Advocacy Organizations

Advocacy comes in many forms and addresses many issues.  These organizations focus of advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities and the disability community.


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www.aapd.com

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convenerconnector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

Convener:  AAPD is a cross disability organization that builds trust and unity through open, honest conversations. When we stand in solidarity on any issue, we have the power to create lasting change.

Connector:  AAPD is a bridge that joins the disability community with our friends, adversaries, family, businesses, schools, and the community at large, amplifying a powerful voice for change.

Catalyst:  AAPD is action-oriented, building chain reactions that increase the rate and speed of change.

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http://www.blackdisabledandproud.org/

Working with disabled students and disability services at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities (PBCUs) is our first priority.

We are identifying ways to provide culturally responsive disability services and classroom instruction to Black and African American college students with disabilities on all US campuses.

We are trying to increase the number of Black and African American students with disabilities going to college, staying in college, and graduating.  Offering resources, support, a sense of history and community for students.  For faculty, staff, researchers, policymakers and especially those in disability services, we offer information and resources for supporting and mentoring students.

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http://www.post-polio.org/

Post-Polio Health International’s mission is to enhance the lives and independence of polio survivors and home ventilator users through education, advocacy, research and networking.

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http://www.ventusers.org/

International Ventilator Users Network’s mission is to enhance the lives and independence of home ventilator users and polio survivors through education, advocacy, research and networking.

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http://www.miusa.org/

Promoting travel, exchanges, and coordination with disabled organizations across the world.  An international voice for the rights of people with disabilities with an emphasis on women with disabilities thru their Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD).

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www.ncd.gov

NCD, the National Council on Disability was created in 1978 through an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  NCD is an independent federal agency.  Advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.  NCD is comprised of a team of Presidential and Congressional appointees, an Executive Director appointed by the Chair, and a full-time professional staff.

NCD fulfills its advisory roles regarding disability policies, programs, procedures, and practices that enhance equal opportunity by:

  1. Convening stakeholders for recommendations and action steps;
  2. Gathering and analyzing data and other information;
  3. Engaging and influencing current debates and agendas;
  4. Identifying and formulating solutions to emerging and long-standing challenges;
  5. Providing tools to facilitate effective implementation.
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http://www.ncil.org

NCIL is source of training, resources and advocacy for the entire US disability community.  We are proud to offer a national policy platform that advocates for the human and civil rights of all individuals.  NCIL members directly determine our public policy priorities through regular survey, and by serving on our legislative and advocacy subcommittees.

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http://www.ndrn.org

NDRN is the nonprofit, voluntary membership association for P&A, Protection and Advocacy agencies, and CAP, Client Assistance Programs.  Collectively, the network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.  The P&A’s have been at the forefront of the de-institutionalization movement.

The initial focus of the Network was to safeguard individuals living in institutions.  Protection and Advocacy agencies (P&A) have the authority to provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under all federal and state laws, to all people with disabilities.  Today, all P&A’s continue to monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions in facilities, large/small, public/private, that care for people with disabilities.  P&A’s also assist persons with disabilities find the least restrictive possible living arrangements.

The focus of P&A work broadened to secure the rights of persons with all types disabilities wherever they reside.  P&A statutes expanded to give additional authority on two fronts:

  1. Ensuring full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing, transportation, and productive employment opportunities,
  2. Continuing to seek prevention of abuse and neglect, monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions.

Client Assistance Programs (CAP) provide information and assistance to individuals with vocational rehabilitation (VR) services under the Rehabilitation Act.  This includes assistance in pursuing administrative, legal and other appropriate remedies.

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http://disabledstudents.org/

The National Disabled Students Union (NDSU) is a national, cross-disability, student organization dedicated to social justice for all. Our mission is to mobilize and organize students with disabilities throughout the nation.  Seeking to continue the legacy of empowerment and community solidarity that is our heritage.

Students with disabilities in this country will no longer accept anything less than full participation, full equality, full justice, and the full dignity and respect that we deserve as equal human beings.  We recognize all disabled people.  Including those with traditionally recognized disabilities and those who have often been left out of the movement. United  as brothers and sisters, we recognize all students as people working to learn.  Whatever their school we are all colleagues.

As one of the great leaders of our movement, Justin Dart, once said, “We are here, we are united, and we are proud.”  We work to ensure that all disabled students have the opportunities they need to learn, the opportunities they need to live and work, and the opportunities they need to be full participants in their communities and full members of American society.

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http://www.spinalcord.org

United Spinal is committed to advancing public policies that lead to greater civil rights and independence for people with disabilities.  We believe no person should be excluded from opportunity on the basis of their disability.  Our goal is to provide people living with SCI/D programs and services that maximize their independence and enable them to remain active in their communities.

Disability awareness has always been an integral part of United Spinal’s mission and culture.  Our aim is to raise public awareness on the often-overlooked disability issues that affect our community.  Maintaining the highest standards in communications, we promote our mission through our websites; social media pages; press releases; magazines and informative publications; participatory events and instructional sessions; public service announcements; and e-mail alerts.

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http://nyln.org/

Blog site for youths with a good disability section.

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http://yodisabledproud.org/

YO! Connects Youth with disabilities to each other, organizations, resources and opportunities.;

Organizes Youth with disabilities together to develop leadership skills, identify issues that affect our lives and take action to create social change;

Educates Youth with disabilities about the disability rights movement, disability culture and pride, community organizing, action, advocacy and community resources.!

YO! gives youth leadership opportunities, social networks, resources and more.

YO! is for youth with disabilities to be PROUD of who we are and what we can achieve!

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