List of Links

The links from this page can take you to the web sites for major international and regional DPOs; major international and regional human rights organizations with a disability focus; databases that can help you locate still more, smaller organizations of interest; and on-line discussion groups and forums.

International and Regional DPOs
Human Rights Organizations
Find More Organizations and Resources
On-line Discussion Groups and Forums

International and Regional DPOs

Find major international and regional DPOs.

International Disability Alliance (IDA)
www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/
IDA acts as a spokesperson for the international disability movement in global policy matters and facilitates co-operation and informational exchange among international disability organizations. It is formed from a network representing Disabled Peoples’ International, Inclusion International, International Federation of Hard of Hearing People, Rehabilitation International, World Blind Union, World Federation of the Deaf, World Federation of the Deafblind, and World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry.

Disability Rights Promotion International
www.yorku.ca/drpi/
DPRI is a collaborative project working to establish a monitoring system to address disability discrimination globally. Has affiliates in Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Croatia, India, Kenya, and Sweden. Their website offers materials that can help readers learn how the UN Human Rights system works, and links to resources and publications on DPRI initiatives and other disability rights initiatives generally.

Disabled Peoples’ International
www.dpi.org/
DPI is a network of national organizations or assemblies that promote the human rights of people with disabilities and promote their economic and social integration. Has a collection of on-line publications, articles, and reports related to people with disabilities around the world. Consult their list of national assemblies to locate the one in your country. Their website is available in English, Spanish, or French.

Handicap International
www.handicap-international.org/
Supports the efforts of people with disabilities to become more self-reliant. Has set up programs in about 60 countries and intervenes in emergency situations. Its main home page leads to eight different websites, one for each country that hosts a national office.

Rehabilitation International
riglobal.org/
A global network of people with disabilities, service providers, researchers, government agencies, and advocates who promote and implement the rights, inclusion, and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Has more than 700 member organizations in nearly 100 countries.

Center for International Rehabilitation
www.cirnetwork.org/
Sponsors two websites that may be of interest to DPOs. Their International Disability Education Alliance Network (IDEAnet) facilitates the exchange of knowledge and information among individuals and organizations working on disability issues, including human rights. Their International Disability Rights Monitor reports the results of research into the status of human rights for people with disabilities around the world. See their links to regional reports on human rights.

World Wide Network on Disability and Human rights
www.disabilitynet.net/
Works in support of the CRPD by enabling activists and relevant networks world wide to exchange experiences and best practices with each other. DPOs can use the site to exchange knowledge and discuss disability rights issues.

Disability Awareness in Action
www.daa.org.uk/
DAA is an international human rights network run by and for people with disabilities. Its efforts are particularly focused on people in developing countries. Has a briefing paper on disability and development; resource kits on topics such as organization building, fund-raising, disabled women, and civil rights law; and a collection of links. Also see their Manifesto for Disability Equality in Development Cooperation.

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters
www.wasli.org/
Offers information relevant to deaf and hearing sign language interpreters around the world. See their newsletter and country reports for information on the status of the sign language interpreting profession, and access to sign language interpreters for deaf people, in countries around the world.

Enabling Education Network
www.eenet.org.uk/
Focuses on inclusive education in developing countries. Promotes regional networking and information sharing. The Bibliographies section points readers to sources of documents, training tools, and other materials related to inclusive education. Has documents in a wide range of languages including Arabic, Bahasa, French, Kishwali, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Thai, and Urdu.

Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC)
www.addc.org.au/
Promotes the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in development activities. Its primary focus is on integrating disability into all Australian development programs and policies. Has an extensive collection of links to international organizations, including those focused on disability issues or on development issues in general. Has links to reports, fact sheets, guidelines, and other resources on emergency and conflict situations; disability and poverty; disability advocacy; mainstreaming disability into development projects; and making public infrastructure accessible.

Bezev.de, disability and development cooperation, behinderung un entwiclungszusammenarbeit e.v.
bezev.de/bezev/index_e.htm
Bezev is an education and information center that campaigns for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the global fight on poverty. Has links to relevant publications. Their website, and linked publications is available in both English and German.

