Policy Portal: Directory of Consumer Organizations

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. 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 AAHD is to advance health promotion and wellness initiatives for children and adults with disabilities. AAHD works to reduce health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population, and supports full community inclusion and accessibility. AAHD accomplishes its mission through advocacy, education, public awareness, and research efforts at the federal, state, and community levels.

AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The ABA is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury.

With the mission of improving lives through interdisciplinary rehabilitation research, ACRM curates and disseminates rehabilitation research in person, in print, and online.

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.

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. It works to mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practicies using research and data.

ANCOR's mission is to advance the ability of its members in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fully participate in their communities.

AOTA seeks to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy on behalf of its members, the profession, and the public.

The mission of AER is to serve and empower professionals to deliver standards-based practices that lead to improved educational and rehabilitative outcomes for individuals with visual impairment and blindness.

APRIL provides leadership and resources on rural independent living. As a national membership organization, APRIL is dedicated to advancing the rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities in rural America by serving as a center of resources and by leading systems change.

AUCD's mission is to advance policies and practices that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of all people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities by supporting its members in research, education, health, and service activities that achieve its vision.

Autism Society of America aims to improve the lives of all those affected by autism.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network's mission is to provide community, support and resources for autistic women, girls, transfeminine and transmasculine nonbinary and genderqueer people, trans people of all genders, Two Spirit people, and all others of marginalized genders.

The mission of the BIAA is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury.

Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1986 whose mission is to translate neuroscience into effective solutions.

Center for Public Representation (CPR) is dedicated to enforcing and expanding the rights of people with disabilities and others who are in segregated settings. CPR uses legal strategies, advocacy, and policy to design and implement systemic reform initiatives to promote their integration and full community participation. Working on state, national and international levels, CPR is committed to equality, diversity and social justice in all its activities.

CommunicationFirst aims to educate the public, advocate for policy reform, and engage the judicial system to advance the rights, autonomy, opportunity, and dignity of people with speech-related communication disabilities and conditions.

The mission of CSVAR is to maintain and enhance a strong, effective and efficient national program of public vocational rehabilitation which, in partnership with education, business, and the workforce system, empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into our communities.

To advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.

For more than 100 years, Easterseals has served as an indispensable resource for individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors and their families. Together, Easterseals affiliates in communities nationwide serve 1.5M people through high-quality programs including autism services, early intervention, workforce development, adult day care and more. In schools, workplaces and communities, we’re fostering environments where everyone is included and valued — with a real and positive impact on us all. Join us in ensuring that everyone – regardless of age or ability – is 100% included and 100% empowered.

The Epilepsy Foundation's mission is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives.

The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.

The mission of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the civil rights of adults and children with mental illness or developmental disabilities. We envision a society where Americans with mental disabilities live with autonomy, dignity, and opportunity in welcoming communities, supported by law, policy, and practices that help them reach their full potential.

LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism throughout their lives while celebrating with great pride Little People’s contribution to social diversity. LPA strives to bring solutions and global awareness to the prominent issues affecting individuals of short stature and their families.

NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The Mission of the National Aphasia Association is to promote public awareness and understanding of aphasia and provide support to all persons with aphasia and their caregivers.

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is an outcomes-oriented, mission-driven organization. NACDD leads the way in advancing issues that improve the lives of people with DD and their families by actively listening to all stakeholders, identifying and exploring emerging trends, and proactively reaching out to collaborate with a variety of leaders and organizations to develop effective solutions. NACDD’s values include: Self-Determination, Inclusion, Diversity, Learning, Innovation, Collaboration, Communication, and Accountability.

The NASDDDS mission is to assist member state agencies in building person-centered systems of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

NASHIA assists state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families.

The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States of America.

The Mission of the National Black Deaf Advocates is to promote the leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people.

On behalf of people with disabilities, NCSRC advocates for and works in partnership with the national public vocational rehabilitation system's continual quest for excellence.

NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.

NDRN's mission is to promote the integrity and capacity of the protection and advocacy (P&A) and client assistance program (CAP) national network and to advocate for the enactment and vigorous enforcement of laws protecting civil and human rights of people with disabilities.

To achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind.

NOND is an open membership, cross-disability, professional organization that works to promote equity for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions in nursing through education and advocacy by: promoting best practices in education and employment; providing resources to individuals, nursing and disability organizations, and educational and healthcare institutions; influencing the provision of culturally responsive nursing practice; and creating systemic improvements.

Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members — veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

PRA advocates for ethical and effective resiliency, wellness and recovery oriented services and supports. It seeks to improve the qualifications of our workforce through the highest standards of certification and professional education to ensure that children and adults with behavioral health concerns thrive in their roles and communities as full citizens.

The purpose of RESNA shall be to contribute to the public welfare through scientific, literary, professional and educational activities by supporting the development, dissemination, and utilization of the knowledge and practice of rehabilitation engineering and rehabilitation and assistive technology in order to achieve the highest quality of life for all citizens.

To ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equals and that they are given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up to empower themselves; opportunities to make new friends, and to learn from their mistakes.

As a leader in disability advocacy for 40 years, the mission of TASH is to promote the full inclusion and participation of children and adults with significant disabilities in every aspect of their community, and to eliminate the social injustices that diminish human rights.

The mission of the Arc is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The Harkin Institute located at Drake University serves as a venue and catalyst for dynamic non-partisan research, learning, and outreach to promote understanding of the policy issues to which Senator Tom Harkin devoted his career. These issues include policy issues that affect people with disabilities, with a special focus on policy issues around the competitive, integrated employment of people with disabilities. The Harkin Institute's disability work is at the intersection of self-advocates, the private sector, and public sector and operates across state, national, and international levels.

United Cerebral Palsy's mission is to be the indispensable resource for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, their families, and their communities.

United Spinal Association is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), and providing support and information to loved ones, care providers and professionals. USA believes no person should be excluded from opportunity based on their disability. Its 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.