The Executive Director is Nora L. Duncan.

The Assistant Executive Director is Leslie Simoes.

National Arc Launches Massive Public Opinion Survey

The Arc of the United States has launched a landmark public opinion survey that will involve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in order to understand the services they presently receive, need and want. The Arc FINDS (Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports) research is now live and available to families, individuals and self-advocates, and we urge you to participate.

The Arc of the United States asks for your help in getting the word out about the FINDS survey within your community—to self-advocates and the families and caregivers who are the recipients of your hard work and dedication. In announcing the survey, the association outlined the the direct benefits as follows:

1) The FINDS survey gives families a meaningful opportunity to share their perspectives;



2) Promoting the FINDS survey is a key tactic of The Arc’s new strategic framework and puts the efforts of all of our chapters in line with The Arc’s leadership in moving this initiative forward; 



3) Each chapter will receive the results of the survey and also more targeted data within state or regional areas that can be used as a needs assessment resource; 



4) Information generated from the FINDS survey is anticipated to influence program development;



5) Families that might not be currently connected to a local chapter may get connected as a result of the survey and our media visibility; 



6) Results will be used to inform legislators at federal and state levels in advocating for better resources to support your good work; and



7) The meat of this survey will provide our rebranding initiative with a hook to gain much-needed PR coverage nationally, as well as within your local communities.

The link for the survey may be found from our website: www.thearc.org or by going directly to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TheArcFINDS2010

The Arc of the United States will share the summary results at the National Convention, November 3–6, 2010 in Orlando, Florida.