The Arc of King County

Mission

Our vision is a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) thrive as equal, valued and active members of the community. Our mission is to protect and promote the rights of people with IDD so they can live, learn, work and play in the community – improving the quality of life for us all. We do that through direct service, information and support, and advocacy.

Since 1936, The Arc of King County has shifted systems to make communities accessible and inclusive, assisting individuals and families from prenatal diagnosis through end of life care. 

Our goal is to ensure that the 36,000-plus people living with IDD in King County have the same quality of life as those without disabilities. Our programming is grounded in the belief that disability rights are civil rights. The Arc is here for you!

Description

Founded by families of people with IDD nearly 90 years ago, The Arc of King County is a trusted, reliable, community-centered organization. We are among the oldest of The Arcs across the country, and leverage our network to improve systems of care while providing direct services and resources to the community. We are one of the few organizations providing services across the IDD spectrum, and not just for one specific diagnosis. We center the person and provide culturally and linguistically relevant support in an equitable and sensitive way.

We walk side by side and hand in hand with individuals with IDD, providing:

• Support to navigate applications, services, and systems across the individuals' life span
• Training, education, and technical assistance
• Connection between parents and families on similar journeys through support groups, workshops, and activities
• Advocacy education, communication, and leadership development.
  
  

While The Arc of King County offers a wide array of programming, here are three impactful programs serving the community:

• Through our community residential programming, we help people live the lives they want, in their own homes, with access to employment, meaningful activities, and social connections. 
• Our information & family support team connects parents with information, resources, and referrals so that they may best support their children. Additionally, through strong community partnerships and outreach efforts, we lead the way in collaborating with other agencies around IDD issues, access to services, and collective impact efforts. 
• The culmination of our work is organized advocacy to shift systems so communities are accessible and inclusive, and so all people with IDD get the supports they need to thrive. Through education, civic engagement, and leadership development we help people build confidence to speak up and connect with leaders. We communicate frequently with legislators and other policy makers and influence landmark decisions for the IDD community.

At the end of the day, our purpose is simple: what we want for ourselves, we want for others. To us, that is the foundation of a just society.