Resources

"The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to support the mission of the ADA to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.” The ADA National Network is funded by “the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), the network consists of 10 Regional ADA Centers located throughout the United States and an ADA Knowledge Translation Center (ADAKTC).

"All Walks Of Life, is a charitable 501 (c) (3) tax exempt, publicly supported nonprofit organization incorporated in Texas. The Board of Directors includes people with and without disabilities.” They “work to prevent violence against people with disabilities. Toward this effort, the organization collects data, provides education, publishes reports, and works with others to reach this goal.

"The AAIDD has been providing worldwide leadership in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1876. They are a powerful community of leaders with a strong voice and important mission.” They have over 5,000 memberships in the US and 55 other countries. AAIDD “is the leader in advocating quality of life and rights for those with intellectual disabilities. Our top-tier membership bonuses such as professional training, publications and supports are created by and for professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.”

“The American Council for the Blind (ACB) was founded in 1961 by many of its state affiliates and local chapters have a history that can be traced back to the 1880’s.” The ACB’s mission is to independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. 

The Cerebral Palsy Group’s mission is to provide useful cerebral palsy resources while continuing to bring the most up to date information from trusted sources as it becomes available. 

“DREDF’s Disability Media Alliance Project (DMAP) provides support, guidance, and quality control on disability-themed stories creatively addressing the frequently urgent needs of reporters, producers, and content creators with an insider’s understanding of how the media works to help tell accurate, compelling stories that disrupt, transcend, and transform traditional stereotypes.”

“Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is the leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities nationwide.” The DRA was created in 1993 by attorneys and disability advocates Larry Paradis and Sid Wolinsky. The DRA has offices in both New York and California. 

Disability Rights Connecticut’s mission is to “advocate, educate, investigate and pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies to advance and protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities to participate equally and fully in all facets of community life in Connecticut.

“The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), founded in 1979, is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.” Their mission is to “advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.”

“The Disability Visibility Project (DVP) believes that disabled narratives matter and that they belong to us. The DVP provides online spaces for people to share and connect collected oral histories in the form of tweets, podcast episodes, radio stories, audio clips, images, blog posts, etc. They also organize and facilitate events, offer presentations, and participate on panels. 

We ”are concerned about the lack of disability representation in media and pop culture, particularly with respect to multiply marginalized disabled people, such as disabled women of color and the transgender disability community. We aim to eliminate the “I couldn’t find anyone” barrier to hiring disabled writers and speaking with disabled sources.”

“The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit education and advocacy organization devoted to issues surrounding dyslexia. It is based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The International Dyslexia Association serves individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in the field.” Their mission is to “create a future for all individuals who struggle with dyslexia and other related reading differences so that they may have richer, more robust lives and access to the tools and resources they need.”

"LDA visualizes a world in which learning disabilities are universally understood, so all individuals are accepted, supported, and empowered to live a self-determined life.” Their mission is “to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy."

“Little People of America, Inc., is a national nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. Short stature is generally caused by one of the approximately 400 medical conditions known as dwarfism. LPA welcomes all 400+ forms of dwarfism. LPA has more than 8000 members across the United States and internationally. We have 13 districts and 70 chapters. LPA provides social interaction, parent and peer support, medical support, education, scholarships, and grants. Our members range from newborns to senior citizens, both little people and average height. Dwarfism spans all religions, ethnicities, and economic levels. All are welcome!” 

“The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. The NAD also carries out its federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations. On the international front, the NAD represents the United States of America to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international human rights organization.” 

“The National Autism Association (NAA) advocates for federal policy and resources that address the most urgent needs of the autism community. The NAA conducts and promotes research that uncovers and addresses the most critical challenges families and individuals face. They also provide education and training to families, first responders, and service professionals in the US. Direct and tangible tools are provided to families and schools in all 50 states.” 

“The goal of the NCDJ is to provide support and guidance for journalists as they cover people with disabilities. The NCDJ does not advocate a particular point of view; it is concerned with the journalistic principles of accuracy, fairness and diversity in news coverage. Reporters who cover disability issues as a beat and those who may occasionally report on people with disabilities or disability issues may find the center a useful resource for information and the exchange of ideas.”

“The National Disability Institute (NDI) influences thinking and behavior through pioneering research, advocacy, policy development, training and technical assistance. The NDI collaborates with hundreds of organizations throughout the country—from financial institutions and employers to government and community organizations—to empower people with disabilities and their families to build a better financial future.”

“The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. As the national membership association for the P&A/CAP network, NDRN has aggressively sought federal support for advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities, and expanded P&A programs from a narrow initial focus on the institutional care provided to people with intellectual disabilities in facilities to include advocacy services for all people with disabilities no matter the type or nature of their disability.”

“The National Down Syndrome Congress is dedicated to an improved world for individuals with Down syndrome. We are the leading national resource of support and information for anyone touched by or seeking to learn about Down syndrome.
Educate. Advocate. Empower. Inspire.”

“The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a non-profit organization that was founded in New York City as the Association for Advancement of Research on Multiple Sclerosis on March 11, 1946, by Ms. Sylvia Lawry.”

“The NubAility Athletics Foundation exists to encourage, inspire, instruct limb different youth by getting them out of the stand, off the bench and into mainstream sports.Our goal is to get out kids out of the stands, off that bench, and into the game so they can excel confidently in sports and in life."

“RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization that works collaboratively with employers, elected officials, policy makers, educators, self-advocates, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, philanthropists and the entertainment and news media to fight stigmas and advance opportunities. Led by diverse people with disabilities and allies, RespectAbility knows that people with disabilities and their families have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else.”