Resources in Disability Rights

The disability rights movement is different from other civil rights struggles, whether the disability rights community realizes it or not, but this is a topic for the opinion page. For hard core disability rights advocates, the focus of the movement is on the attainment of equal stature for disabled folks in society. But for many, getting the needed services is the means to that end. This page tries to list useful groups and organizations to fill those diverse needs.

if you have a suggestion for a resource or category of resources that should be on this page, give us a shout (phil@kermitplace.us).

This page last updated 11/25/2018

Local Disability Rights Organizations & Agencies
	Disabled in Action is a New York City based disability rights organization founded in 1970 by Judy Heumann, Bobbie Linn, Denise McQuaid, Pat Figuero and other local activists. Today, DIA continues as the leading voice on the issues of disabled New Yorkers.
	The 504 Democratic Club is the political arm of the New York disability community. Founded in 1984, it is named after the Rehabilition Act of 1973.
	Downstate New York ADAPT is the local chapter of National ADAPT. Focusing on Long Island and New York City, Downstate ADAPT is active on State and national issues including: Home Care and Personal Assistance, Medicaid Funding, Employment, Transportation and Voter Engagement.
	The Disabilities Network of New York City brings people, organizations, government and industry together to find soultions to the problems faced by New Yorkers with physical, visual and hearing disabilities.
	Innersight is a nonprofit organization committed to providing advocacy for the disabled, both locally and globally. Located in Islip NY, Innersight focuses on issues concerning blindness and vision impairment.
	Operating since 1973, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is the liaison between New York City government and the disability community.
National Disability Rights Organizations
	With offices in California and New York, Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is one of the leading nonprofit disability rights legal centers in the nation. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities nationwide.
	Not Dead Yet, the Resistance is a national, grassroots disability rights group that opposes legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia as deadly forms of discrimination.
	ADAPT (formerly an acronyn for "Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today") is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.
	United Spinal Association Is primarily an information and service organization for the community of people with spinal cord injury or disease. They do however have an incredible advocacy program led by Jim Weisman, one of the authors of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
	The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the full participation and contributions of America’s 57 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life.NOD focuses on increasing employment opportunities for the 80-percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed.
	Established in 1880, The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is a civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
	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.
	National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) is a national cross-disability coalition run by people with disabilities with identifiable grassroots constituencies around the country. NDLA is led by 15 national disability organizations.
	The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a California based non-profit organization that focuses on disability policy, research and consulting. It was founded in 1983, by Ed Roberts, Judy Heumann and Joan Leon.
	The Law, Health Policy, and Disability Center is an emerging leader in law, technology, education and research. They are focused on improving the quality of life for persons living with disabilities. Based at the University of Iowa College of Law and elsewhere, the center concentrates on public policy and its impact on persons with disabilities.
Disability News & Information
Able News	Print and online newspaper serving the disability community of New York City and Long Island
Disability Scoop	Developmental Disability news source offering a newsletter subscription
Disability News Service (DNS)	Disability News Service (DNS) is British news site run by John Pring, an experienced journalist who has been reporting on disability issues for nearly 20 years.
Disabled World	This is a grassroots information site with a slight medical model slant. Its focus is on services and support
Access Press	Local Minnesota disability news
The BBC	The The British Broadcasting Company is one of the best English language news services in the world that regularly and reliably focuses on disability stories.
NCDJ the National Center on Disability and Journalism	Headquartered at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. This site posts stories but also focuses on how people with disabilities and their stories are covered in the media.
	Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.
	The Bazelon Center envisions an America where people who have mental illnesses or developmental disabilities exercise their own life choices and have access to the resources that enable them to participate fully in their communities.
The Burton Blatt Institute	The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities.
	The news page for the Southeast ADA Center (formerly known as Southeast DBTAC), a leader in providing information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability access tailored to the needs of business, government, and individuals at local, state, and regional levels.
	The news page for the Northwest ADA Center -- Providing information, training and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Warren Shaw, Historian	Warren Shaw is a historian specializing in New York City’s political, architectural and cultural history and policy. Of particular interest to Mr. Shaw is the largely undiscussed disability rights movement and its base in New York City during the 1960's and 1970's.
New York Metro Independent Living Centers
	Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York
	Harlem Independent Living Center
	Bronx Independent Living Services
	Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled
	Staten Island Center for Independence Living
	The Long Island Center for Independent Living
	Suffolk Independent Living Organization Inc.
	Westchester Independent Living Center
Regional & National ILC Organizations
National Council on Independent Living	NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.
	Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) is a New York State funded service that provides research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
	The New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, organization. The council is composed of 25 appointees from around the state, who develop, monitor and evaluate the Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). NYSILC works with the New York State Education Department (ACCES-VR), and the Office of Children and Family Services/New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB).
New York City Resources
	Wheely is an application designed to help wheelchair and stroller users better navigate the New York City Subway system as well as provide a useful guide to accessible places in specific neighborhoods.
	Consumer Directed Services is a New York City based organization that helps people seeking personal care workers connect with candidates looking for employment.
	Concepts of Independence, Inc. pioneered the original Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services program (CDPAS) in 1980, enabling severely disabled and chronically ill individuals to hire, train and supervise the Personal Assistant home care worker of their choice.
	Independence Care System is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting senior adults and adults with physical disabilities and chronic conditions to live at home and participate fully in community life.
	Bussani is a dealer of accessible vehicles with more than 40 years of experience in the New York metropolitan area. The web master of this site has been using the services of this family run business for 30 years and recommends them highly.
	Sportaid is a family owned and operated business dealing in wheelchairs, wheelchair parts & accessories, mobility products, automobile hand controls and other merchandise for wheelchair users.
	Dwight is a Man who serves wheelchair users in the New York metropolitan area. He has a Tool Bag with heavy tools and 10 YEARS experience repairing Medical Mobility Equipment. He has the knowledge to properly diagnosis your motorized or manual wheelchair or scooter. From changing batteries to replacing motors he’s done it all and will get you rolling again!
	The Axis Project wants to inspire people to pursue active, meaningful lifestyles by developing and achieving fitness goals, engaging in social activities, and by being engaged members of the community. Our adaptive programming and accessible equipment empowers our members to see beyond their limitations.
	Wheeling Forward is a New York City based nonprofit that helps people with disabilities experience life to the fullest and enable them to see possibility where others see insurmountable obstacles. They work with individuals to provide the advocacy, mentorship, and support services they need to reach their goals, no matter how big or small.