, with and without disabilities, are posing together in a kitchen, smiling warmly.
  • 14 million people with disabilities rely on SNAP to afford food every day. But after the biggest SNAP cut in history last year, nearly 3 million people lost benefits. Now, even more people could lose access to the food they need, while grocery prices continue to rise. People with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, and working families should not have to worry about going hungry. Food is not optional. It’s dignity, stability, and survival. Congress must act to protect and strengthen SNAP. Send a message to Congress today and tell them: No one should go hungry. https://bit.ly/4dMYRqD #WeActWednesday

    • A bold yellow background with line drawings of vegetables highlights a white text box. Inside, it reads: “I’m a single mother taking care of my son, who has disabilities. Even with my part-time job, we barely make it through each month. We count on these food stamps to survive. Please don’t make us go without food.” —Mom from Missouri.
  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it’s important to talk about how trauma can affect people with disabilities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely to experience trauma, abuse, bullying, neglect, loneliness, and depression than people without disabilities. In fact, 40% of people with IDD also experience mental health concerns. This trauma is not always recognized. Sometimes the ways people cope, communicate, or respond to stress are misunderstood as “bad behavior” instead of signs that someone may need support and understanding. When we look at behavior through a trauma-informed lens, we can build better communication, stronger relationships, and safer, more supportive communities for people with disabilities. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

  • When we talk about digital accessibility, most people think about things like captions, alt text, or screen readers. And those matter. But accessibility doesn’t stop at access. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, being able to get content and being able to understand and use it is just as important. That’s where cognitive accessibility comes in. Swipe through the graphics to learn more about what it is and why it matters. Because accessibility isn’t just about access. It’s about making sure people can fully participate. And when we get that right, it makes the digital world better for all of us. #GAAD #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay

    • Illustration of a smartphone with the word "hello" in yellow on the screen, set against a purple background. Text above reads "Accessible doesn’t always mean usable." Below the phone, text says "Why that matters for people with disabilities," with three arrows pointing right.
    • A person with disabilities wearing a navy blue sports jersey is seated at a table, closely interacting with a smartphone. Above, text reads: "Technology helps us connect, learn, and take part in everyday life. But not everyone experiences it the same way."
    • Purple graphic with white text that reads: “There’s a gap between what we call ‘accessible’ and what works for everyone. Most accessibility we think of focuses on whether people can access content. But people with disabilities also need to understand and use that content.” On the right, a young man in a power wheelchair wears a gray suit, red shirt, glasses, and colorful shoes while using a mounted communication device.
    • Two people sit together, focused on a smartphone. The background is purple with text that reads, "Traditional accessibility often covers: Screen readers, alt text, color contrast, Captions and transcripts, Keyboard access, buttons."
    • A hand touches a tablet screen displaying a heart icon, set against a purple background. Text reads: "Digital accessibility matters. But there’s still a gap between access and understanding. Closing that gap is how we create real inclusion online." The last sentence is highlighted in yellow.
  • If your work right now feels like a constant balance of policy changes, staffing challenges, and rising expectations, you’re not alone. That’s why you should join us for the Summer Leadership Institute, July 14-16, near Palm Springs, California. This year’s agenda is built for what you’re navigating right now, with sessions on Medicaid, advocacy strategies, AI and innovation, and how to keep your team strong without burning out. Register now: https://bit.ly/4tnzzoG

    • A man in a blue suit and yellow shirt speaks animatedly to an audience. He wears glasses and a microphone is clipped to his shirt. In the background, people seated at tables listen attentively.
  • For Ruth, and for many families with a student with disabilities, getting the right help, the right placement, or the right services can take years of persistence. It should not depend on how hard a parent or care giver fights for the student's rights or how much they know about the system. Too many are still forced to fight for what should already be guaranteed: an education that helps them learn, grow, and thrive. Every student deserves that opportunity.

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