Frequently Asked Questions
Curious Minds Want to Know...
- Q. Is it Arc or ARC?
- A. Arc. In 1990, seven metro Arc chapters, led by a strong group of self-advocates and families, agreed to do away with the name "Association for Retarded Citizens" and its acronym and moved to using simply Arc. The name change arose out of concern with the label "retarded."
- Q. What is People First language?
- A. People First language puts the person before the disability and it describes what a person has, not who a person is. An example would be to say "people with disabilities" instead of "the handicapped or disabled." Click here for more examples.
- Q. What are intellectual and developmental disabilities?
- A. Intellectual and developmental disabilities include Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and other related conditions.
- Q. How is Arc funded?
- A. Arc Greater Twin Cities raises the largest portion of its budget (47%) itself through its thrift businesses which include Arc's Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers; Autos for Arc and the Used Goods Pickup Service. Other revenue comes from United Way (18%); contributions and fundraising events (17%); grants (12%); and other earned income (6%).
- Q. What is the cost for Arc services?
- A. Calls for information and assistance and one-to-one advocacy services are provided without charge to consumers. A fee is charged for ArcShops, trainings and events, with the fee discounted or waived in many cases for Arc members. It costs Arc an average of $71 to provide each hour of advocacy services.
- Q. What kinds of help does Arc provide?
- A. Arc is all about helping people make connections, get answers and find their way. Services span the lifetime - providing help with education, health care, housing, employment and more. Programs include parent networking groups, Sibshops, ArcShops and forums, information and one-to-one advocacy, public policy advocacy, People First self-advocacy and GetSet! Training for Special Education Success.
- Q. How does Arc help people who don't speak English?
- A. Arc has advocates on staff who are fluent in Spanish and Hmong. Arc also uses Language Line, a service providing interpreters fluent in 140 different languages.
- Q. Are services for members only?
- A. No. Thousands of individuals and families receive Arc services each year and only a portion are Arc members. No one is turned away. Arc members often receive a disounted member fee for workshops and events, however.
- Q. Why should I become an Arc member?
- A. Only a generation ago, people with disabilities were institutionalized and largely invisible. Today people with disabilities have many options for where they live, learn, work and play. Changes in public policy constantly threaten funding for programs and services. Arc's work is never done! Join us!
- Q. What is the service area of Arc Greater Twin Cities?
- A. Arc Greater Twin Cities serves the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
- Q. Are there other Arc chapters in Minnesota and nationally?
- A. Yes. Arc Greater Twin Cities is one of 12 chapters in Minnesota under The Arc of Minnesota umbrella and one of 756 chapters nationwide within The Arc of the United States. Arc Greater Twin Cities is the largest chapter in Minnesota. Services and programs vary chapter to chapter, but all advocate for the rights and full participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. .
- Q. Can I volunteer with Arc?
- A. Absolutely! Your time is precious. Share it with Arc and we will use it well! Agency volunteer opportunities range from helping with support groups and trainings and volunteering on committees to assisting with special events and mailings. Arc's Value Village volunteer opportunities include unpacking, sorting, tagging, hanging clothing, displaying donated merchandise, and more!