The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham
Supporting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1962 The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

We believe that all people with intellectual or developmental disabilities have a right to make their own choices about how to live their lives. In order to make informed choices, they must have the full experience of all their communities have to offer. They must have the opportunity to become valued members of their communities, recognized for their unique gifts and talents, not just for their c

hallenges. We believe that everyone with an intellectual or developmental disability can be served in the community with the necessary supports. By starting with the belief that people can do more, give more, and be more than we ever imagined if we let go of our own assumptions about them, we strive to be one of those resources. We dedicate ourselves to helping them find the other resources they need and to assist them in breaking down the barriers that hold them back from creating lives of their own choosing. We help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live A Life Like Yours (ALLY). Join us!

**The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC.

New laptops and new skills to go with it!Last week, The Arc received 25 Windows laptops through AT&T and Human-I-T, givi...
08/31/2026

New laptops and new skills to go with it!

Last week, The Arc received 25 Windows laptops through AT&T and Human-I-T, giving our participants an exciting opportunity to learn digital literacy skills using their very own computers!

During our Digital Literacy Classes on August 26 and 28, participants worked through AT&T DigitalLearn’s Getting Started with a Computer course. Together, we learned the basics of what a computer is, how to use a mouse and keyboard, how to identify different ports and connections, and more.

Best of all, participants were able to learn hands-on with the laptops that are now theirs to use while out with The Arc. There will so many exciting opportunities for these in the future!

A huge thank you to AT&T for supporting accessible digital literacy education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and to Human-I-T for helping make these laptops and ongoing digital support available to our participants.

We also want to thank the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center and Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation for partnering with us and providing the space for these classes and continuing to support inclusive learning opportunities in our community.

We can’t wait to see where these new skills take us next!

Working hard and having fun at Bridgewater Retirement Community!
08/26/2026

Working hard and having fun at Bridgewater Retirement Community!

08/21/2026

Someone is on the phone for you. They want to play a drawing game!

We’re Hiring Direct Support Professionals!Looking for a job where you can make a real difference in your community? Join...
08/19/2026

We’re Hiring Direct Support Professionals!

Looking for a job where you can make a real difference in your community? Join The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham as a Direct Support Professional (DSP)!

Our DSPs support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they build independence, connect with their community, explore their interests, and reach their personal goals. From volunteering and recreation to everyday life skills and new experiences, no two days look exactly the same.

💙 Meaningful, people-centered work
🤝 Build lasting connections
🌟 Help people live full, self-directed lives
📍 Serve Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

Learn more and apply:
🔗 thearcofhr.org/join-our-team/

Come be part of a team that believes everyone deserves the opportunity to belong, participate, and thrive in their community!

Have you seen “What My Community Means to Me” yet? 👀The artwork is still up at Black Sheep Coffee Harrisonburg, and toda...
08/14/2026

Have you seen “What My Community Means to Me” yet? 👀

The artwork is still up at Black Sheep Coffee Harrisonburg, and today we’re spotlighting two people helping ARCessible Art grow: Jayme Driver and Nathanael Eby.

Jayme is an ARCessible Art volunteer and local professional artist in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham area. You can find some of her jewelry at The Yellow Button, and she has an art show coming up later this year that we are excited to celebrate.

Nathanael coordinates the ARCessible Art Program at The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. He works to keep ARCessible Art community-based through collaborations with JMU students, workshops with professional artists like Jayme, and opportunities for artists with disabilities to create and be recognized in the community.

Each piece in this show was created by an artist from The Arc paired with a JMU graduate student from PSYC 749, led by Professor Cara Meixner.

The artwork is available through an online auction through the end of August. Proceeds support ARCessible Art, the essential services of The Arc, and the artists who helped create the work.

Stop by Black Sheep Coffee, check out the show, and place your bid!

Auction: https://givebutter.com/c/what-my-community-means-to-me-u71ozu
Learn more: thearcofhr.org/whatmycommunitymeanstome

Which piece is your favorite? 🎨





08/14/2026

The vibes are here to stay for karaoke at The Arc 🎤🎶

📚 Back-to-school season is a great time to remember that access to education was not always guaranteed for students with...
08/13/2026

📚 Back-to-school season is a great time to remember that access to education was not always guaranteed for students with disabilities.

As recently as 1970, U.S. schools educated only 1 in 5 children with disabilities, and some states still had laws that excluded children with intellectual disabilities and other disabilities from public schools. Landmark court cases in 1971 and 1972 helped establish that states and localities had a responsibility to educate children with disabilities.

Then, in 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act established the right to a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities across the country. In 1990, that law became what we now know as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

These rights were won because self-advocates, families, disability organizations, educators, and allies spoke up and pushed for change. As students head back to school this year, we celebrate that history while recognizing that advocacy for truly inclusive education continues today. 🧡

A big thank you to one of our wonderful volunteers, Francesca, who researched the history of education and disability rights and created this graphic to help us share what she learned!

Every right started with someone speaking up. Let’s keep speaking up for inclusion, equality, opportunity, and belonging.

📖 Learn more from the U.S. Department of Education’s "A History of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)":
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History/

What My Community Means to Me is officially on display!thearcofhr.org/whatmycommunitymeanstomeThank you to everyone who ...
08/10/2026

What My Community Means to Me is officially on display!

thearcofhr.org/whatmycommunitymeanstome

Thank you to everyone who joined us Friday at for the debut of What My Community Means to Me, our collaborative exhibit created by artists from The Arc’s ARCessible Art Program and JMU PSYC 749 graduate students (JMU Graduate Psychology).

One of our favorite parts of the evening was inviting every guest to become part of the art. Visitors were encouraged to cut out images, words, and other pieces from magazines, brochures, and local materials and add them to a new collaborative community collage. The finished piece, created by everyone who stopped by that night, is featured in these photos!

Every artwork in the show is available for purchase through our online auction, and donations to the campaign are also welcome. A portion of the proceeds from each artwork sold will go directly to the artists with disabilities who helped create it, with the remaining proceeds going to support ARCessible Art and help us create more opportunities for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities to make art, collaborate with others, exhibit their work, and be recognized in our community.

🖼️ The artwork will remain on display at Black Sheep Coffee throughout August.

Thank you to everyone who came out, contributed to our community collage, supported our artists, and helped make the evening so special!

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Katy Pettit to The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham!Katy has joined our team as our new ...
08/06/2026

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Katy Pettit to The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham!

Katy has joined our team as our new Director of Service Coordination, helping lead and coordinate the services that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout our community.

In her role, Katy will work closely with our Direct Support Professionals, staff, families, and caregivers to strengthen day-to-day services, coordinate support, and help ensure the people we serve receive consistent, person-centered care.

Katy brings a wealth of experience to The Arc. Originally from West Virginia, she has called the Harrisonburg area home for the past 13 years and has worked as a DSP, In-Home/Community Coaching Coordinator, and Vocational Counselor. She also brings experience administering SIS assessments.

Outside of work, you can find Katy enjoying the outdoors, catching some live music, or celebrating all things Halloween!

We’re excited to have Katy on our team and look forward to the experience, leadership, and energy she brings to The Arc. Welcome, Katy! 🧡

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620 Simms Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA
22802

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