The Arc of Alachua County

The Arc of Alachua County provides services, supports and advocacy so that people with developmental disabilities can live with respect and dignity as full participants in their community. Founded by a group of parents in 1962 and incorporated in 1966, it serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and Prader-Willi syndrome from its main campus across from Santa Fe College.

Services span the day and the home: residential settings, transitional and supported independent living, adult day training, community inclusion, behavioral support and supported employment. In the Adult Day Training program, participants build skills through work, recreation and Adult Basic Education classes offered with the Alachua County School Board in cooking, reading and writing, math, safety and self-care. Vocational training includes assembly and packaging, recycling and Gone4Ever Shredding, a certified document destruction business open to the public. Since 1988 The Arc has also run a specialized program for people with Prader-Willi syndrome that combines medically guided weight management, exercise and applied behavior analysis.

As an affiliated chapter of The Arc of the United States and The Arc of Florida, it advocates for all people with developmental disabilities in the county. Supporters can volunteer in the day programs, at Bingo nights, with Special Olympics practices or at special events, join the annual Bob Rose Golf Scramble, or become members and donors.