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Equality and Dignity for All

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of Northern Virginia.

WE FIGHT EVERY DAY

so no person with an intellectual or developmental disability
gets left behind.

A large group of advocates and self-advocates pose at the entrance to the Virginia capital building in Richmond.

We are a small, grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a local volunteer board of directors.

advocates meet with a state senator in his legislative office

Each chapter of The Arc has different specialties & services.

The Arc of Northern Virginia is a local chapter of the largest non-profit organization supporting thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and their families.

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A young Asian boy is helped off a school bus by his grandmother.

At every age and every stage…

The Arc of Northern Virginia serves people of all ages who have a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. At every stage of life, we’re there to support individuals and families at home, in school and in the workplace. We’ll help meet basic needs, achieve life goals, form meaningful relationships, and realize full inclusion in the community.

Serving our communities

How We Help

A young african american couple sits on the couch with their toddler son on mom's lap, pointing to a laptop screen that sits on dad's lap
photo of an upper middle aged man and woman, sitting at a table looking at a laptop computer screen
A young white man in a wheelchair laughs as he interacts with an older white woman serving as his support coordinator
Young man wearing glasses and a short sleeve casual shirt stands at a lecturn and testifies at a budget hearing.
photo of mom embracing her son, while dad looks on proudly
close up photo of a black man wearing jeans and a white sweater, he holds a smartphone in his left hand, and an iPad in his righ hand. the iPad shows the Arc 2 independence app on the screen.

Serving our communities

How We Help

Transition POINTS (Providing Opportunities, Information, Networking and Transition Support) affords people with disabilities, parents, siblings and other caregivers the information they need to make decisions at key points across the lifespan. It includes guidebooks, resource materials, webinars, and workshops on the topics of early intervention, education, transition, employment, housing, and aging with a disability.

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When people with disabilities and their families have questions, we are happy to help them locate services, navigate challenging situations, and share helpful tips. Our online Ask the Arc portal will give you an automated reply with helpful information and a member of our expert staff team will personally follow up to help you find what you need. You can attend a free workshop or webinar, visit our Resource Library to find handouts and resource guides, or visit our YouTube channel to watch recorded webinars.

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We track legislation that affects the disability community, provide comments and testimony, and represent the needs of people with DD on workgroups and commissions to protect your rights and funding.  Annually we organize a large group of concerned advocates to go to Richmond for a statewide DD Advocacy Day with members of our General Assembly.

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Our self-advocacy program is People First, and it works in conjunction with a chapter of Toastmasters, a public speaking club. Transition-age advocates can join us at People First for Young Adults. We welcome self-advocates of all abilities to join us at one of these monthly meetings to meet friends, become informed on advocacy needs, and improve their public speaking skills.

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Our Special Needs Trust exists to assist people with disabilities and their families in saving money for the future without losing public benefits, like Medicaid and Social Security that have strict asset caps. The funds invested in the trust will be used to provide security, support, services, and medical care or other supplemental needs not covered by benefits or insurance. This opportunity is available to anyone determined to have a disability by Social Security.

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Our award-winning Tech for Independent Living program develops and promotes customizable lesson plans on our newly-developed app Arc2Independence. These tools and related training events help promote independence in the community.

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Testimonials

Expressions of gratitude from those we’ve helped
head and shoulders photo of Nick Baldiva, wearing a red checkered dress shirt
team photo of the O'Brien family at the 2023 Team Challenge
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“Every time I run out of options for solving a need for my adult intellectually-disabled son, The Arc of Northern Virginia has provided a pathway for help. Without this organization, our lives would be much more difficult.”

Esther Baldiva

Mother of Nick Baldiva

“The Arc of Northern Virginia is a friend and a defender, not only for my daughter but for all those challenged with Intellectual Disability. The staff does a tremendous job, and it is just amazing to witness all the progress which has been made under their leadership. For sure I am a big fan. ”

Ed O’Brien

Father of Shana

“I highly recommend The Arc of Northern Virginia for their exceptional advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

The Carlucci Family

Parents of Phillip

Family photo of grandma and grandpa, mom, and two daughters posed together on a blanket on the beach. A bouquet of balloons sits next to the family.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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In northern Virginia, more than 39,000 individuals of all ages have some form of IDD
A blonde woman wearing glasses sits behind a desk, and shows a piece of paper to another woman who sits with her back to the viewer.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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The Arc of Northern Virginia fields over 2,000 Information & Referral requests annually
photo of a conference room full of people attending a workshop, with a table of panelists at the front of the room

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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We provide more than 70 educational workshops and webinars each year on a wide range of lifespan topics
photo of a black father, wearing a green polo shirt, sitting at a table holding a piece of notebook paper. He is talking to his adolescent son, who holding a pencil in his right hand, while his left hand rests on another piece of paper on the table.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

0.0k
More than 2,100 families have established a Special Needs Trust with The Arc of Northern Virginia

Recognizing our Benefit Breakfast Featured Sponsors

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