Washington, D.C. – During this time of unprecedented challenges for special education students, The Arc is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $200,000 grant from Comcast NBCUniversal focused on helping more students of color access greater resources to help them thrive.

The funding will allow The Arc@School to expand support of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through advocacy resources. These resources are meant to serve those who might not otherwise be reached during this critical time and to ensure that students receive the benefits of public education in the least restrictive setting possible, as mandated by federal and state law.

The Arc@School supports students with IDD (and other disabilities) and their families to successfully navigate the special education system and get the supports and services they need to thrive in school. The program also supports educators to better understand and fulfill their responsibilities toward students and families in the special education system.

“The Arc is committed to equal access to education for all students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to increase opportunity throughout their lifetimes. We are grateful for Comcast NBCUniversal’s support of our education advocacy, particularly as the pandemic has created so much upheaval in education. Now more than ever, families need help to understand their rights in the classroom – whether that classroom is in person or virtual. We could not do it without this generous support,” said Peter Berns, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc.

“Students of color with disabilities are traditionally overlooked when seeking the right special education for themselves, and we are working closely with The Arc to provide families with much-needed access,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation. “We believe creating tools for families to advocate for special education services is such an important step toward a more equitable future.”

The grant gives The Arc@School resources to:

• Recruit 250 families nationwide to receive scholarships to access The Arc@School’s special education advocacy curriculum at no cost this year. We will award scholarships to families of color and low-income families.
• Create special education “Know Your Rights” resources in Spanish, available on a new Spanish section of The Arc@School’s website.
• Develop a facilitation guide that chapters of The Arc and other parent training organizations can use with The Arc@School’s Advocacy Curriculum. The guide will support working groups and study groups for students, families, and professionals.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses:  Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky.  Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand.  NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts.  Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services.  It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services.  Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights.  Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.