The Arc of Northern Virginia was founded in 1962. It is affiliated with The Arc, a national organization founded in 1947 by a group of parents to advocate for school services for children with mental retardation and other severe disabilities. The ARC, as it was originally called, stood for “The Association for Retarded Children” and was renamed “The Association for Retarded Citizens” in 1973. In 1991, The Arc changed its name again in response to advocacy by its members. Today, The Arc of Northern Virginia is no longer an acronym but is an organization that is building community opportunities for citizens with disabilities so that they can live “A Life Like Yours.” Our services and benefits include: Outreach & Development • Information and Referral • Education • Advocacy • Self-Advocacy • Special Needs Trust & Trust Management • Direct Services and Case Management • Guardianship