In 1978, a group of courageous and sometimes radical parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities began the journey that is now known as The Arc of Schuyler. Those parents and family members knew there was something wrong with a system that forced their sons, daughters and brothers and sisters to travel, sometimes for 2 or more hours, to surrounding communities to receive some of the most basic services and supports. So they organized! They strategized and they protested when necessary. They joined forces with other parents and siblings of people who were even further away, housed in large, cold and inhumane institutions throughout New York State. They learned from people in nearby communities how organizations were formed locally to meet their family members’ needs.

The Arc of Schuyler is a private, not-for-profit organization founded by parents and friends of people with disabilities in our community, located in Watkins Glen, NY with other sites throughout Schuyler County.

The Arc of Schuyler was chartered in 1978 by NYSARC, Inc., a statewide family based organization working with and for people with developmental disabilities in New York.

In addition, The Arc of Schuyler is a member of The Arc of the United States, a national organization on developmental disabilities. The Arc is committed to securing for all people with disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play.

From its modest beginnings of providing vocational programs for a small group of adults, the organization has grown to serving hundreds of individuals with disabilities and their families throughvarious day, residential, and support service programs.

The Arc is governed by a volunteer board of directors, a majority of whom are parents or blood relatives of someone with a disability. The remaining board members are community leaders whose insight and experience provide assistance and direction to ensure The Arc is integrated into the community as a whole.