Powered By Google Translate
The Arc
Donate
MENUMENU
  • POLICY & ADVOCACY
        • Policy & Advocacy

        • JOIN The Arc
        • TAKE ACTION
        • Civil Rights
        • Direct Support Professionals
        • Education
        • Employment, Training, & Wages
        • Health Care
        • Housing
        • Long Term Supports & Services
        • Medicaid
          • The Fight for Disability Care and Services
        • Paid Family & Medical Leave
        • Social Security & Income Maintenance
        • Grassroots Advocacy
        • Public Policy Goals
        • Legal Advocacy
  • OUR INITIATIVES
        • Our Initiatives

        • JOIN The Arc
        • TAKE ACTION
        • Criminal Justice
          • Pathways to Justice
          • Talk About Sexual Violence
          • Request Assistance
          • General Referral Information
        • Education
        • Employment
          • Employment Services
          • Success Stories
          • TalentScout
          • Contact
        • Environmental Research Initiative
        • Future Planning
        • Health
        • Technology
          • Digital Literacy
        • Travel
        • Volunteering
  • GET INVOLVED
        • Get Involved

        • JOIN The Arc
        • TAKE ACTION
        • Become a Member
        • Become a Chapter
        • Become a Sponsor
        • Self-Advocacy
        • Siblings
        • Alumni Council
        • Ways to Give
  • GET RESOURCES
        • Get Resources

        • JOIN The Arc
        • TAKE ACTION
        • Resource Directory
        • Tech Toolbox™
        • Webinars
        • Virtual Program Library
  • ABOUT US
        • About Us

        • JOIN The Arc
        • TAKE ACTION
        • Our Mission & Values
        • Our History
        • Strategic Framework
        • Position Statements
        • Our Stories
        • Press Center
        • The Arc Staff
        • Financials & Reporting
        • Supporters
        • Working at The Arc
        • Events
        • Contact Us
        • Chapter PortalFind a ChapterJoinBlogStore
  • Menu Menu
Chapter PortalFind a ChapterJoinBlogStoreDONATESearch

Get To Know Us!

SHARE

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are good friends and neighbors. We are in every community. We are a part of our families, our schools, our businesses, our houses of worship.

We have dreams, just like you. Some of us are great students and can’t wait to graduate from college. Some of us are eager for a good job. We like all kinds of music and hate when our favorite team loses. We worry about our future, our health, and whether our favorite show will get canceled. We can’t wait to move out on our own, fall in love, and get married. We have things that make us unique, and things we have in common— just like everyone else—and with the right help almost anything is possible.

Read on to learn more about people with IDD.

Sign the Pledge

I pledge to recognize people with IDD as good friends, coworkers, and valued members of the community. I will get to know them, include them, and support them to achieve their goals.

Thank you for submitting the form!



You agree to receive email from The Arc and our affiliated chapters. You may opt out at any time. See our privacy policy.

Meeting us is easy. Say Hi!

People with IDD make great employees. Say Yes!

We want to feel valued, fall in love, and achieve our dreams. It’s Possible!

We Have Great Stories To Tell

Follow a manual added link
 Susan loves dogs and wants a place of her own where she can direct her own life
A close up of a woman with short brown hair wearing glasses and a pink shirt with a park in the background.
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 What Dominick wants others to know about being a multiply disabled, trans dad
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 Kevin is proud of his family, his degrees, and working three jobs to earn his own money
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 Yusuf is 10 years old. He has autism and big dreams for his future!
A young boy of color smiles, seated at a table with a birthday cake in front of him.
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 Russell is an autistic poet using art to spread awareness and acceptance
Doctor with stethoscope screening smiling young girl with disability
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 Nathaniel had to advocate fiercely for himself and now teaches others how to do the same
A graduate stands in front of a tree on a sandy spot with boulders around him. He is wearing a cap and gown, holding a diploma, and smiling.
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 Despite obstacles, Carlos is determined to pursue his dreams
A Hispanic man stands in a black graduation cap and gown, smiling and holding a diploma. He is wearing a multi-colored stole over his gown.
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 From friendship to lifelong love: Scott and Lauren’s journey
A couple on their wedding day. They are posed in front of a grassy area with trees around them and are wearing a wedding dress and suit. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers.
Learn More >
Follow a manual added link
 A chance encounter in a parking lot led to a thriving career for Amy
A white woman with blonde hair to her shoulders stands in front of a desk cubicle. She is smiling and wearing a white t shirt.
Learn More >

