Core Values
Guiding Principles
Participatory Democracy
The Arc acts to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents, siblings, family members and other concerned members of the public have meaningful opportunities to inform and guide the direction of the organization's advocacy, to include; determining policy and positions on important issues. The Arc strives for diversity in its leadership, as well as in all facets of the work of the organization.
Visionary Leadership
The Arc leads by articulating a positive vision for the future of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and catalyzes public and private support in realization of that vision through carefully and well-excited goals, strategies and actions.
Public Interest
The Arc represents the public interest, supporting and acting with and on behalf of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families regardless of the type of disabilities or membership in The Arc.
Collaboration
The Arc works with individuals, organizations, and coalitions in a collaborative fashion. The Arc values and promotes effective partnerships between volunteer and staff leadership at all levels of the organization.
Transparency, Integrity and Excellence
The Arc conducts its business with integrity, accountability with openness, honesty and timely communication. The Arc is committed to quality and excellence in all that it does.
We exist to...
- To promote the general welfare of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community
- To serve as a parent support and advocacy organization
- To further research on all aspects of the condition of intellectual and developmental disabilities such as the cause, prevention, medical and social treatment and methods of special education and training.
- To develop a better understanding of the condition of intellectual and developmental disabilities by the public and to cooperate with all public, private and religious agencies; international, federal, state and local departments of mental health, rehabilition, as well as educational and health institutions
- To further training, education and recruitment of personnel to work in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities
- To encourage the formation of local units, to advise and aid these units in the solutions of their problems and to coordinate the efforts and activities of these units
- To further the implementation of legislation on behalf of persons with disabilities
- To serve as a clearinghouse for gathering and disseminating information regarding persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to foster the development of integrated programs on their behalf
- To solicit and receive fund for the accomplishment of the above purposes
- To further the objectives of The Arc of the state of Mississippi and the United States