Founded in 1936, The Arc of King County provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities and their families. As Washington's oldest nonprofit organization serving people with developmental disabilities, The Arc of King County has played a leadership role in providing innovative services. The Arc of King County is an affiliated chapter of The Arc of Washington and The Arc of the United States.

Mission
Advocating the right of children and adults with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and play in the community – improving the quality of life for us all.

Who we help
Children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Developmental disabilities are conditions that occur prior to the age of 18 and are expected to last for life, including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other similar neurological disorders.

Our History
Founded in 1936, The Arc of King County is Washington’s oldest local nonprofit organization serving people with developmental disabilities and their families. Our core values include:

• CHOICE:  Ability to freely select from among known resources and paths; and respect for the basic human right to make such decisions to the fullest extent possible

• DIVERSITY:  People of diverse abilities and cultures working together

• INCLUSION:  All people are welcomed into the activities of the community - schools, housing, parks, etc.

• INDEPENDENCE:  Freedom from control of others; freedom to exercise the right to make one's own life decisions

• OPPORTUNITY:  Open choices to meet basic human needs and to participate fully

• PARTNERSHIP:  Working together with The Arc programs and other agencies in a cooperative and collaborative environment

• SELF DETERMINATION:  The right to make one's own life decisions and to take advantage of opportunity

• SUSTAINABILITY:  Fiscal stability and strong infrastructure; facility, salaries and technology generating agency stability that clients can count on

Our Services
 Most services at The Arc of King County are provided free of charge. These services include:

• Outreach to senior parents caring for their adult children with disabilities.

• Outreach to Latino, African-American, Asian, other communities of color, and refugee and immigrant groups.

• Peer support for parents through support groups, advocacy activities, and e-mail lists.

• Peer support and leadership training for self-advocacy.

• Parent classes on numerous topics.

• Direct support for adults living in their own homes.

• Outreach through our Information and Referral phone line and on-line resource guide at www.arcofkingcounty.org/guide

Additional information about The Arc of King County

• We serve approximately 6,000 individuals annually, including people with disabilities, family members, advocates, other professionals, school districts, and other organizations.

• We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with funding from the United Way, local, city, and state contracts, and private contributions.

• We are a local chapter of The Arc of the United States, and a partner agency of the United Way of King County.

• Position Statement on Fircrest School and other state-operated Institutions

• Position Statements of The Arc of the United States