Policy Portal: Directory of Consumer Organizations
The Policy Portal is a directory of consumer-oriented organizations NIDILRR grantees can use to promote their research findings and connect with organizations included in the directory. The Center has worked with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and The Arc on the continuous development of the directory.
To be listed below, an organization has met criteria that include it being
- national in scope
- engaged in policy discussions with other disability-oriented organizations and/or policymakers about legislation to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and
- free of commercial interests.
These organizations are therefore well-positioned to apply research findings in their efforts to improve policies that affect the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
Each year, the Center on KTDRR reaches out to the organizations requesting information on their policy priorities. If an organization indicates interest, KTDRR then seeks to identify recent NIDILRR-funded publications that address those informational needs. Then KTDRR shares summaries of the research with the organizations and connects the authors with the organizations’ contact to help foster communication between the NIDILRR researchers and that member of the disability policy community.
NIDILRR grantees and any users may use the Search Function below to narrow the list of organizations by “NIDILRR Outcome Domain” or “Disability Type”.
If you are from a disability advocacy or consumer organization and would like to be added to the list or have your organization’s information updated, please contact
us at ktdrr@air.org for more information about our criteria for inclusion.
Found 47 organizations matching your search.
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.aapd.com/
Address: 2013 H Street NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202-521-4316
Contact: Maria Town, President and CEO
E-mail: communications@aapd.com
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.aahd.us/
Address: 110 North Washington Street, Suite 407, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-545-6140
Contact: Roberta Carlin, Executive Director
Contact Form: https://www.aahd.us/contact/
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Health and function
View in a new windowAAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Website: http://aaidd.org/
Address: 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 202-387-1968
Contact: Margaret Nygren, Executive Director & CEO
E-mail: mnygren@aaidd.org
Disability Type: Developmental/Intellectual disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe ABA is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by burn injury.
Website: http://ameriburn.org/
Address: 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4150, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-642-9260
Contact: Kimberly A. Hoarle, Executive Director
Contact Form: http://ameriburn.org/contact-us/
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowWith the mission of improving lives through interdisciplinary rehabilitation research, ACRM curates and disseminates rehabilitation research in person, in print, and online.
Website: https://acrm.org/
Address: 11654 Plaza America Drive, Suite 535, Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 703-435-5335
Contact: Jon W. Lindberg, Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: info@acrm.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Health and function, Technology and access for function
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.acb.org/
Address: 1703 N Beauregard St, Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 202-467-5081
Contact: Eric Bridges, Executive Director
E-mail: ebridges@acb.org also info@acb.org
Disability Type: Blind/Visual impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Technology and access for function
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.afb.org/
Address: 1401 South Clark Street, Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 212-502-7600
Contact: Eric Bridges, Incoming President & CEO
E-mail: ebridges@afb.org https://www.afb.org/contact
Disability Type: Blind/Visual impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowANCOR's mission is to advance the ability of its members in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fully participate in their communities.
Website: https://www.ancor.org/
Address: 1101 King Street, Suite 380, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-535-7850
Contact: Barbara Merrill, CEO
E-mail: bmerrill@ancor.org also ancor@ancor.org
Disability Type: Developmental/Intellectual disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation
View in a new windowAOTA seeks to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy on behalf of its members, the profession, and the public.
Website: https://www.aota.org/
Address: 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Phone: 301-652-6611
Contact: Sherry Keramidas, Executive Director
Contact Form: https://www.aota.org/about/contact-aota
Disability Type: Developmental/Intellectual disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://aerbvi.org/
Address: 5680 King Centre Drive, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22315
Phone: 703-671-4500
Contact: Mark Richert, President Elect
E-mail: aer@aerbvi.org
Disability Type: Blind/Visual impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowAPRIL 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.
Website: https://www.april-rural.org/
Address: 11324 Arcade Dr, Suite 9, Little Rock, AR 72212
Phone: 501-753-3400
Contact: Billy Altom, Executive Director
E-mail: bwaltom@scbglobal.net
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowAUCD'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.
