For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Our Mission

"Empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential"

Achieve with us

The Arc Mid-South carries out its mission of protecting and promoting the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through innovative programs. Our initiatives touch almost every aspect of life in the community. By sharing our knowledge and conducting training and events, our programs help connect communities and inform efforts to broaden inclusion across the Mid-South.

Arc Announcement

31st Annual Awards and Benefit Gala

Saturday, October 03, 2026

The Great Hall and Conference Center

Come join us for The Arc Mid-South’s 31st Annual Awards and Benefit Gala "Creating Independence Through Literacy." Proceeds will support the programs and services supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read more.

Get to know us

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, The Arc Mid-South is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential. We are committed to providing advocacy and services which enable individuals with disabilities to realize their uniqueness, worth, and full inclusion in society. We offer a wide variety of programs and services for individuals with disabilities, such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and other developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Our philosophy is to promote the public awareness of people with disabilities and their special needs. Like The Arc of Tennessee, we value diversity and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender, or level of disability.

Upcoming Events

The Common Thread

The Common Thread v.33, Feb 2026- We are getting on the bus!

The Arc Mid-South has been here for 76 years. The reason we are still here is that the work is not finished. We go to Nashville every year because the families we serve need people at that table, and we intend to keep showing up until the table looks different.

57 minutes ago

The Common Thread v. 32 Dec 2025 - Looking back on 2025

Most of what The Arc Mid-South did in 2025 didn't come with a headline. It was math worksheets on Tuesday mornings in the L.E.T.S. classroom. It was loading up the car and driving to a resource fair, setting up a table, explaining what we do to families who'd never heard of us, packing up, and driving back. It was filing conservatorship paperwork for families who can't afford an attorney.

May 22

The Common Thread v. 31 Nov 2025 -75th Anniversary Gala Recap & Fall Highlights

On October 25, Memphis leaders, families, and longtime supporters of The Arc Mid-South packed the Great Hall and Conference Center and celebrated a milestone few organizations achieve: 75 years of continuous service to people with disabilities.

May 22