Background Statement
AdvocacyDenver, a local affiliate of The Arc National organization, was originally known as "The Arc of Denver" and was one of the first Arcs of the U.S. AdvocacyDenver was founded in 1954 by a group of parents to address the lack of access for children to public education and in-home supports. Since its inception, AdvocacyDenver has been fully committed to ensuring that Denver County residents with disabilities and their families have access to integrated supports and systems that ensure that they are able to lead healthy, active lives in the community. AdvocacyDenver continues to forward the value that people with disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil, and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society. Society in general and AdvocacyDenver in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender, and type of disability).