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RespectAbility urges you to take action in support of key legislation that will increase access to employment, education, voting, and all other aspects of community life. Learn how you can make a difference at the links above.

Making a Difference

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.

Learn More About Our Organization

Resources and Services

headshots of eight diverse people with disabilities. logo for Disability Training & Consulting bureau. Text: "Nothing Without Us." RespectAbility is ready to help make your organization welcoming and inclusive of people with physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health, or other disabilities.

Our Theory of Change

RespectAbility’s theory of change captures how our core programmatic activities intersect to drive long-term impact.

Changing Attitudes: We challenge stigma and amplify authentic narratives on disability – nothing about us, without us!

Advancing Opportunities: We take down barriers to education, employment, and civic life to enable disabled individuals to lead lives of their choosing.

Developing Leaders: We model training and empowering the next generation of leaders in disability advocacy across our pillars.

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RespectAbility Children's Content Lab Fellows smiling together

Recent News

black and white photo of Maureen McEly smiling on the set of her short film Golden Hour with cameras and lighting equipment around her

Directing While Disabled: What I Learned Directing My First Short Film with A Physical Disability

“As I reflect on the film and the filmmaking experience, while going through the process of submitting to festivals, I thought it might be helpful to share what I learned writing, directing, and producing my first short film with a disability, in hopes it might be useful for other aspiring disabled directors.” – Maureen McEly, RespectAbility Entertainment Lab Alum [click to continue…]

The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act Could Change My Life

“If the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act passes, it would help me and many others who constantly worry about going over the asset limit and losing our benefits. Raising the SSI limit to $10,000 would offer a lot more reassurance that I won’t go over the limit, and would enable people like me to have more financial security.” – Frank Liang, RespectAbility Fellow [click to continue…]

Logos for Lever for Change and Yield Giving Open Call. Text reads Yield Giving Open Call Awardee

RespectAbility Receives Gift From the Yield Giving Open Call

“This generous contribution from Yield Giving will enhance our ability to achieve systemic change and foster inclusion across sectors. We will be able to leverage this support to expand our reach and impact, advancing more opportunities for our community, developing future generations of disabled leaders, and creating greater shifts in societal attitudes toward disability.” – Ariel Simms, RespectAbility President and CEO [click to continue…]

Our Advocacy Pillars

Our theory of change empowers us to maximize our efforts across our four advocacy pillars, with unwavering resolve.

Entertainment and News Media: Increase diverse and authentic representation of disabled people in media so people with disabilities are seen for what they can do, instead of what they cannot.

Leadership and Workforce Development: Enable diverse people with disabilities to participate fully in decision-making.

Policy and Civic Engagement: Promote best practices in education, employment, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and access.

Faith Inclusion and Belonging: Ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in faith-based communities.

Six former RespectAbility Fellows stand on stage under a tent holding their white canes

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