Learn More About the Challenges We Face

Follow a manual added link
A close up image of a man's face. In the background is a grass hill and trees.

While in his 20s, Steve was forced into a nursing home for the elderly while he waited for home-based care

Follow a manual added link
A woman wearing a black blouse stands next to a young man wearing a blue buttong up polo shirt. She has her arm on his sholder. They are standing in front of framed painting.

Amparo and Jesus face barriers to accessing the help they need

Follow a manual added link
A man with a white beard and wearing all black stands next to a woman in a wheelchair wearing a white stocking hat and wearing all black clothing. They are both have yellow scarves around their necks.

People like Jen and Eddie are often forced to choose between marriage and vital disability benefits

Follow a manual added link
A close up of a man with short black hair and facial hair smiling at the camera.

Disability is not a crime, but Neli faced a decade of unjust persecution

Want To Do More To Support People With IDD?

The Arc was founded by families who wanted more for their children than a life languishing in an isolating, restrictive state-run institution. Through the years, The Arc has fought for state and federal policies that give people with IDD the opportunity to live fulfilling lives in their communities. Our network of nearly 600 chapters delivers local services that help families and people with IDD address day-to-day challenges. But we can’t do this without your support.

GET INVOLVED
ADVOCATE
DONATE
FIND A CHAPTER NEAR YOU

Join The Arc >

Donate >

Take Action >

  • Join The Arc >
    Donate >
    Take Action >
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Our History
    • Position Statements
    • The Arc Staff
    • Press Center
    • Financials & Reporting
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • Working at The Arc

    CONNECT

    • Contact Us
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
    • Locate a Chapter

    Policy & Advocacy

    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Civil Rights
    • Direct Support Professionals
    • Education
    • Employment, Training, & Wages
    • Grassroots Advocacy
    • Health Care
    • Housing
    • Legal Advocacy
    • Long Term Supports & Services
    • Medicaid
    • Public Policy Goals
    • Paid Family & Medical Leave
    • Social Security & Income Maintenance

    Our Initiatives

    • OUR INITIATIVES
    • Criminal Justice
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Future Planning
    • Health
    • Volunteering
    • Technology
    • Travel
    • Get Involved
    • Get Resources
    • Take Action
    • National Conference of Executives
    • Chapter Portal
    • Find a Chapter
    • Blog
    • Store
    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Get Resources
    • Take Action
    • National Conference of Executives
    • Chapter Portal
    • Find a Chapter
    • Blog
    • Store
    • Contact Us

    Sign Up for Email Updates


    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.
    Copyright © 2025 by The Arc, a 501(c)(3) organization|Terms of Service|Privacy Policy|Accessibility Statement
    2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20006 | (800) 433-5255
    The Arc and The Arc’s chapters are each separate and distinct 501(C)(3) organizations, each with their own staff and board of directors. The Arc does not have any authority or oversight over chapter activities or any involvement in the daily operations of chapters. The information about chapter providers and services contained on this website does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by The Arc. It is your responsibility to verify and investigate providers and services. The Arc assumes no liability of any kind for the content of any information transmitted to or received by any person in connection with the person’s use of the website. References on this website to any specific products, process, information, service, or organization do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by The Arc.
    Scroll to top

    Your Vote has Power

    Will you pledge to vote this November?