Promoting and protecting the civil rights of Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is what drives The Arc of Delaware. By providing a voice at the state and local legislative levels, we champion the policies, services and funding needed to secure civil rights in housing, employment, health care, education, criminal justice, accessibility and more.

We work closely with community leaders and influencers, the media and other agencies to foster respect, raise awareness and remove attitudinal barriers to full community inclusion and acceptance of people with IDD.

We also encourage and provide supports for self-advocacy, including RISEde, a group led by self-advocates to redefine independence and social empowerment for people with disabilities in Delaware.

In collaboration with our advocacy network, our priorities for 2023 include mental health needs along with funding for direct support professionals (DSP) and access to home and community based services (HCBS).