Child & Family Advocacy

A young girl with glasses and a ponytail is holding a paintbrush covered in green paint above her head. She is wearing a denim shirt over a bright pink top. The background shows colorful toys and art supplies on shelves, indicating a creative setting.

The Arc supports families who have individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) which is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and/or adaptive behavior functioning. This is measured by an IQ and/or adaptive skills of 70 or below and occurring prior to the age of 22. 

For Special Education I/DD includes the following special education disability categories:

  • Intellectual Disability
  • Multiple Disabilities
  • Developmental Delay – if cognitive and/or adaptive skills are identified
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder – if IQ and/or adaptive skills of 70 or below
  • Other Health Impaired - if IQ and/or adaptive skills of 70 or below
  • Traumatic Brain Injury - if IQ and/or adaptive skills of 70 or below

The Arc does not have the resources, programs, or staff necessary to support individuals who do not meet the definition of I/DD (such as ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, Mood Disorder, Dyslexia). This includes 504 Plans and the following special education disability categories:

  • Serious Emotional Disability
  • Specific Learning Disability
  • Speech or Language Impairment
  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Deaf-Blindness
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Visual Impairment

Even though The Arc doesn’t provide individual support for people with other disabilities, you can use the links below to access our self-guided trainings on the special education process, along with fact sheets, online resources and referral information for community resources. You can also click below to receive weekly informational updates.

How to get help.

To begin the advocacy process, click here to submit an advocacy request or call (303) 232-1338.  Requests are typically addressed within five to seven (5-7) business days.