One of the greatest strengths of The Arc is the partnership between the national office, state chapters, local chapters, and our advocates. We all play different positions on the same team. We have and will continue to accomplish so much together. In the last year and a half, we’ve been busy working together on public policy advocacy. And those efforts continue as we navigate how federal Medicaid changes are going to impact each state.
We also have power when we work together to secure funding to advance our collective work. At the national level, we're working every day to build relationships with major funders and secure grant opportunities that bring in new resources. Just as importantly, we're focused on making sure those opportunities reach chapters, creating new partnerships and funding that help strengthen local communities across the country.
In 2025, the national office awarded more than $600,000 subgrants to chapters, from partnerships with foundations like the Annie E. Casey Foundation and corporations like Comcast. Right now, 71 chapters are participating in national grants through sub-awards. These investments do more than fund important work, they often serve as an introduction to national funders, helping chapters build relationships that can lead to future funding opportunities on their own. That's why we're intentionally designing more grants with chapter sub-awards built in. As our national grant portfolio grows, we want chapter support to grow with it.
This is truly a two-way partnership. Chapters are not just participating in these grants, they're helping shape them. Local expertise makes our proposals stronger, your leadership brings these projects to life in communities, and the lessons you share help us demonstrate impact to our national partners. Just as often, chapters bring opportunities to us that benefit the entire organization. A great example is our digital literacy partnership with AT&T, which began because of a connection made through The Arc San Francisco, and now includes 14 chapters. It's a reminder that some of our best opportunities start locally and grow into something much bigger.
As we continue expanding our national grant portfolio, our goal is simple: involve more chapters, reach more communities, and create more opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. That's the power of our network—when one part of The Arc succeeds, we all have the opportunity to succeed together.
Supreme Court Protects Mail Voting in Major Win for Voters With Disabilities
In a 5–4 decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee, the Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s law allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to count if they arrive shortly afterward. By rejecting a challenge that could have threatened similar laws in other states, the Court preserved an important path to the ballot box for voters with disabilities.
After The Arc’s recent Teen Vogue op-ed about Euphoria’s repeated use of the R-word, thousands of people responded across social media. Some comments showed gratitude and deep pain. Others showed how many people don’t understand the harm this word carries.
New Way to Support People With Disabilities: Donate United Airlines Miles
We have a new partnership with United Airlines and would love your help to make it a success for people with disabilities. From now until August 29, The Arc of the United States will be one of United’s featured organizations to which travelers can donate unused United MileagePlus® miles. With this new partnership, our goal is to help as many people with disabilities as possible attend The Arc’s 2026 National Convention in Portland, Oregon, in November. Help us spread the word within your networks so we can support more people with disabilities to travel to Convention!
Get Involved With Leadership of The Arc’s Chapter Network
The National Conference of Executives of The Arc (NCE) seeks chapter leaders to fill open seats on the Steering Committee for the 2027–2028 term. We are particularly interested in applications from regions one and four to ensure well-rounded representation on the Steering Committee. If you are looking for a great way to get more involved with The Arc and connect more with chapter leaders, joining the NCE Steering Committee is for you! View the NCE Prospectus and complete your application.
2025 Annual Report: We Belong and We’re Here to Stay
In 2025, a lot was on the line. People with disabilities and families organized, contacted lawmakers, shared their experiences, and demanded better. We kept insisting on what should be nonnegotiable: respect, rights, and the freedom to build a good life in the community. Check out our 2025 annual report to revisit how we worked together.
Thanks to funding from The United Health Foundation, 10 chapters of The Arc are providing free in-person or online classes in Mental Health First Aid. You’ll learn how to recognize depression, anxiety, trauma, and warning signs of suicide. Classes cover developing action plans and connecting people with professional resources.
Mental Health at Work: A Community of Practice for Employment Support Professionals Supporting People With IDD
This three-part Community of Practice will help direct support professionals (DSPs) build practical skills to recognize mental health concerns, respond effectively, and support workplace success for people with IDD. Each session builds on the previous one through peer discussion, real-world application, and field-based practice activities. Participants will learn new skills, apply them in their work settings, and return to share experiences, challenges, and successes with colleagues.
Communities of Practice are designed to promote ongoing learning through peer exchange, practical application, and shared problem-solving. Registration closes July 24.
Share Digital Literacy Tools in Your Community
The Arc and AT&T have partnered to bring digital skills training to people with disabilities and their families, helping reduce barriers to technology access. These flexible, accessible resources support inclusion across education, employment, health care, and everyday life, and can be shared broadly or integrated into chapter programming. We encourage chapters to help amplify these tools to expand access and opportunity in their communities.
We are halfway through Disability Pride Month, and this year’s theme, selected by our National Council of Self-Advocates, is "The World Works Better With Us." Our chapter toolkit has great resources, including social media videos from advocates. Share our content when we post or create your own.
Today's workforce challenges require leaders to be intentional in how they engage, develop, and support their teams. Join us to learn leadership practices that strengthen employee engagement and improve retention, support and lead a multi-generational workforce, and foster a strong culture. Register here.
Meet the Chapter Service Center: A New Interactive Data System on the Chapter Portal
Wednesday, July 22, 2:00 pm ET
Join us for an introduction to The Arc’s new Chapter Service Center and learn about its capabilities. This training is important for all chapters because it changes the way you update your information with the national office. Register here.
When It Matters Most: Providing Compassionate End-of-Life Care in IDD
Tuesday, July 28, 2:00 pm ET
Thanks to quality-of-life improvement and better-quality care, people live longer. For people with IDD, navigating advance care planning and decisions requires thoughtful, person-centered approaches. Register here.
What’s Happening in Policy and Advocacy
Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 pm ET
Get the latest on federal policy activity and The Arc’s advocacy work. Make sure you’re up to date on resources you can use to navigate conversations with lawmakers around policy priorities. Register here.
The Power of Hope: Making Wellbeing a Reality for the Autism Community
Thursday, August 13, 2:00 pm ET
Autism service providers are increasingly challenged to balance skill acquisition with supporting lives characterized by joy, meaning, connection, and purpose. This presentation will explore how principles from positive psychology can be integrated into services to promote human flourishing. Register here.
Chapter Town Hall: Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation
Tuesday, August 25, 2:00 pm ET
Join The Arc’s CEO, Katy Neas, and NCE Steering Committee Chair Jean Phelps for a conversation about The Arc’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Affiliation. Last revised in 2013, these terms are ready for a meaningful refresh, and this town hall is your chance to share your perspective. Katy and Jean will share a draft of proposed updates. We will highlight why these changes matter and invite your ideas and questions along the way. This is more than an update; it’s an opportunity to help shape a stronger future for our chapter network. We hope you’ll join us and be part of the conversation. Register here.
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For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities 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.
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