Education

Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia: The Revision Process
The Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, effective March 27, 2002, (the Virginia Regulations), must be revised to comply with the changes outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA '04), and its federal implementing regulations. This page will be updated periodically to provide critical information as the revision process moves forward. More

Also, please download and read the following resources:

• The Arc of Virginia's action alert page
• Sample letter to your Senator or Delegate (pdf)
• Draft Special Education Regulations Revision Process letter (pdf)
• "How to write public comment" (pdf)
• Side by side comparison of VDOE regulations (pdf)

The Arc strives to educate and enlighten the community through the following ways:

Information and Referral
The Arc helps families and professionals by providing information about a variety of community resources including physicians, residential providers, vocational providers, respite, and education services. You can access our information and referral by clicking on Info/Referral or by calling The Arc at 703-532-3214.

Workshops
The Arc frequently offers workshops on topics such as estate planning, Medicaid Waivers and adaptive communication. In addition, staff members of The Arc frequently present workshops at local conferences and partner with other agencies to present information to the community.

Community Education Programs
Remember the old adage, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance?" The myths and stereotypes that run rampant in our communities about people with disabilities are at the root of the discrimination, segregation and isolation people with developmental disabilities experience in our communities. One of the most effective methods to break down barriers for people with disabilities at school, work, and in the community is to meet these individuals and through carefully planned activities, experience firsthand how we are more alike than different. As one self-advocate explained, "I have the same dreams you do - I just have to reach them my own way."

The Arc of Northern Virginia's Community Education Programs seek to dispel common misconceptions about people with developmental disabilities. The Arc operates a smorgasbord of different educational programs geared to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. We customize each program to meet the unique needs of audience.

The Arc Newsletter
The Arc of Northern Virginia publishes a quarterly newsletter that is full of information about current happenings in our community. The newsletter is a vehicle for informing families about advocacy actions, program offerings and social gatherings for The Arc family.