Disability Organizations

Adaptive Sports Foundation

Provides instruction in both winter and summer sports to children and adults with cognitive and
physical disabilities.
All Walks Of Life
Focuses on prevention of violence to people with disabilities with information and a moderated
e-mail list.
American Association of People with Disabilities
AAPD is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States,
dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56
million Americans with disabilities. AAPD works in coalition with other disability organizations
for the full implementation and enforcement of disability nondiscrimination laws, particularly the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT)
Advocates against placing people with disabilities in nursing homes and other institutions.
American Council of the Blind
National organizations of blind, visually impaired and sighted individuals whose purpose is to
work toward independence, security, equality of opportunity, and improved quality of life for all
blind and visually impaired people.
Center for Applied Special Technology
Advocates for educational products, classroom practices and products that are inclusive to all.
Directory of Nationally and Regionally Accredited Institutions
This link provides information about some of the benefits to obtaining a four-year degree from
an online university, specifically for students with disabilities. It cites statistics, and makes the
argument that online programs are accessible to students with disabilities by their very nature.
It also provides an explanation of what students with disabilities must typically do in order to
prove their need for academic and/or physical accommodation at the university level, and lists
links for further reading about securing reasonable accommodations in higher education settings.
Disability Rights Advocates
Works for the protection and advancement of civil rights for people with disabilities through
research, education, and legal advocacy.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Works to protect and advance the civil rights of people with disabilities through law and policy
legislation and through the training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities and parents
of children with disabilities. DREDF was founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents
of children with disabilities.
DisabilityScoop
News organization that covers topics of interest and concern to people with developmental
disabilities. Coverage includes news about various conditions, including autism, Cerebral Palsy,
Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Writers often examine news about education,
politics and health, among other topics, through the lens of how such things impact people with
disabilities.
Disabled Sports USA
Offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to those with permanent disabilities, including
winter skiing, water sports and summer and winter competitions.
Fishing Has No Boundaries
Local chapters offer fishing opportunities for people with disabilities.
International Paralympic Committee
This global governing body organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
Mental Health America
The oldest mental health organization in the US for people with mental illness.
Mental Health Association of Portland
The organization is the state of Oregons impartial and independent advocate for persons with
mental illness and addiction.
Mobility International, USA
Provides information and resources on international exchange programs for people with
disabilities.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The nations largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families.
Good resource for descriptions of mental illness and medications used to treat.
National Association of the Deaf
A national civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the
United States of America.
National Federation of the Blind
Largest membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFBs focus is
advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-
confidence.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Provides information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities,
promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect
and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
National Organization on Disability
Raises disability awareness through the dissemination of disability-related news, information and
resources.
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association
Local chapters sponsor adaptive horseback riding.
Not Dead Yet
Advocates against assisted suicide or ending the life of people with disabilities who may not be
able to speak for themselves.
Through the Looking Glass
Pioneers research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a
disability or medical issue. This nonprofit organization emerged from the independent living
movement.
Trace Research & Development Center
Conducts research and advocates for accessibility to new and emerging technologies.
US SAILING Sailors with Disabilities Council
National organization promotes sailing for people with disabilities.
VOR Advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
VOR is a national, nonprofit organization advocating for high quality care and human rights for
persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization positions itself as the
only national advocacy organization that supports service choice, from small to large, expressly
supporting the expansion of community-based supports while also opposing forced
deinstitutionalization. It champions individual choice based on need, supporting individuals and
their families as primary decision-makers. VOR has state coordinators in many states and
members in all states.