The Arc of Anchorage

04/02/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day 💙

We’re sharing this message from The Arc of the United States as a reminder that there is no one way to be autistic. Every person experiences the world differently, with their own strengths, needs, and ways of communicating.

At The Arc of Anchorage, we celebrate neurodiversity and stand for understanding, inclusion, and acceptance for all.

04/01/2026

April is STD Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support healthier communities.

At The Arc of Anchorage, we believe everyone deserves access to clear, inclusive information about their health. Sexual health is an important part of overall well-being, and knowledge is one of the best tools we have to protect ourselves and others.

Here are a few important reminders:
• Millions of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diagnosed each year in the U.S., with young people and certain communities disproportionately affected.
• Many STIs can go unnoticed without testing.
• Early detection and treatment can make a significant difference in health outcomes.

Protect your health by remembering three key steps:
Talk. Have open and honest conversations with partners and healthcare providers.
Test. Regular testing is the only way to know your status.
Treat. If needed, seek medical care right away, many STIs are treatable, and some are curable.

Taking care of your health doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, informed steps can make a big impact.

For local resources and testing information, visit the Alaska Department of Health HIV/STD Program or iknowmine.org.

03/30/2026

💚 World Bipolar Day – March 30

World Bipolar Day is a global effort to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and reduce stigma around mental health. Communities around the world are encouraged to host events and share resources that promote understanding and support. Learn more about the movement and how to get involved: https://www.isbd.org/world-bipolar-day

Today we recognize the strength, resilience, and courage of individuals living with bipolar disorder, as well as the families, friends, and supporters who stand beside them every day. Their stories continue to inspire hope and progress.

Together we can continue building a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Celebrated every year on March 30th, World Bipolar Day (WBD) is a world-wide awareness initiative co-founded by ISBD.

03/26/2026

We received tons of great feedback on the new website! Thank you to everyone who participated in the feedback contest.

If you haven't seen our new website, you can check it out here: https://thearcofanchorage.org/

03/17/2026

Start your spring cleaning today and schedule a FREE pickup before the spring rush! 🌸

Your donated items help create opportunities for Alaskans who experience disability.

Schedule your pickup or drop items in community bins located at most Anchorage area high schools. Need a full list of drop off locations? Just reach out. We are happy to help!

👉 onlinedonationpickup.com/thearcofanchorage/

03/13/2026

Congratulations to Cindy, the winner of our Website Feedback Sweepstakes!! Thank you so much for your valuable feedback on the new site and support for the Arc of Anchorage.

If you haven't checked out our website's new look and features, you can check it out at https://thearcofanchorage.org/

03/10/2026

Women have always been at the heart of the disability rights movement.

From mothers who fought for the rights of their children when they were excluded from school to women with disabilities who demanded access, dignity, and control over their own lives, this movement exists because women refused to accept less.

Today, women with disabilities continue to lead, organize, and speak out about what inclusion really means. Women also make up most of the direct support workforce, showing up every day to support people with disabilities at home, at work, and in their communities. And across policy, advocacy, and leadership, women are still pushing this work forward.

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, and we want to recognize the women who built this movement, the women with disabilities who continue to shape it, and the women working every day to protect disability rights.

03/10/2026

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 💙

While screening has saved many lives, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50 and the second deadliest cancer overall. Too many young people are diagnosed at advanced stages.

That’s why awareness and getting screened matters more than ever.

Join us this March in raising awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting efforts to find a cure. Early detection saves lives.

02/27/2026

Black History and Disability
Approximately 1 in 4 (25%) Black adults in the United States live with a disability. This community faces unique "double discrimination" at the intersection of racism and ableism, leading to significant disparities in health, wealth, and safety.
Let’s end this month celebrating their advocacy and inspiration. Let’s honor these Black Americans living with disability, the challenges they face and the achievements they have made.
Black Americans with Disabilities who are committed to reshaping the future.

Simone Biles is a 2016 Olympic gymnastics champion and the first female gymnast to win four consecutive all-around world titles since the 1970s. She has won an eye-popping 14 world championship medals.
At the age of six, Simone was diagnosed with ADHD and today serves as a powerful voice for those with both invisible and visible disabilities.
“We can push ourselves further. We always have more to give.”
– Simone Biles

Missy Elliot, Award-Winning Female Hip Hop Icon Turning Trauma to Triumph
Missy Elliott, the 51-year-old businesswoman, rapper, and Grammy Award winner, was born and raised in Virginia under challenging circumstances. Her childhood was marked by significant trauma, but by the early 1990s, she had become a Platinum-selling artist.
At the peak of her career in 2008, Elliott experienced a startling and alarming weight loss, sparking criticism from both fans and the media. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an incurable autoimmune disorder that causes a range of symptoms, including hair loss, tremors, muscle weakness, and bulging eyes.
Her condition hindered her from continuing to make music for years, “I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad – I couldn’t even use a pen,” she recounts in an interview.
Elliott had to take a step back from her career in order to focus on her recovery, which included radiation and medication. Through nutrition, exercise, and ongoing treatments, she has learned to live with and manage her disease.
In 2011, Elliott surprised fans by returning to the scene with collaborations with other artists.
“It’s funny, because for females in general – not just in music, but the corporate ladder as well – anything we do has always been harder for us. When it comes to music, the industry wants you to conform, to look like this and to sound like this, and do this or that. It makes it harder. It’s harder for us to come out and be bosses and lead the pack.”
– Missy Elliott

Clarence Page, Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist & Disability Advocate
Clarence, who has ADHD, believes his condition has helped him become a successful journalist. He encourages those with a similar diagnosis to use their condition as a “floor for their opportunities, not a ceiling for their abilities”.
He is also a vocal advocate for people with disabilities and works to reduce the stigma surrounding ADHD. He knows that life can be challenging for children with ADHD and strives to make it easier for them to reach their full potential.
Along with 17 personalities spanning various industries and careers, Clarence was featured in the book, “Positively ADD”, saying that, ‘people expect [children with ADHD] to act and learn in a certain way, but they don’t. They have to fight to figure out who they are and what they need.”
“If we are to prevent the fabric of our society from coming apart, we must teach our children to excel not only academically, but also in their appreciation of their obligation to others.”
– Clarence Page

02/17/2026

You can support the Arc when you apply for your PFD!

Quick guide:
1️⃣ Go to https://mypfd.alaska.gov/
2️⃣ Search The Arc of Anchorage and select it under Pick Click Give
3️⃣ Confirm - you’re done. Your PFD can make a lasting local impact.

File today at: https://mypfd.alaska.gov/

02/11/2026

Even a small portion of your PFD makes a big difference. Choose The Arc of Anchorage when filing at https://mypfd.alaska.gov/ to support lasting services in our community.

02/06/2026

Let's Go Red!

February 6th is National Go Red Day!

Let's join our neighbors and community members and wear red in support of a common goal: saving more women’s lives.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Wear red to be seen, to be counted, to be heard, and to make an impact. Together, we are stronger than heart disease and stroke.

On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. Wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and save lives. Because when we come together, there’s nothing we can’t do.