Disability Studies Guide

As the preeminent ALS organization, The Association leads the way in research, care services, public education, and public policy — giving help and hope to those facing the disease. The Association’s nationwide network of chapters provides comprehensive patient services and support to the ALS community. The mission of The ALS Association is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.

Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.

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 mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.

Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $226 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serving them and their families.

The Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.

There are nearly 20 million veterans in the U.S. Each one has been affected by their service. DAV helps veterans of every generation address their challenges and achieve personal victories, great and small, to better thrive in civilian life.

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.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for more than 35 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.

L’Arche USA strives to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, foster environments that meet our members’ changing needs, and engage in diverse cultures, working toward a more human society.

LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy.

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.

NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.

The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.

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.

The National Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940 and currently headquartered in Baltimore, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

NINDS’ mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease for all people.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a movement by and for all people affected by MS.

NORD helps inform policies that reflect the needs of rare disease patients at the national, state, and local levels. We provide information about rare diseases, patient organizations and other resources. We also promote awareness of rare diseases among physicians and other medical professionals.

RespectAbility is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our mission is to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

We are committed to helping people with Spina Bifida live longer, healthier lives through:
Research, Education & Support, Clinical Care, Network Building, Advocacy

TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization. TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates.

We’re committed to change and progress for adults and children with disabilities, whether it is a disability evidenced from birth, the result of an accident, or as a consequence of aging.

With member organisations around the world, IDA represents the estimated one billion people worldwide living with disabilities. Among them are some of the world’s largest – and most frequently overlooked – marginalised group. With its unique composition, including the foremost international disability rights organisations, IDA is considered by the United Nations System as the most authoritative representation of persons with disabilities on the global level. The cornerstone of our work is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). IDA promotes its effective implementation through coordinated action by representative organisations of persons with disabilities, to ensure compliance of the CRPD at national, regional and international levels.

Disability Rights International was established in 1993 by attorney Eric Rosenthal. Based in Washington DC, Disability Rights International documents human rights abuses, publishes reports on human rights enforcement, and promotes international oversight of the rights of people with disabilities.

Established in 1981, Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) was the world’s first successful cross-disability endeavor to convert the talk about full and equal participation of persons with disabilities into action. Till today, 39 years after it was formed, DPI continues to be the world’s ONLY cross-disability Global Disabled Peoples’ Organization (DPO). DPI is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has a presence in 139 countries through its Member National Assemblies (MNAs) spanning across 7 regions: Africa, Arab, Asia-Pacific, CIS, Europe, Latin America, and North America & Caribbean.

Olmstead v. LC, is a 1999 United States Supreme Court decision which held that people with disabilities have a qualified right to receive state funded supports and services in the community when certain conditions are met. This sub-page directs to resources in Pennsylvania.

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. This page directs to resources in Pennsylvania.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania helps people with disabilities with disability-related problems in employment, education, housing, access to facilities and programs, and access to the opportunity to vote among other efforts.

A commercial website summarizing and categorizing disability resources and benefit programs in Pennsylvania.

This site provides a consolidated list of social services that are administered by the Department of Public Welfare as well as other agencies.

This site provides consolidated resources for applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Pennsylvania.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serving them and their families. This is the sub-page for Pennsylvania.