National Disability Employment Awareness Month
A quarter century ago, our country took a major step toward fulfilling the fundamental American promises of equal access, equal opportunity, and equal respect for all when the Americans with Disabilities Act was made the law of the land. While we have continued to make advancements that help uphold this basic belief, we must address the injustices that remain. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate the ways individuals with disabilities strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country, and we recommit to cultivating an America where all people are able to build vibrant futures for themselves and for their families.Read the entire proclamation here: Whitehouse.gov
Actions Nonprofits Can Take To Embrace Disability Rights And Access
Disability is all around us. Fifteen percent of the worlds population live with a disability and, throughout our lives, most of us will experience disability, whether temporary or permanent. Yet people with disabilities often remain at the margins, experiencing inequality and discrimination, whether it be in access to healthcare, education, or employment. Despite legal protections, disabled people often face multiple barriers at the ballot box, denying them the right to vote. And now, as the world confronts COVID-19, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected, facing both a greater risk of contracting the virus and difficulty accessing critical health services.
People with disabilities bring unique perspectives to tackling injustice and inequality, particularly disabled women, Black, indigenous, queer, and gender-nonconforming leaders. Yet organizationsmine includedhavent always acknowledged that disability rights is central to social justice. Whether youre a nonprofit working to end systemic racism or an institution building a more just economy, achieving your goals requires acknowledging and dismantling the oppression of people with disabilities.
If civil society organizations wish to advance social justice and civil rights, they must include disability issues. For too long disability has been treated as an afterthought.Alexandra Reeve Givens, Center for Democracy and Technology
1. Educate your organization.
Birth Injury Justice Center
The Birth Injury Justice Center is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by birth injuries, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, Erbs palsy or other disabilities.
The organization was created to provide answers and guidance to help families and children get all the assistance they need to help improve their overall quality of life.
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Disabled American Veterans Charitable Trust
The Trust focuses its grantmaking on organizations that provide long-term programs offering direct assistance to disabled veterans and their families. Of particular interest are programs that ensure sick and disabled veterans have transportation to VA medical facilities for treatment those that provide food, shelter and medical aid to homeless and needy veterans and those that support physical and psychological rehabilitation projects aimed at some of Americas most profoundly disabled veterans.
Anne J Caudal Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2007 to benefit disabled veterans of any time or of any branch of the United States Armed Forces and to perpetuate the recognition or memory of their accomplishments or sacrifice in time of war or otherwise. Grant requests for general operating support are strongly encouraged.
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Providing Mobility Aids And Financial Support
Quality mobility aids and prostheses can be difficult to obtain due to their high price points. Thats why we are asking people to donate to our cause, so we can provide these items to people with disabilities. Using the money donated to us, well give out walkers, canes, and other mobility aids to those who need them. We can also provide people with the financial assistance they need to buy one for themselves.
I Have A Disability And Am Renting A Home
Examples of disability discrimination against renters
- A landlord refuses to rent to you because of your disability.
- A landlord asks for a deposit that is higher than that asked of tenants who do not have disabilities.
- A landlord prevents you from making modifications to your apartment or home to make it more accessible.
- A landlord refuses to make reasonable accommodations to the rules for example, the landlord prohibits a service animal based on a blanket no pets policy.
Your rights
- You have the right to be treated like any other prospective tenant when applying to rent a home. Discrimination on the basis of disability is illegal under federal law.
- You are allowed to make physical changes to your rental unit to make it more accessible to you. Private landlords are not required to make these access changes for you. Landlords may have the right to ask you to restore the unit to how it was or put money in an escrow account to ensure they can.
- You have a right to reasonable accommodations in in rules, policies, practices, or services.
- You may have additional rights in public housing, in housing that is federally funded, and in public spaces associated with your housing such as parking lots, garages, lobbies, and sidewalks.
What to do if you believe your rights have been violated
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The Ucp Heartland Gibbs Center For Independence
The state-of-the-art UCP Heartland Gibbs Center for Independence in Jefferson City opened in Jefferson City, Missouri last year. Built specifically for adults living with disabilities, the center offers things like adult-day programs, residential programs and employment services. The center uses modern developments, such as eye-tracking technology, to allow adults to nonverbally communicate with others.
We love their example of using technology to help adults with disabilities discover new opportunities for their lives.
The founders hope it will be a model for future centers serving individuals with disabilities.
