Get Started

Our umbrella program is called Transition POINTS (Providing Opportunities, Information, Networking and Transition Support).

Transition POINTS provides people with disabilities, parents, siblings and other caregivers with 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.

We answer your questions.

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 come to a free workshop or on a webinar to learn about a range of topics from field experts. You can also visit our Resource Library anytime to find handouts and resource guides on a range of topics, or to request that new resources be developed. Our YouTube channel is filled with recorded webinars to help you hear and see answers to your most difficult questions.

We assist you in securing a financial future for your loved ones.

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. Our Special Needs Trust Team includes an Client Advocate who can help you create a future plan and to access needed services.

We develop technology-based tools to help people live independently.

Our award-winning Tech for Independent Living program develops and promotes customizable web-based tools that promote independence in the community.

• TravelMate is a virtual travel trainer that helps people navigate transportation systems.
• EmployMate is a virtual job coach that can assist in on-the-job tasks and skill building.

We advocate on your behalf.

We track legislation and budget changes that will affect 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. We work closely with legislators and county officials on crafting policies and programs that meet the needs of the disability community. 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. Occasionally we are called upon by our national organization to support advocacy efforts in Congress.

We help you become skilled self-advocates.

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.

Become a Member

Become part of the largest grassroots movement to promote and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and you are part of a local, state and national network of individuals, families, advocates and professionals.

Make a Donation

Your contributions, through gifts, vehicle donations, planned giving, and other methods of support provide the annual funding that help us fulfill our vital mission.

Get Involved

Help us Advocate – Add your voice to The Arc of Northern Virginia to share concerns about public policy advocacy and systems change at the state and local levels that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Connect With Us

Our twice-monthly E-newsletter is filled with information and resources for people with disabilities. Additionally, we send a monthly Advocacy Update and a monthly Trust Services newsletter. Our Facebook page is updated daily with news and information worth sharing. Sign up for our email to stay updated on our work and learn about unique services and opportunities for people with disabilities.