1004 Main Street
Little Rock, AR 72206
501-375-7770 or 1-800-433-5255
Mission Statement: 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.
Overview: The Arc works to protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families on the federal level through advocacy at the state and local levels. The Arc also provides the following services through its 700 state chapters across the nation:
- Self-advocacy initiatives
- Information and referral services
- Family support, including respite care
- Leisure and recreational programs
- Residential support, including supported living and transportation
- Employment programs, including supported employment and job training
- Individual advocacy to address education, employment, health care and other concerns
- Planning for the transition from high school to post-secondary education, employment, or independent living
Additional services available at some chapters include case management, medical and dental care, and therapeutic services such as occupational and physical therapy, behavior management, and speech therapy. The Arc’s Arkansas chapter is located in Little Rock.
The Arc also implements the following national programs:
- Autism NOW, The National Autism Resource and Information Center: Provides access to resources and information for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
- School to Community Transition Initiative: Promotes transition programs including employment, post-secondary education opportunities, and independent community living.
- Self-Advocates with FASD in Action: The SAFA Network provides outreach to individuals with FASD through conference calls, meetings at annual Building FASD State Systems conferences, and exhibits at regional or national conferences throughout the country.
- eXplore eRecycling Initiative: Helps develop and enhance electronic waste management programs that offer inclusive, community-based employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Down Syndrome Grant Program: The Arc received two restricted gifts dedicating more than $3 million for the care, education, and support of people with Down syndrome in New Mexico; a smaller fund is dedicated to Down syndrome research.
- HealthMeet: Deploys free community-based health screenings and individualized referrals for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD); provides training and education to individuals, their families, direct service professionals, medical providers, and medical students; and raises public awareness of health issues that impact people with I/DD across the country.
Age Groups Served: ALL ages
Diagnoses Served: Autism, Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder; Developmental delay; Intellectual delay or disability; Down Syndrome; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Shaken baby syndrome/Abusive head trauma
Geographic Areas Served: ALL counties in Arkansas. Entire country.