Be an Advocate

Help promote and protect the human rights of
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Advocate

Currently, The Arc of Northern Virginia has a membership of over 1,500. However, it is estimated that there are over 100,000 people with Disabilities alone in Fairfax County with over 7,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Northern Virginia region. About 5,000 individuals who have a family member with a disability live in our area.

There are many different topics that come up during the General Assembly session. For every issue there is a group or organization that tends to “work” that issue. WE are YOUR group! The Arc is “The” organization that works to educate our legislators on issues and shape the policy that is important to people with intellectual/ developmental disabilities and their families. Our focus is to advocate for increases in community-based funding to bring Virginia up from near last in state rankings for services available to individuals with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Be a part of an organization that advocates for the creation of “A Life Like Yours” (a home, a job, a life) for Virginians of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join over 1,500 other people from the region in speaking with a united voice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Virginia’s General Assembly as well as in Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, and Alexandria.

- We can provide representation for you in hundreds of meetings concerning disability policy that take place across the Commonwealth each year.
- You can receive updates on how state and local legislation/policies affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- You will learn ways that you can make a difference in your state and local communities.
- Invitations to attend our educational or informational meetings to help you as a parent, advocate, or to develop new skills.