Arc of the United States

Public policy: The Arc of The United States (The Arc) advocated to promote and protect The civil rights and human rights of people with idd and for funding and support for The programs, services and supports that enable them to be fully included in all aspects of community life. The Arc monitored developments in federal public policy, including legislation, regulations, administrative actions, litigation and judicial decisions, of importance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (idd) and their families. The Arc regularly informed chapter leaders, government officials, The media, leaders of other nonprofits and other interested parties of developments in The field through an email newsletter, periodic special reports and alerts and content posted to The Arc's website and social media. Educational and advocacy activities cut across a broad range of topics, such as health care, education, employment, civil rights, criminal justice, housing, and more. The Arc also regularly educated and informed elected and appointed government officials about The needs, interests and concerns of people with idd and their families and about The likely impact of policy proposals. Input was provided to congress, The administration, government agencies and officials through written correspondence, oral and written testimony and face-to-face and virtual meetings. The Arc also participated in, and provided leadership for, a number of formal and informal coalitions and collaborations involved in related efforts.

Public education: The Arc of The United States (The Arc) educated people with disabilities, their parents and other family members, The media and members of The public about The needs, interests, issues and concerns of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (idd) and their families. The Arc's public education efforts covered a broad range of subject areas, such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, criminal justice, covid-19 vaccine awareness and volunteerism and community service.the Arc's print and enewsletter, empower, was distributed throughout The year to members of The association as well to other interested individuals. The Arc's websites provide members of The public access to a broad range of information and a variety of free publications providing practical advice about The inclusion of people with idd in all aspects of community life. Social media sites help spread The information to a broader audience. The Arc also monitors local and national media coverage about people with idd, and developments reported by state and local chapters, and informs website users about current events affecting people with idd and their family. The Arc's catalyst awards program recognizes individuals, companies and organizations that are having an impact in supporting people with idd to be fully included in their communities.the Arc responded to hundreds of written, phone, and e-mail inquiries from individuals and organizations, providing information and resources on a variety of topics related to idd. Information was needed by many families on: aging and disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, future planning, housing and residential facilities, rare disorders, education issues, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and legal and criminal justice issues.

Chapter leadership and development: The Arc of The United States (The Arc) supported a network of nearly 600 affiliated state and local chapters that advocated on behalf of, and provided services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (idd) and their families. The Arc promoted best practices in access, equity, and inclusion through a series of chapter webinars and promoted best practices in programs, services and supports for people with idd. The Arc kept chapters informed of critical information and developments in The field, including in subject areas such as early intervention, integrated education, transition, supported employment, supported and independent living, health care, decision-making supports, financial planning and recreation and community service. Support was provided to board members, executive directors and other volunteers and staff of The affiliated chapters through a bi-weekly email newsletter (fusion), periodic video conferences for chapter leaders, periodic webinars, an annual leadership institute, a national convention, written educational materials, email discussion groups, extensive content available online, and one-to-one technical assistance via telephone and email. Programming was conducted using virtual meeting technology due to The covid-19 pandemic.the Arc provided technical assistance and support to individuals with disabilities, their family members and friends to organize new chapters of The Arc, and to strengthen and stabilize existing chapters, so that they may effectively advocate on behalf of and serve their constituents at The state and local level. The Arc also promoted information sharing and exchange of ideas among and between all of our chapters.

Program innovationthe Arc of The United States (The Arc) is constantly striving to improve The quality of life for people with idd and their families, including by promoting The development of best practices in programs, services and supports for people with idd. The Arc's special projects advance The field of programs, services and supports for people with idd and their families as follows: The arc@work program supported people with idd who are unemployed to find and retain jobs with private, government and nonprofit sector employers and educated and supported employers to increase hiring of people with disabilities. The national center on criminal justice and disability worked to educate law enforcement, court and corrections personnel to accommodate The needs of people with idd in The criminal justice system. The wings for autism/wings for all project, which provides an airport travel simulation for children with an autism spectrum disorder or other disabilities and their families, is beginning to gain momentum since covid-19. The center for future planning provided an online resource center to assist adults with idd and their families to plan for their future needs, and to provide resources for chapters of The Arc to support them. The Arc's tech programs provide online resources to assist people with idd and their families to access The latest technology to support their living in The community. The inclusive volunteerism project engaged people with idd in volunteerism and community service at sites across The nation. The arc@school program provides resources and information to families to support students with idd to obtain The services they need to be successful in school. Various of these program activities continued to be produced in online formats due to The covid-19 pandemic.