Edita: My life, my voice.
Edita Daugėlaitė’s inspirational story has set a legal precedent in her own country, Lithuania. It is not every day that a person with an intellectual disability wins the legal right to be treated as an adult.
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Building a world where everyone belongs
L'Arche International is a global community of people with and without intellectual disabilities who share a vision for a more human society for all.
Global Reach
The power of friendship and worldwide collaboration
17,000
Members worldwide
160
Established communities, and growing
37
Countries on five continents
5,700
Members with disabilities
6,000
Dedicated team members
5,800
Community volunteers
In a world of increasing divisions, our global presence as an international community has become more crucial than ever as a significant sign of unity.
— Tetsuya Muramoto
Board President, L'Arche Japan
Social Impact Programmes
Your support helps build vibrant communities today and sustainable development for tomorrow
Inclusive Neighbourhood Housing
Vocational and Business Development
School and Family Programmes
Inclusive Arts and Community Events
Health, Wellness and Therapeutic Services
Public Education and International Advocacy
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L'Arche programmes
In Bouaké Mokan lives with her two children, Marwin and Tricha, who benefit from Inclu’R Africa — a project that is transforming lives.
The Inclu’R Africa project works to promote the inclusion and resilience of people living with intellectual disabilities. It includes a home visit program to support families with children with intellectual disabilities. For Mokan and her family, these home visits marked a real turning point.
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Find Your Place at L'Arche
Life in Community
Community helps us grow and contribute to our society and our world, and community always welcomes us home.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Discover ways of bringing your experience and aspirations to L'Arche.
Change a life
Career Opportunities Worldwide
L'Arche offers a variety of careers that empower people and expand the impact of community worldwide.
CareersFAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
What is inclusion?
Inclusion means people with intellectual disabilities are not just supported – they participate, make decisions, and contribute. L’Arche supports the full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and supports their leadership in L’Arche and society. All L’Arche members are supported in helping to shape community life and take their place as full citizens in our world.
What is an intellectual disability?
An intellectual disability (in some countries referred to as a learning disability) is a difference in how a person learns, understands information, or communicates. It may affect reading, memory, abstract thinking, or independent living skills. Following the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, L’Arche understands disability not only as an individual condition but as a relationship with the environment. Barriers in society such as social perception or attitude, systems, or lack of accessibility often create real limits to participation. L’Arche International supports a society in which people with intellectual disabilities are supported in their rights to make choices, form relationships, contribute, and belong. Language varies across countries. For example, in the United Kingdom, learning disability means what is commonly called intellectual disability in North America and in many international contexts. Across L’Arche, we use language in a way that respects local usage while always placing the person first.
What does community mean?
At L’Arche, community most often begins with a local group of people with and without intellectual disabilities who share daily life together and where neighbors and friends are always welcome. At the center may be a shared residence, or it may be social programs that focus on vocational, family, or public engagement initiatives. In all cases, community is a place we know we are welcomed, where we feel at home with others, valued, and supported. Community helps us grow and contribute to our society and our world, and community always welcomes us home. Community goes beyond inclusion, community is where we can truly belong.
Can I volunteer with L'Arche?
Learn more about volunteer opportunities and other ways to discover L’Arche on our Join us page!
