Skip Navigation
Skip to Footer
Disability Belongs trademarked logo with green and blue overlapping droplet shapes and tagline Redefining Narratives Developing Leaders Driving Opportunity.

 

After a thorough and inclusive process, a year in the making, RespectAbility is now known as Disability Belongs™. Our mission, focus, and priorities remain unchanged. By incorporating “disability” into our name, we emphasize that being disabled is part of the human experience. We will continue to push for systemic change for people with disabilities and their intersecting identities. We are proud of RespectAbility’s past work and accomplishments, and we are invigorated by the opportunities yet to come as Disability Belongs™!

blue Learn More button

 

Making a Difference

Disability Belongs™ 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.

blue Learn More button

 

Take Action

The western front of the United States CapitolVisit our Action Center to discover simple yet impactful ways to drive change on policy issues and legislation affecting the disability community. A little bit of your time and advocacy can make a powerful difference!

blue Take Action button

Resources and Services

Graphic advertising Disability Belongs with a photo of Board and Staff from the organization together in person in DC and large text reading Nothing without us.Disability Belongs™ 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.

RespectAbility Children's Content Lab Fellows smiling together

Recent News

Workplace Misconceptions of Disability Contributing to the Employment Gap

In 2024, 37% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared to 75% of working-age people without disabilities. This disparity is largely due to accessibility challenges, harmful misconceptions, and the pervasive stigma surrounding disability. The challenge for people with disabilities isn’t their ability to succeed in a career. The issue is that disabled individuals encounter more obstacles to employment. [click to continue…]

graphic of two people with speech bubbles. one speech bubble has an accessibility icon and the other has a thumbs up. text reads Accessibility as a Foundation of Inclusion

Accessibility as a Foundation of Inclusion

Accessibility is not just a checklist to tick off; it is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that all members, from every background and belief, feel truly valued and embraced. [click to continue…]

icon of a megaphone with sound waves coming out of it. text reads Combatting Misinformation. Understanding the Facts About Autism

Combatting Misinformation: Understanding the Facts About Autism 

Recent and far-reaching rhetoric has brought to light yet again some of the most popular misconceptions about autism. In line with Disability Belongs™’ mission to fight stigmas and advance opportunities, we want to ensure that harmful language and misunderstandings about disability, neurodivergence, and autism do not continue to spread unchecked in society. Here are some common myths about autism and some of the facts you should know. [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

Homepage – Join Us Section (SET HOMEPAGE FEATURED IMAGE HERE)

Sign Up For Newsletters

Fill out the form below to receive emails based on your interests!










    Skip to Footer

    Connect with us:

    Disability Belongs on Facebook
    Disability Belongs on Instagram
    Disability Belongs on YouTube
    Disability Belongs on LinkedIn

    Disability Belongs – Formerly RespectAbility

    Contact Us

    Mailing Address:
    Disability Belongs™
    43 Town & Country Drive
    Suite 119-181
    Fredericksburg, VA 22405

    Office Number: 202-517-6272

    Email: Info@DisabilityBelongs.org

    Operational Excellence

    Disability Belongs™ is recognized by GuideStar at the Platinum level, and has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
    © 2025 Disability Belongs™. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Cool Gray Seven   |   Site Development by Web Symphonies   |   Privacy   |   Sitemap

    Back to Top

    Translate »