The cornerstone of The Arc New London County is Advocacy.  Since the Agency was founded in 1952, the families, individuals, employees and leadership of The Arc New London County have been instrumental in improving services and supports for people with intellectual disabilities.

One of the fastest growing civil rights movements in the state and in the county is the Self-Advocacy movement. This self-governing organization of people with disabilities advocates and speaks up for itself.  Self-Advocacy means that although a person with a disability may call upon the support of others, the individual is entitled to be in control of his/her own resources and how they are directed.  It is about having the right to make life decisions without undue influence or control by others.