The Arc of Philadelphia

The Arc of Philadelphia Advocate to promote active citizenship, self-determination, and inclusion for all.

Overview

The Arc of Philadelphia has led the way in protecting the rights of and promoting opportunities for children and adults with disabilities by advocating with and for all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to promote active citizenship, self-determination and full inclusion. The Arc of Philadelphia affiliated with The Arc of Pennsylvania and The Arc of the United States and is a member of SpArc Philadelphia. The Arc of Philadelphia follows its Guiding Principles of:

INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE - we fulfill our mission with integrity and transparency and are committed to quality and excellence in all we do. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY - we commit to the principle that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and other citizens have meaningful opportunities to inform and guide the direction of The Arc. VISIONARY LEADERSHIP – we lead by articulating a positive future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. COLLABORATION - we work with individuals and organizations in a collaborative fashion that promotes effective partnerships. History

Founded in 1948 by parents who sought better services for their children with developmental and other disabilities, The Arc of Philadelphia is one of the first of now more than 700 Arc chapters in the United States. The parents who created The Arc labored tirelessly for the equal rights and human dignity of people with disabilities at a time when institutionalization of newborns with intellectual disabilities was the norm. Over the past 65 years, The Arc through its volunteer board, staff and membership has become a powerful voice in shaping the service landscape for people with disabilities. As an early pioneer, The Arc of Philadelphia advocated for the right of education for school age children, the closure of Pennhurst, and promoted integrated, community and school based services for children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. At every step in the struggle for equal rights, The Arc of Philadelphia has been a vibrant catalyst for change at the local, state and national level. Our relationship building with our state and national legislators is noteworthy and we are seen by them as a leader regarding disability-related system issues. The mission of The Arc is to advocate with and for all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, to promote active citizenship, self-determination, and full inclusion.

10/30/2025

A message from The Arc of Philadelphia on the importance of this November 4th.

Are you a parent of a student with disabilities?Join the Local Task Force (LTF) for support, guidance, and solutions! ...
10/06/2025

Are you a parent of a student with disabilities?
Join the Local Task Force (LTF) for support, guidance, and solutions!

✅ Get help with special education concerns
✅ Problem-solve services and supports
✅ Connect with school staff and other parents
✅ Learn about community resources

Meetings are virtual, monthly, and free to attend. Click the link below to register and let’s work together to support your child’s success!
http://bit.ly/4paNgpY

An Update on the Fight to Protect MedicaidWhat happened?The Senate just passed the budget bill, and it’s bad. The bill i...
07/01/2025

An Update on the Fight to Protect Medicaid

What happened?
The Senate just passed the budget bill, and it’s bad. The bill includes:
Nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts. That’s about 20% of the federal Medicaid budget. It would cause nearly 17 million people to lose coverage. Nearly $200 billion in cuts to SNAP. Less food assistance means more people will go hungry, including millions of kids. A new private school voucher program that redirects public education funding to private schools. This will make it even harder for children with disabilities to access essential special education services. Take action now to help us protect the very foundation of care and services!

What’s next? The Senate and the House must agree on a final bill to send to the President for his signature.

This isn’t over yet, but this is serious, and we need your help!

Don’t stop calling and emailing your members of Congress. We still have time to reach the hearts and minds of members of Congress on what these cuts will mean to people with disabilities and their families.
Click the link below to ACT NOW!

https://action.thearc.org/hIwNgo4?p2asource=email-2025-0701

A dangerous budget bill is moving fast, and we need to act now!The Senate is voting any day on a bill that would cut $1 ...
06/30/2025

A dangerous budget bill is moving fast, and we need to act now!

The Senate is voting any day on a bill that would cut $1 trillion from Medicaid—a reduction of nearly 20%! The House of Representatives has already passed a version of this bill, and the Senate’s plan makes even deeper cuts.

Can you please take 2 minutes today to contact your members of Congress?

If this bill becomes law:
Nearly 17 million people could lose health insurance over the next 10 years. States simply won’t have the money to fund the care and services that people with disabilities need. More people will go hungry, including millions of kids. This is not about line items in a budget. It’s about real people—children, people with disabilities, older adults, and families who need health care and food to live.

Call or email your members of Congress today and tell them to vote NO on any budget that cuts Medicaid or SNAP. Click the link below to take action today!

https://action.thearc.org/hIwNgo4?p2asource=email-2025-063

Do you need help with an IEP? If so please join Presenter, Nancy Orsino, a Special Education Teacher from the area for a...
06/18/2025

Do you need help with an IEP? If so please join Presenter, Nancy Orsino, a Special Education Teacher from the area for an upcoming session in the 'Ask the Advocate' series hosted by The Arc of Philadelphia. This session is tomorrow, Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 7- 8pm

The topic for this session is 'Reading Programs for Students with IEPs'

Click the link below to register today!
https://bit.ly/49fz3Qd

Do you need help with an IEP? If so please join Presenter, Nancy Orsino, a Special Education Teacher from the area for a...
06/09/2025

Do you need help with an IEP? If so please join Presenter, Nancy Orsino, a Special Education Teacher from the area for an upcoming session in the 'Ask the Advocate' series hosted by The Arc of Philadelphia. This session is on Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 7- 8pm

The topic for this session is 'Reading Programs for Students with IEPs'

Click the link below to register today!
https://bit.ly/49fz3Qd

Address

2350 W Westmoreland Street
Philadelphia, PA
19140

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12152294550

Website

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