Our Mission

Mission Statement:

The Arc of High Point is committed to securing for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work, and play. The Arc of High Point is an affiliated chapter of The Arc of the North Carolina and The Arc of the United States.

Vision Statement:

The Arc’s vision is to build understanding and acceptance that enables individuals the Arc serves to have the same rights, freedoms, and choices as the rest of society, empowering those individuals to become as independent as possible. The Arc further seeks to cultivate a culture in which people of all abilities are welcomed, valued, and involved, thereby strengthening the community by embracing differences in all individuals.

 

Guiding Principles of The Arc

People First

The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities, and inherent value, not by their disability.

Equality

The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety, and security accorded to other members of society, and are equal before the law.

Community

The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil, and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.

Self-determination

The Arc believes in self-determination and self-advocacy. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.

Diversity

The Arc believes that society in general and The Arc in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender, and type of disability).

Position Statements

The Arc’s position statements address critical issues related to human and civil rights, treatment, and services and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Position statements are used to advance The Arc’s public policy goals, as well as provide a platform for our state and local chapters to gain a national perspective for what The Arc stands for. They also serve to inform our constituency, stakeholders, and the general public on the prevailing organizational view on critical issues.

Creation of Position Statements – The President of The Arc appoints a committee to consider the development of new position statements and the revision of existing position statements. The Arc works in conjunction with a committee appointed by the President of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). Chapters or members of The Arc may suggest new position statements by writing to the President or the Executive Director. The drafts of new position statements and the existing position statements being considered for revision are circulated to all chapters for the opportunity to comment. These comments are incorporated into the final drafts for consideration by the Boards of Directors of The Arc, AAIDD, and voting by The Arc’s Congress of Delegates.

Position Statement Categories:

Quality of Life – The primary goal is for all persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, is to enjoy and maintain a good quality of life. Rights People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have the same fundamental legal, civil, and human rights as other citizens. They may need accommodation, protection, and support to enable them to exercise these rights. Their rights should never be limited or restricted without due process.

Rights – People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have the same fundamental legal, civil, and human rights as other citizens. They may need accommodation, protection, and support to enable them to exercise these rights. Their rights should never be limited or restricted without due process.

Life in the Community – All people, regardless of disability, deserve the opportunity for a full life in their community where they can live, learn, work, and play alongside each other through all stages of life. People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities need varying degrees of support to reach personal goals and establish a sense of satisfaction with their lives.

Systems – Systems are necessary to support people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families to enable them to live their lives like other people. These support systems must be of high quality and focused on the people and their families, not the staff.

Achieve with us.