ARC exists to improve the quality of life for people who have a learning disability and we fundamentally believe in increasing the voice of the sector and people who use learning disability services. We represent members and stakeholders, acting as a trusted facilitator between relevant bodies, including commissioners, policy makers, regulation inspectors and government. Our representation at external meetings contributes members’ experience and views as a collective rather than as a lone voice.
In recognition of our role as an honest broker, ARC chaired the Equal Lives review and facilitated the development of the Learning Disability Framework in Northern Ireland.
We respond to consultations, ensuring the voice of the learning disability sector is not forgotten or unheard and we actively seek the views of people with learning disabilities and champion their views to the forefront of any debate.
ARC’s ‘Telling it Like It is’ (TILII) project enables groups of adults, all of whom have a learning disability, advocating their views and opinions to decision-makers and we support these groups to deliver training to professionals.