Website: https://www.aucd.org/template/index.cfm
Address: 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-588-8252
Contact: John Tschida, Executive Director
E-mail: jtschida@aucd.org also aucdinfo@aucd.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowAutism Society of America aims to improve the lives of all those affected by autism.
Website: https://autismsociety.org/
Address: 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: 800-328-8476
Contact: Joe Ireland, Board Member
E-mail: info@autism-society.org
Disability Type: Autism Spectrum
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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!
Website: https://autisticadvocacy.org/
Address: PO Box 66122, Washington, DC 20035
Contact: Julia Bascom, Executive Director
E-mail: info@autisticadvocacy.org
Disability Type: Autism Spectrum
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowAutistic 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.
Website: https://awnnetwork.org/
Address: 5100 Van Dorn St., Suite 6633, Lincoln, NE 68506
Contact: Sharon daVanport, Founding Executive Director
E-mail: lbrown@awnnetwork.org
Disability Type: Autism Spectrum
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.biausa.org/
Address: 3057 Nutley Street #805 Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-761-0750
Contact: Page Melton Ivie, Board Chair
E-mail: info@biausa.org
Disability Type: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowBrain Trauma Foundation (BTF) is a national non-profit organization founded in 1986 whose mission is to translate neuroscience into effective solutions.
View in a new windowCenter 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.
Website: https://www.centerforpublicrep.org/
Address: 22 Green Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: 413-586-6024
Contact: Bob Agoglia, President
E-mail: info@cpr-ma.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, General
View in a new windowCommunicationFirst 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.
Website: https://communicationfirst.org/
Phone: 202-556-0573
Contact: Jordyn Zimmerman
E-mail: info@communicationfirst.org
Disability Type: Speech/Language impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.csavr.org/
Address: 1 Research Court, Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-519-8023
Contact: Stephen A. Wooderson, CEO
E-mail: swooderson@csavr.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment
View in a new windowTo advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development.
Website: https://dredf.org/
Address: 3075 Adeline St, Suite 210, Berkeley, CA 94703
Phone: 510-644-2555
Contact: Susan Henderson, Executive Director
E-mail: info@dredf.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Health and function
View in a new windowFor 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.
Website: https://www.easterseals.com/
Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd., 1400A, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312-726-6200
Contact: Angela F. Williams, President and CEO
E-mail: angelawilliams@easterseals.com also info@easterseals.com
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.epilepsy.com/
Address: 3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie, MD 20716
Phone: 301-459-3700
Contact: Jeff Parent, Board Chair
E-mail: ContactUs@efa.org
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Health and function
View in a new windowThe mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: http://www.bazelon.org/
Address: 1090 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-467-5730
Contact: Holly O’Donnell, CEO
E-mail: communications@bazelon.org
Disability Type: Mental health conditions
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment
View in a new windowLPA 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.
Website: https://www.lpaonline.org/
Address: 617 Broadway, Suite 518, Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 714-368-3689
Contact: Mark Povinelli, President
E-mail: markpovinelli@mac.com
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function, Technology and access for function
View in a new windowNAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Website: https://www.nami.org/
Address: 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 703-524-7600
Contact: Daniel Gillison, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Form: https://www.nami.org/Contact-Us
Disability Type: Mental health conditions
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.aphasia.org/
Address: P.O. Box 87, Scarsdale, NY 10583
Contact: Darlene S. Williamson, President
E-mail: naa@aphasia.org
Disability Type: Speech/Language impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowNational 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.
Website: https://www.nacdd.org/
Address: 1825 K Street NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-506-5813
Contact: Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, President
E-mail: info@nacdd.org
Disability Type: Developmental/Intellectual disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Community living and participation
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: http://nasddds.org/
Address: 301 North Fairfax Street, Suite 101, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-4202
Contact: Mary P. Sowers, Executive Director
E-mail: msowers@nasddds.org
Disability Type: Developmental/Intellectual disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowNASHIA assists state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families.
