For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We began in 1950 as a small group of concerned parents. Today we are the largest statewide advocacy organization assisting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland. We number nearly 7,000 members throughout Maryland including people with intellectual disabilities, parents and other family members, educators and professionals working in the field and interested persons from the general public. We are an innovative and flexible organization which seeks to incorporate and support self advocates within the leadership of the organization. In 2007, we earned the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organization’s Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Standards for Excellence certification. Three local chapters, The Arc of Baltimore, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and The Arc of Howard County have also received this distinction.