The Arc’s National Convention brings together people from across the country to share ideas, learn practical strategies, and connect around the issues shaping the disability community today. 

Early bird registration is open for our largest gathering of the year!

Join people with disabilities, families, advocates, and professionals this November in Portland, Oregon, for three days of learning, connection, and conversations that move the disability community forward. 

Explore sessions on Medicaid, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, AI and tech, and more. Hear from national voices, learn from lived experience, and leave with ideas you can bring to your work, community, and daily life. 

Our opening general session will feature Dani Bowman, an autistic entrepreneur, animator, educator, and speaker who uses her work and public profile to challenge harmful ideas about disability, advocate for inclusion, and show what self-advocacy can make possible. She's the founder of DaniMation and was featured in Seasons 1–4 of Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum U.S.”  

Her session will focus on what self-advocacy looks like when the world still underestimates disabled people, misrepresents them, or treats disrespect like entertainment. Don’t miss your chance to see Dani live and learn:

• What it’s like to build a career on her own terms

• How she uses her public platform

• Why harmful language, like the R-word, still matters

• How we can all push back when disability is mocked, minimized, or dismissed 

It’s the kind of session that sets the tone for everything that follows.

Early bird pricing is available through September 30. Lock in the lower rate now. 

We hope to see you in Portland! 

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.