The Arc of Tennessee has undergone many great changes.
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Who is The Arc of Tennessee?
The Arc of Tennessee is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded in 1952 and is affiliated with The Arc of the United States. The Arc of Tennessee is also a membership organization composed of people with mental retardation and other disabilities, their parents, friends, and the professionals who assist them in reaching their goals.
The Arc of Tennessee values diversity and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender or level of disability.
What is mental retardation?
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Mental retardation is a condition, not a disease.
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One of every ten American families has a member with mental retardation.
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More than 7.5 million people are identified as having mental retardation.
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It is estimated that there are 178,643 Tenneseans with mental retardation, of which 7,086 are currently receiving services and supports.
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People with mental retardation can care for their needs and be educated and intergrated into their communities.
A Brief History of The Arc of Tennessee
The Arc of Tennessee was first organized in July 1952 when sixty-five parents met in Nashville, Tennessee at George Peabody College. Bylaws were adopted and on December 19, 1952 the association was chartered as a non-profit corporation under Tennessee Law.
Mr. Charles Zellner from Memphis was electd the first President of the organization, then called the Tennessee Association for Retarded Children. The association has had several different names over the years as terminology, philosophy and the populations served have changed.
The Arc of the United States was organized in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1950 as the National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children. In 1952, for brevity's sake, the name was changed to the National Association for Retarded Children (NARC). The NARC Charter was filed and recorded on March 27, 1953 in the State of Tennessee, and The Arc of the United States remained a Tennessee Corporation until 2000. The Arc of Tennessee became a state chapter of The Arc of the United States in 1958.
The Arc is truly a grassroots movement. Members are comprised of people with mental retardation and other disabilities, family members, friends and professionals in the disability field. The Arc has been instrumental in creating and promoting some of the most important legislation protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. For 25 years members of The Arc worked with local school districts, state legislatures, and the United States Congress to convince them that children with mental retardation had a right to a public education. In 1975 Public Law 94-142 (now known as IDEA) guaranteed "a free public education to all."
For a more extensive version of The Arc's history, please read an account by Pat Butler, a long-time and current member of The Arc of Tennessee Board.
Read The Arc of Tennessee Executive Director's 2004-05 Annual Report in Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download it from our Legislative Monitor page.
Legislator Awareness Day will be March 15, 2006 at the State Capitol and Legislative Plaza. This is a day for people with disabilities, families, advocates and friends to visit their legislators and share their concerns as well as raise awareness about issues affecting children and adults with disabilities.
How Can You Participate?
1. Make an appointment to meet with your legislator on the 15th to tell
your story.
2. Write a brief personal letter with photos, if possible, that tells
your story and explains how the legislature can help. Offer the letter
to your legislator.
3. Visit our informational table in Legislative Plaza to pick up policy
briefs and legislatives alerts to help you “bone up” on
the issues.
4. Invite friends, family and coworkers to join you in Nashville for
support.
Our main office is located at:
44 Vantage Way, Suite 550
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: 615-248-5878
Toll Free: 1-800-835-7077
Fax: 615-248-5879
