Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to The Arc’s Frequently Asked Questions page! Many people have questions regarding The Arc’s services and support. We have compiled a list of these common questions and concerns to help you navigate our services and resources and give you clear answers. Whether you’re a new visitor or a long-time member of our community, we hope this resource provides the answers you’re looking for. If you have any questions that are not listed, you can always give us a call at 309-786-6474.
What is The Arc?
The Arc is a non-profit organization founded upon the ideals of empowering individuals with disabilities to believe in their own unique abilities and achieve their full potential by providing quality, innovative services that focus on, advocacy, inclusion, independence, employment, meaningful community life, and personal happiness.
The Arc's vision is to have ALL people’s abilities be valued and respected by the community, so every person has the opportunity to achieve their best life.
How many chapters of The Arc are there?
There are over 700 local and state chapters. Locally, between Illinois and Iowa there are more than 20.
What is I/DD?
I/DD stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. These are disorders typically present at birth that affect an individual's physical, intellectual, and emotional development. These disabilities can impact daily living and functioning and may arise from mental and physical impairments.
For more information, you can visit NICHD's website.
What are my rights as an individual with I/DD?
You can visit the Department of Justice's Guide to Disability Rights for more information.
What is the criteria for receiving services through The Arc of the Quad Cities Area?
- Must be at least 18 years of age and out of school
- Must be a resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen or legal alien
- Must have qualifying disability
- Be vetted through the local PAS agency to determine they meet the eligibility requirements
- Not in need of 24-hour skilled nursing care
- Able to be safely maintained in the home or Community-Based setting with the services provided in the care plan
How do I get my child services provided through The Arc?
Everything first starts with Praireland Service Coordination, Inc. They are the gatekeepers to our services. You can contact them at 309-921-9102.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community
throughout their lifetimes.