The Arc of the United States is the world's largest grassroots organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization was originally founded in the 1950s by parents of individuals with developmental disabilities.[1] Since that time, the organization has established state chapters in 39 states, with 730 local chapters in states across the country.[2] The Arc of the United States is based in Washington D.C.
The mission of The Arc: "The Arc 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."[3]
The organization was originally called the Association of Retarded Children, but it has since expanded its function and subsequently changed its name.[4]
Contents |
The Arc was founded in 1950 by a small group of parents and other concerned individuals.[5] At that time, little was known about the condition of intellectual disabilities or its causes, and there were virtually no programs and activities in communities to assist in the development and care of children and adults with developmental disabilities and to help support families.
In the early days the association worked to change the public's perception of children with mental retardation and to educate parents and others regarding the potential of people with mental retardation. The Arc also worked to procure services for children and adults who were denied day care, preschool, education and work programs.
It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Local chapters of The Arc come in every shape, form and size – from small voluntary groups to large and sophisticated multi-million dollar organizations. To maintain a strong and cohesive movement, The Arc's network of chapters share common core values.[6]
List of Chapters
The Arc of the United States is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which operates on a budget of approximately $2,000,000, according to Guidestar.org.[7] According to financial statements submitted to the IRS, the organization's major sources of income are charitable donations; dues for membership in local and state chapters; and government grants, contracts, and fees.[8]
Since its inception, The Arc of the United States - and its state and local chapters - have been involved with a number of controversial issues.
In the summer of 2008, The Arc was highly critical of the movie Tropic Thunder, in which Ben Stiller portrays "Simple Jack", a man with an intellectual disability. The Arc called the portrayal "offensive", and also objected to the use of the words "retard", "moron", and "imbecile" throughout the movie. The Arc was among a group of disability organizations, including the Special Olympics,and the National Down Syndrome Congress which called for a boycott of the film.[9] Spokespeople for Tropic Thunder, along with Ben Stiller, argued that critics like The Arc did not understand that the movie was intended to make fun of actors and the movie industry, not individuals with disabilities, describing the movie as "an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses and makes it point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations"[9] However, The Arc continued to criticize the film as containing "hate speech", promoting offensive stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities, and being offensive to people with disabilities and their families. The Arc of the United States called for all of its chapters across the nation to picket and protest against the film, launched educational campaigns, and wrote open letters to Ben Stiller and the film's creators explaining their criticisms and calling for Stiller to meet with disability advocates to engage in "honest and open dialogue about the offense this film perpetrates."[10]