Our Mission

The Arc of 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.

Core

Values

Human Dignity

People with DD have human dignity. The lives of people with DD have value.

Core

Values

Personhood

People with DD have varying strengths, abilities, and interests. Each person is unique.

Choice

People with DD can make decisions about their lives. People with DD should be supported to do so as requested or needed.

Rights

People with DD have human and civil rights, which must be protected.

people-love-together-ico

Community

People with DD are part of and contribute to the fabric of society. Everyone benefits when people with DD are present and participate.

Support

People with DD have differing support needs. Society must support people with DD to achieve their full potential. Society should also help families who provide support for loved ones with DD.

Equity

Society must remove barriers and correct injustices that limit opportunities for people with DD. Extra action is needed to help people with DD and their families, who face other forms of bias or discrimination.

Diversity

Human diversity is beautiful and powerful. We celebrate, honor, and seek to understand the differences in our identities and life experiences.

Guiding Principles

  • Advocacy First

    The Arc of Virginia is a disability rights organization. We work with and for people with DD, their families, and our communities to achieve change. We use the power of advocacy to improve the lives of people with DD.

  • Stronger Together

    The Arc of Virginia unites our chapters to advance the human rights and wellbeing of people with DD and their families. The success of our advocacy depends on the strength of the chapter network. We are stronger together.

  • Quality and Excellence

    The Arc of Virginia provides programs and services that people with DD and their families want and depend upon in their daily lives. We strive for quality and excellence in all we do.

  • Shared Leadership

    The Arc of Virginia actively engages people with DD and their family members in leading and guiding our work. These voices are the most important. The strong partnership between volunteers, experts, and the people we serve is critical to our mission.

  • Transparency, Integrity and Excellence

    The Arc of Virginia conducts its business with integrity, accountability, and open, honest, and timely communication. The Arc of Virginia is committed to quality and excellence in all it does.

  • Consensus

    The Arc of Virginia leads by building consensus around a clear vision for the future of people with DD. We unite and mobilize people behind goals and strategies that will make that vision a reality.

  • For All People With DD

    The Arc of Virginia works with and for ALL people with DD. While our work also helps all people with disabilities, our priority is people with DD and their families.

  • Partnership

    The Arc of Virginia works in coalition with other disability, civil rights, and human services groups. We value joint effort and step up to provide leadership when needed.

  • Open and Accountable

    The Arc of Virginia is accountable to people with DD, their families, donors, and the public. We are committed to honesty and transparency.

  • Identity and Language

    The Arc of Virginia respects the rights of people with DD to decide if or when to self-identify and the language they use when doing so.