Advocacy
Advocacy Resources
“Nothing about us, without us.” – James Charlton
Civil and Human Rights
Disability Rights California
"Protecting and advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities across California for more than 40 years."
Disability Rights Advocates
"To advance the rights, inclusion, and equity of people with disabilities through high-impact litigation, education and advocacy."
Pacific ADA Center
"The purpose of the Pacific ADA Center is to build a partnership between the disability community and the general public by enhancing understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through education and technical assistance."
ADAPT
"Defends the right for people with disabilities to live in their own homes and not nursing facilities."
"ADAPT strives to promote and embrace of the differences among us, our similar struggles and our shared efforts to shake free those institutions that bind us physically, socially and mentally."
Office of Client's Rights Advocacy (OCRA)
For regional center clients call: 1-800-390-7032
(Northern California)
(Southern California)
1-877-669-6023 (TTY)
James Cerebral Palsy Foundation
"Our mission is to empower Individuals with disabilities to advocate for themselves by providing them with the resources and training they need to achieve their goal of being their own advocate."
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
"AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
Youth for Human Rights
A simplified version of the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been created especially for young people.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
DREDF
Leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.
Job Accommodation Network
Find your answers about workplace accommodations or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation.
United Nation Department of Economic and Social Affairs Disability
Promoting the rights and advancements of the disability community.
Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee
Advancing community living, inclusion, and integration across California.
Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA)
The organization represents California’s network of 21 independent, non-profit regional centers that advocate on behalf of and coordinate services for California’s nearly 400,000 people with developmental disabilities.
Voting Outreach Tools
Participants Create ‘Our Voices Matter’ Advocacy Group
The Our Voices Matter advisory committee, which officially began in early 2022, promotes and advocates for their individual rights, and the rights of all participants who utilize ESSC services. They also support and encourage Person-Centered Culture and Practices (PCCP) within Easterseals Adult Day Services culture with monthly Boot Camp training sessions.
Access Advocates
Access Advocates is a team of caring professionals who help you make buildings more accessible per the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).
We are recognized by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) as one of the premier companies in the United States dealing with Federal Compliance issues.
Intersecting Communities
Dis-Queer Support Group
A Disability LGBTQIA+ Support Group
LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities often report feeling isolated from both the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities, as well as a lack of education on issues such as relationships and sexual health that fits their needs. Each month we’ll cover a specific topic, where we’ll share resources, insight and personal stories to learn and grow together as advocates. Topics will be based on the interests and concerns of group members.
Know Your Rights: Police Interactions for Black and Brown People
Black and Brown people are also more likely to be detained, handcuffed, searched, and have police point guns at them. These encounters aren’t just stressful; as history and recent events have shown, they can be deadly.
Here is information to let you know what your constitutional rights are during police interactions.
World Institute on Disability (WID)
The WID advances the inclusion, rights and justice of people with disabilities with the design and delivery of whole community solutions. We believe in the power of people with disabilities to lead, and that lived experience is critical in creating effective policies, systems, tools, products, and services.
Los Angeles LGBT Center
"Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center's nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy.”
ZigZag Pride
4th Thursday
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
"Empowered space for the Disabled LGBTQ+ community. Celebrate Disability Pride! The group is open to all members of LGBTQ+ community with disabilities."
For additional questions & information, send an email to groups@lalgbtcenter.org or call 323-860-7332.
National Disability Organization Resources
The Office of Accessible Education at Stanford University shares a list of national resources and organizations for the disability community that intersects with other communities.
Bienestar Human Services
Bienestar Human Services is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities. Bienestar accomplishes this through: community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy and the provision of direct social support services.
The Color of Autism Foundation Connecting Families to Culturally Competent Support
"Our goal is to end the stigma of Autism Spectrum Disorders in communities of color. We are devoted to building efficacy and empowering families to lessen their isolation."
National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities
"We imagine a society in which the human rights of Latinxs with disabilities are upheld and all their intersecting identities are embraced."
Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California
"Breaking down barriers faced by Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities by providing information and education to the community, training young adults to become advocates, and connecting families to resources."
Fiesta Educativa
"The mission of Fiesta Educativa Inc. is to provide information and training to Latino families on how to obtain services for all persons with disabilities.
Fiesta Educativa (Main Office)
2310 Pasadena Ave., Suite #204
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 221-6696
Trans Affirmation Coloring Book
If you're transgender, non-binary, or another gender under the wide and wonderful trans umbrella, this book is for you. With ten coloring pages celebrating trans identity, beauty, and relationships, the Trans Affirmation Coloring Book is a reminder to treat yourself kindly, because who you are is amazing.
The Trans Affirmation Coloring Book is also available as a free download at gumroad.com/theonicole
Stanford’s Office of Accessible Education
There are a variety of organizations across the country that are dedicated to fostering community for individuals with disabilities who are in higher education. Many of these organizations also address the vital importance of recognizing the intersectionality of disability with other identities an individual may hold.
Rainbow Group
The Rainbow Group is for people with a developmental disability who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning their sexual identity. We believe it is our responsibility to help people with developmental disabilities be safe in their exploration of their sexuality. Participants discuss the same concerns as other L.G.B.T.Q. people, but they do it in a support system that recognizes their unique perspective.
