“Achieving full community life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — one person at a time”
Full community life means supporting people to have choice and control over all aspects of their lives including where they work, live, and spend their time. Engaging and participating in community life has a positive impact on people with disabilities and their community. People with disabilities are valuable members of their communities.
CORE VALUES
Through our affiliation with the The Arc of the United States, we identify with and apply the following core values in all aspects of our service delivery.
People First
The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disability.
Equity
The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety and securities accorded to other members of society, and are equal before the law.
Community
The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental, moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.
Self-determination
The Arc believes in self-determination and self-advocacy. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.
Diversity
The Arc believes that society in general and The Arc in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability).
THE ARC HOWARD WAY: GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Arc Howard Way includes four guiding principles that are the cornerstones of our organization. These principles reflect our priorities and are our guideposts to embrace the meaning of our mission.
The guiding principles are:
Person-Centered Approach
The Arc of Howard County commits to a person-centered approach so that each person we support can access optimal opportunities to achieve their goals.
Community-Based Experiences
The Arc of Howard County commits to providing community-based experiences so that people we support can benefit from full integration and live enviable lives at home, at work and at play.
Support
The Arc of Howard County commits to providing the necessary supports for people seeking employment, day habilitation, residential, and retirement services.
Training
The Arc of Howard County commits to providing the appropriate training and support of staff so they can best administer optimal support to people with disabilities.
