National Level Support Groups


NCIL(National Centers for Independently Living) is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. http://www.ncil.org

APRIL (Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living) is a national grass roots, consumer controlled, nonprofit membership organization consisting of centers for independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, other organizations and individuals concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America. http://www.april-rural.org

ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in non-violent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. http://www.adapt.org

ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels. The ADA National Network consists of ten Regional ADA National Network Centers located throughout the United States that provides personalized, local assistance to ensure that the ADA is implemented wherever possible. We are not an enforcement or regulatory agency, but a helpful resource supporting the ADA’s mission to “make it possible for everyone with a disability to live a life of freedom and equality.” http://www.adata.org

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)support public education efforts that are focused on educating America about mental illness, offering resources to those in need and insisting that mental illness become a high national priority. http://www.nami.org

ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization)founded in 1975, has a long history of providing research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, the Americans with Disabilities Act, home and community based services and health issues for people with disabilities. http://www.ilru.org

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund  is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. http://www.dredf.org

AAPD(American Association of People with Disabilities)  the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). http://www.aapd.com

Alliance for Technology Access is an international network connecting families, consumers, organizations, technology developers, educators, and other professionals to build a future that is accessible to everyone. We promote a consumer-directed service model, which allows people to obtain direct experience and make their own informed decisions. We recognize the changing need for technology over the course of a person's life, and therefore serve people of all ages and all disabilities. We provide access to training on products, funding, and services, through our ATA Online Community. http://www.ataccess.org

National Agrability Project  The vision of AgrAbility is to enable a high quality lifestyle for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities. While the term "disability" often brings to mind conditions such as spinal cord injuries and amputations, AgrAbility addresses not only these but also many other conditions, such as arthritis, back impairments, and behavioral health issues. Through education and assistance, AgrAbility helps to eliminate (or at least minimize) obstacles that inhibit success in production agriculture or agriculture-related occupations. http://www.agrability.org

American Foundation for the Blind is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for the more than 25 million people with vision loss in the U.S. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB's work in these areas is supported by its strong presence in Washington, DC, ensuring the rights and interests of Americans with vision loss are represented in our nation's public policies. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than forty years that Helen Keller dedicated to working with AFB. Contact information: 1-800-AFB-LINE (232-5463) http://www.afb.org