Disability Activism covers a broad spectrum. Self-advocacy is a necessity. When self-advocacy extends into promoting the needs of the disability community you have become an advocate and a disability activist.
Advocacy is the first step. Identifying a problem that need to be resolved. Resolution comes in many forms. Practical resolutions like improved accessibility in a store or location you frequent. Legal resolutions are court decisions, city ordinances, state or federal laws. The process of enacting legislation starts with effective advocacy. So it is natural some organizations are players in both advocacy and disability rights.
LINKS
These links will help you find organizations and groups whose activities might help you.
Assistance to individuals or groups through organized advocacy. Some organizations focus on the needs of specific disabilities or specific demographics, like students. Other organizations address the broader needs of the disability community.
Specific disability organizations who may offer advocacy, but not as their main focus. Look at the Disability Specific Resources pages for these organizations.
Protecting and promoting the legal right for people with disabilities is the mission for these organizations. Once legislation is enacted the courts become a vital player in protecting disability rights.
CIL’s: Centers for Independent Living
My extensive experience with CIL’s gives me personal knowledge of the wide range of service they provide. As the Executive Director for the disAbility Link, the Atlanta, GA CIL, my staff and I worked with local issues and coordinated with other CIL’s on state and national issues.
Services include helping:
- People with disabilities, their families, friends, loved ones, bosses, coworkers and community members.
- Need information, referrals, peer support, advice, advocacy and someone to talk to about their problems.
- Businesses problems as both vendors and employers include:
- Advice and assistance with Accessibility, Accommodations, ADA compliance, Training and more issues.
- Various local, state and federal agencies need help with:
- ADA compliance and accessibility. Compliance is an issues for them too.
- Disability community outreach and problem resolution.
I also served as a Board Member and Officer for two other CIL’s. Each was similar, yet both provided different services to meet the individual needs of their community.
This link will take you to directories to find the CIL or Center for Independent Living in your state or territory.