Special Needs Organizations You Should Know About
In case you arent already aware, theres a plethora of organizations offering programs and services to the special needs community of families. What weve done here is narrow the group down to 10 must-see organizations that offer said services to all individuals with disabilities and special needs.
If you havent checked out these fantastic organizations already, please read through the list below to see about which ones would best benefit you and your loved ones with special needs.
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Mentor Network Charitable Foundation
The Foundation was founded by social entrepreneurs who believed that healthy, vibrant communities are exactly the right environments in which people with a range of abilities thrive. The Foundation works to build on The Networks innovative approach to human services by seeking new solutions and creative ideas for enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities individuals with brain and spinal cord injury and youth facing emotional, behavioral, and other challenges and their families.
Christopher And Dana Reeve Foundation
The Foundations Quality of Life grant program, established by the late actor, Christopher Reeve and his late wife, Dana, seeks to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis. The grants are awarded to programs and projects that improve the daily lives of people living with paralysis.
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Learning Disabilities Association Of Ontario
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities. LDAO offers many resources, services, information, venues and products designed to help people with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , as well as parents, teachers and other professionals.
Visit ldao.ca to learn more.
List Of Government And Disability Organizations
Synopsis:List of Government, NGO’s and disability organizations that provide help, support, and assistance for persons with disabilities. The Disabled World list of disability organizations also includes charities and advocacy groups providing services to people with disability. Easter Seals is an international organization providing advocacy, education, outreach, and services for people living with ASD’s as well as other disabilities.
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Special Needs Organizations Changing The World For Individuals And Families
photo by: Jenn Richardson
There are a number of special needs organizations that can help people with disabilities. These organizations provide resources and support for people with special needs, and their families.
They can help with everything from finding housing and employment, to getting the medical care and education that they need. In addition, special needs organizations can provide emotional support and guidance.
They can help people with disabilities navigate the often complicated process of getting the services and accommodations that they need. With the help of special needs organizations, people with disabilities can lead productive, fulfilling lives.
Join Our Fight For Equal Rights For All
The Arc fights every day to protect civil rights and access to vital programs, such as Medicaid, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities . But we cant do it alone! We need the help of people with IDD, their families, and allies of the cause.
Sign up today to receive updates on our movement, take action, and make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
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Texas A& m Aggie Achieve
We love hearing about innovative and inclusive higher education opportunities for individuals with special needs, and this program piqued our interest. Aggie ACHIEVE is a 4-year inclusive education program available at Texas A& M University. Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have exited high school are eligible to participate. Students get an inclusive and immersive college education in addition to internships and vocational training.
This program is localized to Texas A& M so you may or may not be able to participate in it personally. But we love the idea of inclusive and innovative higher education and the possibilities it opens up for other institutions to follow suit.
Great Disability Organizations That Are Not Certified Non
27. Disabled Parents Rights is another one. Disabled Parents Rights is a small organization dedicated to combating discrimination that impacts parenting for parents with disabilities. We provide direct representation, advocacy, and technical assistance to disabled parents, as well as their advocates and attorneys. As a deaf mother , this hits home.
28. The Disability Visibility Project Alice Wong is doing fantastic work with the #CripTheVote project and in gathering people across the disability spectrum under her fold. That project isnt certified but its very worthy, and something worth contributing to. Heres where you can donate.
There are also some very deserving disability-specific and parent-led organizations out there. Heres a short list of a few that I have connections to:
29. Lettercase: Ive loved them forever You know why? Because I was once literally sitting at a table with a doctor telling me that ) should abort my unborn child because she was going to be coming with Down syndrome. When I asked him for more information about lives lived with Down syndrome a brochure? meet someone? See what Down syndrome is like? The doctor said, we dont do that.
Lettercase is trying to change that all-too-common scenario by putting accurate and up-to-date information in the hands of medical practitioners. Its fabulous and very worthy of your money. Donate here.
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Consortium For Citizens With Disabilities
This coalition of national organizations works together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society. The CCD has been responsible for recommending public policy changes in areas like healthcare accessibility and fiscal rights for individuals with disabilities.
We Assist You In Securing A Financial Future For Your Loved Ones
Our Special Needs Trust exists to assist people with disabilities and their families in saving money for the future without losing public benefits, like Medicaid and Social Security that have strict asset caps. The funds invested in the trust will be used to provide security, support, services, and medical care or other supplemental needs not covered by benefits or insurance. This opportunity is available to anyone determined to have a disability by Social Security. Our Special Needs Trust Team includes an Client Advocate who can help you create a future plan and to access needed services.
