History
of The Arc
Nationally, The Arc of the United States was founded
in 1950 by a group of parents and concerned individuals
to promote the welfare of persons with what was then known as mental
retardation and is now referred to as intellectual disability. Before the 1950s, little was known
about intellectual disabilities. There were long waiting
lists for institutional services and an acute
lack of community-based services. Children with
intellectual disabilities were excluded from public schools,
and parents were generally dissatisfied with the
condition of institutions.
Over the last 50 years, The Arc of the United
States has undertaken a variety of programs,
including issuing several publications and public
information campaigns; providing direct services
through local chapters; conducting surveys on
the needs of people with intellectual disabilities;
advocating for improved legislation; sponsoring
training for professionals; and supporting research
projects.
The Arc has been instrumental in:
• Increasing federal support for
services and research on intellectual disabilities
• Gaining Social Security coverage for
adults disabled in childhood
• Securing the right to public education
for all children
• Passage of the "Baby Doe"
amendments to the Child Abuse Act
• Enactment of The Fair Housing Act amendments
which prohibit housing discrimination based
on disability
Today The Arc of the United States has more
than 140,000 members who are affiliated through
1000 state and local chapters. A 24-member national
board of directors and a delegate body of representatives
guide The Arc's work.
The Arc in Hawaii
The Hawaii Chapter of The Arc incorporated in
1954. Over the years, The Arc in Hawaii has
advocated for state-provided services for both
children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
In the 1970s, The Arc in Hawaii was a pioneer
in developing community-based group homes. These
group homes allowed families to take their adult
sons and daughters out of institutions and deterred
others from entering the institutional system.
Thanks to the efforts of community leaders,
like The Arc in Hawaii, the state closed its
only institution in June 1999. Hawaii is one
of just nine states, including the District
of Columbia, to completely close its state-run
institutions.
Today The Arc in Hawaii works to establish
policies and programs that include people with
intellectual disabilities in society. These programs
improve quality of life and help The Arc create
supportive environments that empower people
with intellectual disabilities to lead independent,
self-determined lives.
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