About Us

Mission and Values

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.

Core Values

People First

The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disability.

Equity

The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety, and security accorded to other members of society, and are equal before the law.

Community

The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.

Self-determination

The Arc believes in self-determination and self-advocacy. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.

Diversity

The Arc believes that society in general and The Arc in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability)

Our Name

• 1953 - 1973: National Association for Retarded Children (NARC)
• 1973 - 1981: National Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC)
• 1981 - 1992: Association for Retarded Citizens of the United States (ARC)
• 1992 - Present: The Arc of the United States (The Arc)

History

The Arc has a rich history spanning 60 years marked by accomplishment. We continue to carry out the mission and vision of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their parents and siblings.

In 1950, a small group of parents and other concerned individuals came together to act as voices for change. At the time, little was known about the condition of intellectual disabilities (at the time 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 or to support families.

It was common at that time for doctors to tell parents that the best place for their child was in an institution. Emboldened by their collective desire to raise their children in the home and their stubborn refusal to accept that institutionalization was the only option, The Arc’s founders fought even harder.

Like every all parents, they wanted more for their children. They wanted their children to lead fulfilling lives out in the community, not shuttered away in dark institutions. It was in that spirit that The Arc was born.

The early days

At the outset, the organization was committed to altering perceptions of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to educate parents and others regarding the potential of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.The Arc also worked to procure services for children and adults who were denied an education, the right to attend day care and preschools, and the right to work.

Growing with the times

Over the last 60 years, The Arc has grown and adapted to the changes that people with disabilities face during their life span. Through the decades, The Arc has seen several name changes, advocated for the passage of state and federal legislation on behalf of people with disabilities and established a broad network of state and local chapters that range from small voluntary groups to large, professional organizations.

How to contact us

The Arc

12700 Hillcrest, Suite 200

Dallas, TX 75230

Phone: 214-634-9810

Fax: 214-634-9815

The Arc administrative offices for Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties are located in the One Hillcrest Green building. The building is one block south of I-635 on Hillcrest Road on the southeast corner of Hillcrest Road and Hillcrest Plaza. Please enter the north door by the flag pole and take the elevator to the left to the second floor. Proceed left through the glass door to Suite #200.

The Arc’s Position Statements

The Arc’s position statements address critical issues related to human and civil rights, treatment, and services and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Position statements are used to advance The Arc’s public policy goals, as well as provide a platform for our state and local chapters to gain a national perspective of The Arc. They also serve to inform our constituency, stakeholders and the general public on the prevailing organizational view on key issues. To read The Arc’s position statements,