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Childrens Mental Health Ontario
Childrens Mental Health Ontario is an association representing Ontarios publicly-funded child and youth mental health centres. CMHOs nearly 100 member organizations operate in every region of the province, providing treatment and support to children, youth and families. This includes targeted prevention, early intervention, short- and long-term counselling and therapy, addictions services, and intensive services such as residential care.
Visit cmho.org to learn more.
Craig H Neilson Foundation
The Foundation is dedicated to supporting both programs and scientific research to improve the quality of life for those affected by, and living with, spinal cord injury. The Foundation’s Community Support Grants, the Foundation’s Creating Opportunity & Independence portfolio supports organizations that provide programs and services to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families living with spinal cord injury throughout the United States and Canada.
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Lastly: How To Choose A Disability Charity
My friend Andrew wrote a great post on How to Choose a Disability Charity hes got some great suggestions on things to think about as you move forward and select the disability related organization that you would like to support.
This site is also in need of financial backing if you want to help with keeping it alive and myself able to create these types of informative posts, as well as posts on website development, career counseling, and disability community, please consider donating, or buying t-shirts, book compilations or photos that I make/take thank you! Heres where you can buy something/contribute.
If you know of more great disability related organizations or movements to bookmark, know about and/or support, PLEASE leave the link in the comments of this post so that everyone can benefit.
Thank you.
You Can Buy My Photos I sell many of my photos on my photography website, Meriah Snaps
You can also order things like canvas and metal prints, phone cases, and cool stuff like that. Just click the link below to go to my photo website.
Alternatively, if you subscribe as a Patron, you will get free downloads every month! Be a Patron
We Advocate On Your Behalf
We track legislation and budget changes that will affect the disability community, provide comments and testimony, and represent the needs of people with DD on workgroups and commissions to protect your rights and funding. We work closely with legislators and county officials on crafting policies and programs that meet the needs of the disability community. Annually we organize a large group of concerned advocates to go to Richmond for a statewide DD Advocacy Day with members of our General Assembly. Occasionally we are called upon by our national organization to support advocacy efforts in Congress.
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We Support Your Independence And Decision
Our Services Team works hard as public guardians for a limited number of individuals who are indigent and have no family or loved ones who can serve as their guardian. Our Guardianship of Last Resort program is contracted with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services . We focusing on empowering people with disabilities to voice their opinions and help them reach their goals. Within this contract, The Arc of Northern Virginia has the capacity to serve 50 individuals who are over age 18, indigent, and have no one else to serve.
Organizations For People With Disabilities You Should Know
About 15% of the worlds population, experience some form of disability and 26 percent of adults or 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability.
Below we share some of the organizations that are not only serving that population, but that also support organizations to recruit, retain and advance people with disabilities and build truly inclusive workplaces for all employees.
ADARA promotes and participates in quality human service delivery to people who are deaf and hard of hearing through agencies and individuals. ADARA is a partnership of national organizations, local affiliates, professional sections, and individual members working together to support social services and rehabilitation delivery for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
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Chicano Latinx & Hispanic
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National Coalition for Latinx with Disabilities: Their mission is to to affirm, celebrate, and collectively uplift Latinxs with dis/abilities through community building, advocacy, protection of rights, resources, and education. Their webpage is still under development but they are active on social media
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Deaf Latinos y Familias Organization: A non profit organization dedicated to working with Latino families of children in DeafEd, including Latino Deaf adults, as we integrate family history, traditions, values, and ASL into their lives.
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Latinx Mental Health Podcast: Increases dialogue and representation about mental health in the Latinx community through podcast episodes and engagement on social media platforms.
Disability Foundations And Non
Synopsis:Information on various worldwide disability foundations, community and nonprofit organizations including non-governmental organizations . Private foundations are legal entities set up by an individual, a family, or a group of individuals, for a purpose such as philanthropy. Few people realize how large charities have become, how many vital services they provide, and how much funding flows through them each year.
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Organizations That Support Different Disabilities
Life is always getting better for people with disabilities.
With recent advancements in medical technology and practices, those with disabilities are living longer and healthier lives. This also means organizations that work with those who live with disabilities need more help.
Of course, this isnt a bad thing. It means those organizations are doing the work well and fulfilling their missions.
But this is where you come in.
Volunteering for even just an hour a week can help change peoples lives. And it will certainly change yours. But where do you jump in? Who out there needs your help?
Below, youll find six organizations that support different disabilities.