About Us
The Arc of Northern Virginia
Founded in 1962, The Arc of Northern Virginia represents and serves more than 39,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with direct service programs, education, and advocacy. For more than six decades, The Arc of Northern Virginia has recognized the continuity of needs across the life span of people with IDD, and the changing supports needed by the families who support them.
The Arc of Northern Virginia believes that people with IDD – such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a number of rare chromosomal disorders – are a vital part of the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.
Our Mission:
The Arc of Northern Virginia 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.
The Arc of Northern Virginia is a local chapter of the largest national non-profit organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
Our service area includes the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church; and Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia. We are a small, grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a local volunteer board of directors. We receive some funding for the direct services we provide, but we are largely supported by membership dues and donations.