The Arc Announces Grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Arc Announces Grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation

WASHINGTON – Students with disabilities and their families are experiencing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties in special education, as the COVID-19 pandemic forces schools and families all over the country to try to figure out the best path forward. But long before the pandemic, students with disabilities and their families faced disparities in education and unmet needs in the classroom. The pandemic underscores the need for vast systemic improvements in special education and more resources for students and families.

Today, The Arc is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation to expand our support of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families during this critical time. The funding will allow The Arc@School to develop new online resources for students and families to ensure they receive the benefits of public education in the least restrictive setting possible, as mandated by federal and state law.

“We are thrilled to receive support from The Coca-Cola Foundation. It will give The Arc@School the capacity to create new resources that will help students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families become empowered during uncertain and challenging times in education, whether they are learning virtually or in the classroom,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc. “The Arc fought hard in the 1960s and 70s to force open the schoolhouse doors and win the right for students with disabilities to attend public schools. But just like other civil rights struggles, the work is far from over. Equal access to education lays important groundwork for people with I/DD to have a place in their communities and make meaningful contributions as adults. We thank The Coca-Cola Foundation for understanding the importance of education for people with I/DD and for their generous support.”

The Arc@School is The Arc’s National Center on Special Education Advocacy. The Arc@School supports students with I/DD (and other disabilities) and their families to successfully navigate the special education system and get the supports and services they need to thrive in school. The program also supports educators to better understand and fulfill their responsibilities toward students and families in the special education system.

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.