The Arc of Greater Williamsburg is one of 630 chapters of The Arc of the United States, which was founded 60 years ago. The Arc of GW was founded in our community in 1976. We are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year.
The “Arc” is not an acronym (ARC) – think of Arc as a word “arcing over all people with disabilities.”
There are over 3000 different types of disabilities, and some people have more than one diagnosis.
On average across America, 20%+ of the population, has one or more disabilities.
Intellectual Disability (ID) and mental illness are NOT the same and require different strategies for care.
People with disabilities make up the single largest minority group in the United States.
Special education for people with special needs ends at age 22 in Virginia, leaving a tremendous void in their quality of life once they age out of school.
Individuals with disabilities experience higher rates of violence than people without a disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
People with disabilities strive every day to have “A Life Like Yours.” (ALLY)
