Disability Studies

"The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities." From education to technology to employment, the AAPD sponsors campaigns, pushes for legislation, and connects people with disabilities to resources that can help.

"AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities." With extensive research, news, policy updates, and educational materials, AAIDD is a great place to go to learn and to get involved with regards to intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also host a yearly conference.

"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." Through training and education, legal advocacy, and public policy/legislative development, the DREDF provides news and resources to help those with disabilities.

"Established in 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, Disabled People's International (DPI) was the world's first successful cross-disability endeavour to convert the talk about full and equal participation of persons with disabilities into action. Till today, 30 years after it was formed, DPI continues to be the world's ONLY cross-disability Global Disabled People's Organization (DPO). DPI's goal is to achieve full participation of ALL persons with disabilities in the mainstream of life, through promotion and protection of their human rights. DPI's focus is particularly on those in developing countries who form 80 percent of the world's one billion people with disabilities and 20 percent of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people."

This website provides news, resources, and fact sheets related to all kinds of disabilities, plus some extra features like a "Famous People with Disabilities" section.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides easy-to-understand explanations of different types of mental illness, educates people who have people with mental illnesses in their lives, provides access to support groups of all kinds, and advocates for issues related to mental health.

For organizations relating to specific disabilities, see this Wikipedia list.

A grassroots organization for activism, including civil disobedience, around disability issues.

The latest issue of a journal published by the National Federation of the Blind. It is intended both for group members and as an advocacy tool to reach the larger public.

"The Disability History Museum hosts a searchable Library, Education curricula, and Museum exhibits. These programs are designed to foster research and study about the historical experiences of people with disabilities and their communities." - website

If you are interested in learning more about history, see such studies as Nicholas Mirezoff's book about the extensive activities of deaf artists in 19th century France, Silent Poetry: Deafness, Sign, and Visual Culture in Modern France, available online and in print.

Human Rights Watch monitors and reports on the barriers people with disabilities encounter around the world. This website includes reports, news, and analysis. The Human Rights Watch World Report is also available in print.

Website of resources maintained by the University of California, Berkeley.

An extensive listing of sources published from 1930 to the present.

Website for the fall 2012 exhibition at Haverford College's Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery curated by Amanda Cachia.

A web page explaining technology and accessibility issues.