The Arc of DC: What We Do
For over 65 years, The Arc of DC has offered a variety of programs and support for people in the DC area who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Arc of DC promotes and protects the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community. We are the only community-based non-profit working for people with I/DD throughout their lifetimes and across all diagnoses – from autism to Down syndrome to Fragile X and more than 100 other developmental disabilities.
We promote the best quality of life through legislation, support, education, empowerment and self-determination.
We offer:
Supported employment
This program is a wonderful and very successful initiative where an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities is welcomed into a neighborhood business, trained by us in how to carry out the specific tasks required in the workplace, and monitored by us to ensure satisfaction for the individual as well as the employer.
Advocacy
The Arc of DC is a strong advocate for those with developmental disabilities, and we speak weekly in the public forum. We encourage all those involved with our programs to “spread the word” to increase awareness of issues affecting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Education
The Arc of the District of Columbia is pleased to partner with the District of Columbia Public Schools Transition Program where we assist school administrators and teachers to support students to:
- increase their knowledge and use of community resources
- practice lessons learned in the classroom within their community
- enhance their self-determination skills
- consider career paths and future employment opportunities
- organize their experiences and discoveries in to student portfolios
In addition to coordinating community-based instructional opportunities, The Arc of the District of Columbia also assists students to obtain volunteer and paid employment positions and delivers professional development workshops to schools personnel. The Arc of the District of Columbia is currently working with students and teachers at:
- Anacostia High School
- Ballou High School
- Benjamin Banneker High School
- Cardozo Education Campus
- Eastern High School
- Mamie D. Lee School
- Woodrow Wilson High School