As part of the SpArc family of organizations, The Arc of Philadelphia and SpArc Services are committed to ensuring that people are provided with supports and services of the highest quality. Founded in 1948 by parents who sought better services for their children, The Arc of Philadelphia is one of the first Arc chapters in the United States. The parents who created The Arc labored tirelessly for the equal rights and human dignity of people with disabilities at a time when institutionalization was the norm. In subsequent years, The Arc, through its staff and Membership, has become a powerful voice in shaping the service landscape for people with disabilities. As an early pioneer, we campaigned for the right of education for children regardless of ability and promoted integrated services for children and adults with disabilities. At every step in the struggle for equal rights, The Arc has been a vibrant catalyst for change at the local, state and national level. Our relationship building with our state and national legislators is noteworthy. We are often called upon by legislators seeking advice for their constituents regarding systemic issues related to people with disabilities. In 1990, The Arc formed a service provision arm, PDDC- now called SpArc Services, to focus on a mission of vocational training and independent, competitive employment. One of the primary goals of SpArc Services is to expose program participants, people with a wide range of intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, to the community. We do this in a number of ways: through business partnerships we have contracted work sites where participants earn a paycheck by providing a service, by being involved in our cultural arts program including attendance at cultural events such as concerts and plays, by taking part in volunteer activities in the community, and through community supports including placing and supporting people in competitive employment. Our intention is to support people through advocacy, education, cultural experiences, and employment to live their lives with maximum satisfaction and the highest level of independence. We have served the community for over 60 years and are continually searching for new ways to improve and enhance our services.
