The Arc of the United States and Comcast NBCUniversal are expanding their partnership to enhance support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Comcast is providing a $1 million grant over two years to modernize The Arc’s data infrastructure, improve digital literacy programs, and offer special education advocacy for Spanish-speaking families. This grant is part of Comcast’s $1 billion Project UP initiative aimed at advancing digital equity.

The grant will enable The Arc to revolutionize its data collection and analysis across nearly 600 chapters nationwide. A new centralized data system will track services, measure impact, and provide insights to better support the IDD community. Consequently, the national office will better support its chapters, which can share best practices and meet their communities’ needs more effectively.

Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc, emphasized that data is crucial for driving change and that the grant will strategically benefit millions of people with disabilities. Additionally, Comcast’s previous funding has allowed The Arc’s Special Education Advocacy Curriculum to be translated into Spanish. The new grant will further support Spanish-language outreach and educational programs, specifically targeting Hispanic communities in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Virginia.

The grant will also support The Arc’s Tech Coaching Centers, which provide digital skills training. The centers will now include caregivers and family members to better integrate technology into daily life. Since 2014, these centers have empowered over 2,500 individuals through essential digital skills training.

According to Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast, technology is the bridge to opportunities and independence for people with disabilities. She highlighted the pride in partnering with The Arc to advance digital access and equity.

Source: Comcast Grants $1M to Transform The Arc’s Data, Tech.