Disability Belongs™ drives cultural and policy change to ensure our full representation and influence, creating a more accessible, equitable, and inclusive society.
Who We Are
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 drive cultural and policy change to ensure our full representation and influence, creating a more accessible, equitable, and inclusive society.
Disability Belongs™ Staff
Disability Belongs™ knows that most people with disabilities can and want to fully participate in – and contribute to – all aspects of society. Disability Belongs™ shifts narratives and creates progress by centering people with lived disability experience in leadership roles, ensuring authentic representation in entertainment and news media, advancing successful public policy, and pushing for faith-based and other inclusion. The following are Disability Belongs™’ core programmatic areas:
- Entertainment and 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 and Spirituality – Ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in faith-based communities.
Theory of Change
Disability Belongs™’ theory of change captures how our core programmatic activities intersect to drive long-term impact.
Redefining Narratives: We challenge stigma and amplify authentic narratives on disability – nothing about us, without us!
Developing Leaders: We model training and empowering the next generation of leaders in disability advocacy across our pillars.
Driving Opportunity: We take down barriers to education, employment, and civic life to enable disabled individuals to lead lives of their choosing.
Learn More
- Read Our Strategic Plan
- Meet Our Board of Directors and Advisors
- Meet Our Staff
- Meet Our Fellows
- Apply to Work at Disability Belongs™
- Apply to be a Disability Belongs™ Fellow
Commitment to Equity & Accessibility
Disability Belongs™ knows we are stronger and better when we are accepting, welcoming and respectful of all people. Since day one, Disability Belongs™ had board-approved intentional diversity and equality policies. We are a “Nothing About Us Without Us” organization.
Disability Belongs™ provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Disability Belongs™ complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Disability Belongs™ Executive Committee
Disability Belongs™ has a commitment to individual and organizational efforts to build respect, dignity, fairness, compassion, equality and self-esteem in order to create an environment that is inclusive of all throughout our organization and the disability community. We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages and experiences.
People with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the United States. In fact, one-in-five people in America has a disability, and this includes people from all genders, races, sexual orientations and other minorities. In addition, due to accident, aging or illness, disability can impact anyone at any time. Disability Belongs™ believes all people with developmental, physical, sensory, mental health and other disabilities deserve to be able to achieve their hopes and dreams, just like anyone else.
Learn More: Accessibility, Equity, and Belonging
Join Us
Disability Belongs™ is looking for more volunteers and partners to end stigmas and enable people with disabilities to achieve success. We invite you to join us as we champion a better future for all of us.
If you would like more information about Disability Belongs™, email us at Info@DisabilityBelongs.org.
