Arc Launches New Brand

Online, March 30, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Arc of Baltimore - one of the nation's largest and most respected organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families - will be introducing a new name, brand identity, and logo over the next few months, all of which embody those qualities that have always been at the heart of The Arc's mission - opportunity, achievement, respect, and connection.

"Our vision is for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to thrive in the community," says The Arc's Executive Director, Stephen H. Morgan. "We have made tremendous strides in that regard since President Reagan declared March National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month nearly a quarter century ago, but numerous challenges remain if we are to achieve full inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."

To that end, Morgan explains that his organization - which will now be known as The Arc Baltimore - will join with a network of more than 700 other independent Arc chapters nationally in revising its mission to focus on both individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

"Families have always been essential to our mission, so we thought it was important to include them in our mission statement," Morgan explains.

In the coming months, The Arc Baltimore will begin using a newly created logo on its publications, Website, social media sites, and marketing materials.

"You also will see The Arc's new brand in action on a national level as we unveil several new initiatives, including the release of a series of public service announcements featuring individuals we serve and Lauren Potter, the popular actress with Down Syndrome from the hit TV show Glee," notes Morgan.

In addition, The Arc Baltimore will participate in a social media contest focusing on the achievements of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and underscoring the new brand's tagline, "Achieve with us."

The largest initiative related to the new brand, however, will be the May 10 release of data from the landmark FINDS study of more than 5,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The results of this study - which will include numerous individuals and families served by The Arc Baltimore - "are expected to shed light on the true needs and circumstances of those we serve unlike any study before," according to Morgan.

The Arc Baltimore currently supports more than 4,000 Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents with developmental disabilities and their families.

"The new name, brand, and logo mark our opportunity to build on the progress we have made - including President Obama's recent signing of Rosa's Law, eliminating references to 'mental retardation' in numerous federal laws - while continuing to raise awareness around the challenges faced by more than seven million Americans and their families as they strive to be fully included in society," Morgan concludes.

In the coming months, the new Arc branding and logo will be a featured component at The Arc Maryland State Convention, being held on April 29, and at The Arc Baltimore's Annual Meeting on May 11.

For more information about The Arc Baltimore and the new name, brand identity, and logo, visit The Arc's website at www.thearcbaltimore.org.

About The Arc Baltimore:
Dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve their greatest potential since 1949, The Arc Baltimore supports more than 4,000 Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. As one of the nation's largest and most respected organizations of its kind, The Arc Baltimore is an indispensable resource, providing vocational training, residential services, supported employment, and other programs and services. For more information, visit www.thearcbaltimore.org or call 410-296-2272.