About The Arc of Texas

Our Mission

“The Arc of Texas creates opportunities for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to actively participate in their communities and make the choices that affect their lives in a positive manner."

Our Roots

Since our founding in 1950 by a group of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc at the local, state and national level has been instrumental in the creation of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit that is now available to more than half a million Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, The Arc continues to advocate for including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of society.

Our Vision

A world where people with disabilities are included in their communities and neighborhoods and where quality supports and services respond to their needs and personal choices.

Our Values

  1. People First. The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect. The Arc represents, supports and acts on behalf of individuals and their families regardless of level of disability or membership in The Arc. The Arc believes in self-determination by empowering people with the supports needed to make informed decisions and choices.
  2. Democracy. A democratic process involving members, through affiliated chapters, is utilized to take positions on important issues, policies and programs.
  3. Visionary Leadership. The Arc leads by promoting the mission, core values and position statements. We lead with integrity, accountability and by open, honest and timely communication. We work with individuals, organizations and coalitions in a collaborative fashion. There is a valued partnership with volunteer and staff leadership at all levels of the organization that provides mutual support for their respective roles.
  4. Community Participation. The Arc works toward and believes in the community imperative: that all people have the fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to live, learn, work, play and worship in safe and healthy communities of their choosing. The Arc works to ensure the safety and well being of individuals.
  5. Diversity. The Arc values and insists upon diversity in its leadership and membership. The Arc actively pursues and welcomes diverse groups (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and level of disability).
  6. Integrity and Excellence. The Arc conducts its business with integrity. The Arc reflects quality and excellence in all its work.

Milestones

For 60 years, The Arc of Texas and The Arc of the United States has been instrumental in the development of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit available to the more than half a million Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here are a few examples:

  • 1950 - Local councils formed "The Association for Retarded Children."
  • 1953 - The first state legislation passed mandating public education for children with mental retardation.
  • 1960 - The association opened its first official headquarters in Austin.
  • 1971 - In collaboration with the Kennedy Foundation, The Arc established "Texas Special Olympics."
  • 1974 - The organization changed its name to "The Association for Retarded Citizens."
  • 1975 - The federal "Education for All Handicapped Children Act" or "Public Law 94-142" was passed.
  • 1975 - The Arc launched its Household Recycling Program to generate funding for state-level operations.
  • 1977 - The Texas Mentally Retarded Persons Act, a "Bill of Rights" for Texans with intellectual disabilities, was enacted by the Texas Legislature.
  • 1980 - The Texas Advocates, a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities, was formed.
  • 1983 - The organization became an intervenor in federal litigation regarding Texas institutional services. The lawsuit eventually resulted in the closure of two state institutions and the development of community services for hundreds of former state school residents.
  • Mid 1980s – Legislation passed barring discrimination in community zoning provisions for group homes and establishing the In-Home and Family Support Program for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.  The Texas Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Medicaid Waiver Programs were initiated.
  • 1990 – Congress passed The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a comprehensive bill of rights for Americans with disabilities.
  • 1993 - The organization again changed its name, this time to "The Arc of Texas," as it began to expand services to include people with other types of developmental disabilities. The first annual Inclusion Works! Conference was held to train educators and parents on how to implement inclusion for students with disabilities.
  • 1997 - The Arc of Texas established the Master Pooled Trust, Texas' first supplemental needs pooled trust fund for people with disabilities.
  • 1997 - The U.S. Congress passed a sweeping amendment to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which expanded inclusive education opportunities for school children with disabilities.
  • 2002 - In collaboration with Advocacy, Inc, The Arc brought a federal lawsuit against The State of Texas in an attempt to obtain Medicaid-funded services for thousands on the HCS and CLASS waiting lists.
  • 2003 - The Arc built and moved into a new state office in Austin. The office, which includes 10,000 square feet of lease space is intended to provide steady income to support state operations in addition to being the Austin home for The Arc of Texas.
  • 2006 - The Arc of Texas changed its Mission Statement to replace the words "mental retardation and other developmental disabilities" with "intellectual and developmental disabilities".
  • 2006 - The Arc settled the 4-year old McCarthy Waiting List lawsuit against the State of Texas with an expectation that the number of persons served by Medicaid waiver services be significantly expanded during the six year period from 2007-2013.
  • 2010 – People with disabilities celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the congressional passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Our Position Statements

Where do we stand on the issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families? Find out by reading The Arc's position statements.

Our National & Local Partners

The Arc of Texas is affiliated with The Arc of the United States, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a national level. We are also proud to have more than 35 affiliated local chapters working to provide additional supports and services to families in communities throughout the state.

Our Board of Directors

The committed men and women on our Board of Directors are primarily parents and family members of people with disabilities. They have experienced firsthand both the challenges and the triumphs associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their personal stake in The Arc's mission provides our volunteers, members, and professional staff with wisdom, inspiration, and guidance.

Our Members

Our members are people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; their families and friends; the professionals and service providers who work with them; and others who are passionate about changing the way our society views people with disabilities. We also invite you to join The Arc family. Become a member today!

Our Staff

Working for The Arc is more than just a job for many of our professional staff. They work hard to make a difference in the lives of more than 500,000 Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With guidance from our board of directors, The Arc of Texas staff work hand-in-hand with our many volunteer members to fulfill The Arc's mission throughout the state.

Our Funding

The Arc of Texas is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. We receive funding from a variety of sources, including private donations, membership dues, fundraising events and special government grants.