Website: http://nashia.org/
Address: P.O. Box 1878, Alabaster, AL 35007
Phone: 202-681-7840
Contact: Rebeccah Wolfkiel, Executive Director
E-mail: rwolfkiel@nashia.org
Disability Type: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.nad.org/
Address: 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301-587-1788
Contact: Howard Rosenblum, Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: nad.info@nad.org
Disability Type: Deaf/Hard of hearing
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.nbda.org/
Address: 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, #240-1982, Austin, TX 78741
Contact: Isidore Niyongabo, President
E-mail: president@nbda.org also info@nbda.org
Disability Type: Deaf/Hard of hearing
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, General
View in a new windowOn behalf of people with disabilities, NCSRC advocates for and works in partnership with the national public vocational rehabilitation system's continual quest for excellence.
Website: https://ncsrc.net/
Phone: 334-293-7189
Contact: Graham Sisson, President
E-mail: graham.sisson@rehab.alabama.gov also info@ncsrc.net
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowNCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.
Website: https://www.ncil.org/
Address: 2013 H Street NW, 6th Floor. Washington, D.C. 20006
Phone: 202-207-0334
Contact: Theo Braddy, Executive Director
E-mail: theo@ncil.org also ncil@ncil.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation
View in a new windowNDRN'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.
Website: https://www.ndrn.org/
Address: 820 First St. NE, Suite 740 Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-408-9514
Contact: Marlene Sallo, Executive Director
Contact Form: https://www.ndrn.org/contact/
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
View in a new windowTo achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind.
Website: https://www.nfb.org/
Address: 200 E Wells St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: 410-659-9314
Contact: Mark A. Riccobono, President
E-mail: nfb@nfb.org
Disability Type: Blind/Visual impairments
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Technology and access for function
View in a new windowNOND 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.
Website: https://nond.org/
Contact: Karen Mculloh, Co-Director; Michelle Kephart, Co-Director
Contact Form: https://nond.org/contact/
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowParalyzed 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.
Website: https://www.pva.org/
Address: 801 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C . 20006
Phone: 800-424-8200
Contact: Carl Blake, Executive Director
E-mail: info@pva.org
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowPRA 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.
Website: https://www.psychrehabassociation.org/
Address: 7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 703.442.2078
E-mail: info@psychrehabassociation.org
Disability Type: Mental health conditions
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://www.resna.org/
Address: 2001 K Street, NW 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (703) 524-6686, ext 305
Contact: Andrea Van Hook, Interim Executive Director
E-mail: execoffice@resna.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Technology and access for function
View in a new windowTo 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.
Website: https://www.sabeusa.org/
Address: 255 E Osborn Rd, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Contact: Bernard Baker, President
E-mail: admin@sabeusa.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, Employment, Health and function
View in a new windowAs 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.
Website: https://tash.org/
Address: 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 206, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-817-3264
Contact: Jenny Lengyel, President
E-mail: info@tash.org
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation, General
View in a new windowThe 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.
View in a new windowThe 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.
Website: https://harkininstitute.drake.edu
Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Phone: 515-271-3223
Contact: Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy
E-mail: Daniel.VanSant@drake.edu
Disability Type: Cross-disability
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Community living and participation, Employment, General
View in a new windowUnited Cerebral Palsy's mission is to be the indispensable resource for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, their families, and their communities.
Website: https://ucp.org/
Address: 1825 K Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-776-0406
Contact: Armando Contreras, President & CEO
E-mail: acontreras@ucp.org also info@ucp.org
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: General
View in a new windowUnited 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.
Website: https://www.unitedspinal.org/
Address: 120-34 Queens Boulevard #320, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Phone: 718-803-3782
Contact: Vincenzo Piscopo, President & CEO
E-mail: askus@unitedspinal.org
Disability Type: Physical/mobility-related disabilities
NIDILRR Outcome Domain: Community living and participation