Our History
The Arc of the Capital Area is a non-profit organization founded in 1949 by parents whose children with mental retardation were excluded from public schools and other resources readily available to children without disabilities. To address this void, The Austin Council for Retarded Children (now The Arc of the Capital Area) was formed to advocate for the education and welfare of children with mental retardation. Until 1975, children with disabilities did not have the same legal rights to an education as other children.
In the past 60 years, the programs and services of The Arc have evolved to address the ever changing and expanding array of issues affecting all persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, as well as their families. Today we provide support services, case management and educational assistance to hundreds of clients of all ages.
Without the programs and services our organization provides, our clients might find themselves in vulnerable circumstances and/or at risk for homelessness, institutionalization, exploitation and serious health problems.
