This was originally published in Visions, Issue IV 2025. Click here to see more issues of Visions.
December 1, 2025
Since our inception in 1954, Berkshire County Arc has been part of the national Arc network, which includes 18 chapters in Massachusetts, and more than 600 chapters across the country.
These are the people who helped move the disabilities population from institutions to the community. This is the organization who went to the courts to secure the right to a public education for children with disabilities. The Arcs also helped pass the Americans with Disabilities Act legislation.
Much of these accomplishments are now part of our communities. We expect a ramp at the doctor’s office, and assume all children can go to school. But, as a speaker at the recent national Arc conference made clear, there are always forces out there looking to roll back the clock.
Fortunately, no one fights like a parent, another speaker at the conference said. Parents made all this happen in every state, including our Commonwealth. Parents created the Arcs.
Beyond social and legislative advocacy, belonging to the Arcs provides a support system for operating at the highest level. We talk often. We share ideas and resources, we advocate as a group, and we mentor one another.
The directors of the various programs also collaborate, including training departments, human resources, residential programs, marketing, and so on. And while we all operate independently with our own CEOs, Boards, leadership teams, and budgets, we do not compete. In fact, we do the opposite – we are eager to help every chapter succeed.
It wasn’t that long ago when public events – from theater to sports – did not have to accommodate a person with physical challenges, or school districts were allowed to prevent children from an education. This impacts 15% of the population, not to mention their families.
The Arc is a village to change the world, said one person at the recent annual conference. While the BCArc family achieves at an impressive level on its own, it is always better to be part of a larger village.
Maryann Hyatt, MBA, DBA
President & CEO
