For families with children with disabilities, the education journey often feels like navigating an obstacle course blindfolded. Yet with the proper support systems, these children don’t just survive in school—they thrive, discovering talents and confidence that change their lives forever. Quality education has always driven The Arc’s advocacy, and in 1975, students with disabilities won the right to a free and appropriate education—a victory The Arc helped secure. Today, partnerships with companies like Comcast support programs that teach and connect parents, children, and teachers to make success in school a reality.
Empowering Parents to Be Better Advocates for Their Children
Countless nights in tears after frustrating meetings where their children’s needs were misunderstood or dismissed. The stress of losing valuable time at key points in their child’s development when the system drags its feet. We have no shortage of stories from parents of children with disabilities who tell us how complex the special education system is. This complexity becomes even more pronounced for Spanish-speaking families who want to better understand their rights. The Arc@School is making a big impact on their lives.
“When I enrolled in The Arc’s training, I was just a parent trying to understand the special education system for my child. I didn’t know that this program would change our lives so much. The training taught me about my child’s rights and the resources available. I learned to work with teachers and administrators to make sure my child gets the education they need. Before the training, I felt lost in school meetings. Afterward, I felt more confident and prepared to speak up and advocate for my child. The Arc not only gave me tools; it gave me a voice.” Parent from Denver, CO
Emanuel: From Struggle to Confidence
Emanuel, a child with autism, struggled to keep pace in class. Thanks to tech coaching at The Arc of South Florida, funded by Comcast, he discovered a world of possibilities. Emanuel was 
trained on the Starfall app, which made reading come alive for him and improved his comprehension. He mastered typing skills and learned to do online research for projects. A visual schedule helped him organize assignments.
The change was remarkable. Emanuel now completes homework independently, participates in class, and proudly shares his work. His newfound confidence has ignited a passion for learning that grows by the day.
The partnership between The Arc and Comcast has bloomed into a lifeline of opportunity, providing 300 scholarships to The Arc@School and funding Tech Coaching programs at 10 chapters of The Arc in the past two years alone. Behind these numbers are countless stories of people with disabilities who discovered new possibilities and are better positioned for success.
“Digital skills are a powerful catalyst for independence and inclusion—especially for people with disabilities,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer of Comcast Corporation. “Through our partnership with The Arc, we’re not just delivering training—we’re opening doors to new possibilities. It’s partnerships like these that inspire our work every day and allow us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many.”
Comcast’s partnership with The Arc is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to create digital opportunities and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, Project UP is focused on connecting people to the internet, advancing economic mobility, and opening doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.