The Arc of Lane County

The Arc of Lane County stands as one of Oregon's oldest and most expansive disability services agencies, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1953 by parents seeking community alternatives to state institutions, the organization has evolved over more than seven decades into a major regional service provider headquartered in Springfield. With an annual operating budget exceeding six million dollars, the agency combines professional direct care with passionate civil rights advocacy to ensure individuals of all abilities can live, learn, work, and recreate in the communities of their choice.

Early childhood and youth services lay the groundwork for lifelong independence and educational success. The chapter operates Jumpstart Preschool, an inclusive early learning academy where neurodiverse children and their neurotypical peers learn and grow side by side under the guidance of certified early intervention educators. School-age youth engage through the ESTEAM program, which integrates arts, science, and life skills into enriching after-school and summer day camps. Through the CARES Center and the FEATT Family Network, parents and caregivers receive dedicated navigation assistance, individualized education plan advocacy, and monthly neurodiversity family support gatherings that foster peer connection, emotional resilience, and shared practical advice.

Adult services empower participants to achieve economic self-sufficiency, vocational pride, and active civic inclusion. The agency's employability services division provides customized vocational assessment, job coaching, workplace skills instruction, and direct placement partnerships with regional employers across diverse commercial and service industries. Employment specialists work closely with area businesses to structure supportive workplace accommodations and promote inclusive hiring practices that benefit employees and employers alike. For adults seeking non-vocational enrichment, the Stepping Out program coordinates small-group community outings, volunteer service projects, fitness classes, and social recreation that combat isolation and build meaningful neighborhood relationships.

Recreation and community wellness initiatives ensure accessible public spaces and vibrant social lives for all county residents. The organization developed and maintains Arc Park, a flagship universally accessible outdoor recreational park featuring specialized playground equipment, sensory gardens, shaded pavilions, and wheelchair-friendly pathways. The chapter also deploys a Mobile Sensory Zone to public fairs, athletic events, and community festivals across Lane County, offering a calming, sensory-friendly retreat for neurodivergent visitors who might otherwise be overwhelmed by crowded public environments.

Community resilience and emergency preparedness further protect vulnerable individuals throughout the region. Through accessible emergency preparedness workshops, the agency equips participants with tailored safety kits, person-centered emergency plans, and training on responding to natural disasters and seasonal power outages. Staff collaborate directly with local emergency management agencies and first responders to ensure disability needs are integrated into disaster response protocols. By pairing direct client assistance with systemic policy advocacy, the organization ensures people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have an enduring voice in public policy, community governance, and civic life.