We value deep listening as a means to understanding the needs of each family and individual. Our approach is based on respect for individuals and families, and recognition of their expertise, diversity, unique characteristics, and cultural and spiritual values.
Information & Referral
Information & Referral
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. We believe in the empowerment of families through education, information, and resource sharing.
The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Information and Referral program helps families to navigate the complex and often confusing disability service system.
What Do We Do?
We listen
We recognize the particulary level of knowledge and expertise of each family and individual, and partner with them to identify supports and resources for their unique situation.
We respect
We offer a wide scope of resources and information, in a variety of formats, to educate people with disabilities, parents, and families. Our goal is to help families understand the support systems that help someone with IDD live a meaningful life in their community.
We inform
Ask us anything about the world of developmental disabilities. You’ll get a personal follow-up response from an expert staff member to help you find the answers you need and a point of contact for future follow-up questions.
We answer questions
Beyond answering questions, support for problem solving may include a referral to another community organization. We partner with many other local, state and national organizations, and can connect people with those resources as appropriate.
We make connections
BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE – EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES
We know that good decisions require good data and information. That’s why our website provides more than 200 how-to guides, articles, and tools to help you understand the complexities of disability services and programs. Below you can find articles, fact sheets, training materials, webinars, and videos on key topics.
Resource Library
We’ve curated a ‘one-stop shop’ full of fact sheets, one-pagers, handouts, guidebooks, and FAQ’s. These guides and documents contain a wealth of information, and we are constantly adding new resources to the library. Be sure to bookmark the link so you can easily find the information whenever you need it.
Glossary of Terms
Do you struggle with disability services terminology? You’re not the first, and you’re certainly not alone. The acronyms alone can be confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this glossary. Here you’ll find some key terms that relate to the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community.
NEED MORE HELP? – ASK YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Ask us anything about the world of developmental disabilities, and you’ll get an immediate response with links to some of our most commonly used resources. Then you’ll get a personal follow-up response from an expert staff member to help you find anything you need and give you a point of contact for future questions.
Fill out our Information & Referral Portal form below. Tell us about your specific situation, and what exact information you’re looking for. Our staff closely monitors these requests, and will respond as quickly as possible.
This portal is always the fastest way to reach us and ask a question, so fire away! We aim to reply within a day or two, but due to the nature of our work, it may take longer on rare occasions.
Testimonials
Expressions of gratitude from those who have been helped by our work
Support Us
Your support makes our work possible
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Arc of Northern Virginia relies on private support from individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations to fund our efforts. Your generous donations help make it possible for us to provide programs, services, and advocacy so that people with IDD can live “A Life Like Yours.”
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