Our Mission
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Our Core Values
Human Dignity
People with IDD have human dignity. The lives of people with IDD have value.
Personhood
People with IDD have varying strengths, abilities, and interests. Each person is unique.
Choice
People with IDD can make decisions about their lives. People with IDD should be supported to do so as requested or needed.
Rights
People with IDD have human and civil rights, which must be protected.
Community
People with IDD are part of and contribute to the fabric of society. Everyone benefits when people with IDD are present and participate.
Support
People with IDD have differing support needs. Society must support people with IDD to achieve their full potential. Society should also help families who provide support for loved ones with IDD.
Equity
Society must remove barriers and correct injustices that limit opportunities for people with IDD. Extra action is needed to help people with IDD and their families, who face other forms of bias or discrimination.
Diversity
Human diversity is beautiful and powerful. We celebrate, honor, and seek to understand the differences in our identities and life experiences.
Approved by chapters of The Arc, 9/28/21.
Guiding Principles
Advocacy First
The Arc is a disability rights organization. We work with and for people with IDD, their families, and our communities to achieve change. We use the power of advocacy to improve the lives of people with IDD.
Stronger Together
The Arc unites our chapters to advance the human rights and wellbeing of people with IDD and their families. The success of our advocacy depends on the strength of the chapter network. We are stronger together.
Quality and Excellence
The Arc provides programs and services that people with IDD and their families want and depend upon in their daily lives. We strive for quality and excellence in all we do.
Shared Leadership
The Arc actively engages people with IDD and their family members in leading and guiding our work. These voices are the most important. The strong partnership between volunteer, experts, and the people we serve is critical to our mission.
Consensus
The Arc leads by building consensus around a clear vision for the future of people with IDD. We unite and mobilize people behind goals and strategies that will make that vision a reality.
For All People With IDD
The Arc works with and for ALL people with IDD. While our work also helps all people with disabilities, our priority is people with IDD and their families.
Partnership
The Arc works in coalition with other disability, civil rights, and human services groups. We value joint effort and step up to provide leadership when needed.
Open and Accountable
The Arc is accountable to people with IDD, their families, donors, and the public. We are committed to honesty and transparency.
Identity and Language
The Arc respects the rights of people with IDD to decide if or when to self-identify and the language they use when doing so.
Approved by chapters of The Arc, 9/28/21.
Discover More
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