World Institute on Disability (WID)
www.wid.org/
Founded by leaders in the independent living movement, WID works to strengthen the disability movement through research, training, advocacy and public education. Has some publications and other web content on international development.

International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC)
www.iddc.org.uk/
IDDC promotes the rights of people with disabilities through collaboration and the exchange of information. Has links to publications on a range of topics related to disability and development and key topics such as HIV/AIDS. Click on “disability and development topics.”

RatifyNow
RatifyNow.org
RatifyNow is an international nonprofit organization that supports grassroots advocates worldwide working to persuade their nation to ratify, implement, and enforce the CRPD. Membership is free and open to both individuals and organizations. Members may sign up for RatifyNow’s email-based discussion group through their website. Their website is updated regularly with news about the CRPD, upcoming events, best practices, and advocacy toolkits.

Mental Disabilities Rights International
www.mdri.org/
Promotes the human rights and full participation in society of people with mental disabilities worldwide. Publishes reports that document human rights abuses against people with intellectual disabilities and psycho-social disabilities. Also has a collection of links relevant to human rights for people with mental disabilities.

Sense International
www.senseinternational.org/index.php
Works to strengthen the ability of families, local organizations, and professionals in developing countries to meet the needs of deafblind people in their communities. Has regional offices in Latin America, Romania, India, and East Africa.

Inclusion International
www.inclusion-international.org/
Inclusion International works to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families around the world. Periodically publishes reports on the living conditions of people with intellectual disabilities and their families worldwide. Links to toolkits and other on-line resources are available under the “priority areas” section of their website. Topics include the CRPD, poverty reduction, children and families, inclusive education, self-advocacy, and human rights. II has more than 200 member organizations in 115 countries; consult their membership directory to locate organizations in your country. Their website is available in English, Spanish, or French.

International Federation of the Hard of Hearing
www.ifhoh.org/
Promotes co-operation and exchange of information among organizations of hard of hearing people; co-operates with international organizations and national governments on issues of concern to hard of hearing people and their organizations. Has member organizations in nearly 30 countries.

World Blind Union
www.worldblindunion.org
Speaks on behalf of blind and partially sighted people in about 600 organizations in 178 individual member countries. Advocates for the human rights of people who are blind and partially sighted; strengthens their organizations; and advances their participation. Their website is available in English, French, or Spanish.

World Federation of the Deaf
www.wfdeaf.org/
Acts as spokes-organization for deaf people around the world. Has released policy papers and other documents on a range of topics related to deaf people and signed languages. Has member organizations in more than 100 countries.

World Federation of the Deafblind
www.wfdb.org/
The WFDB is a representative organization of national organizations of deafblind people worldwide. It promotes the exchange of knowledge and experiences among deafblind people to achieve the inclusion and full participation of deafblind people in all areas of society. Has links to other deafblind organizations around the world.

World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry
www.wnusp.net/
The WNUSP is a global voice of users and survivors of psychiatry. It works to promote the human rights and interests of people with psycho-social disabilities. Has links to an extensive collection of materials on the CRPD, including WNUSP position papers; information about the negotiation process; and advocacy materials that DPOs can use in promoting the implementation of the CRPD. Some materials are available in English; others are available in Spanish; or both.

Red de Iberoamericana de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales de Personas con Discapacidad y sus Familias
www.riadis.org/
The Ibero-American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of People with Disabilities and their Families promotes, organizes, and coordinates actions for the defense of human rights and fundamental liberties for people with disabilities and their families in Latin America. Their website is in Spanish.

European Disability Forum
www.edf-feph.org/
The EDF represents the interests of people with disabilities in the European Union and stands for their human rights. Works to ensure that no decisions concerning people with disabilities are made without their participation. Has member organizations throughout Europe.

Disabled Peoples’ Organizations – Denmark (DPOD)
www.disability.dk/
This organization strives to contribute to the development and construction of strong organizations of people with disabilities in developing countries, and to persuading governments in developing countries respect the human rights of people with disabilities. Currently has programs in 12 countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam

Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development
www.iidi.org/
Promotes the inclusion and autonomy of people with disabilities and their families in the inter-American region. Includes a special focus on human rights and inclusive development. Generates and disseminates knowledge; provides training, capacity building, and mobilization for DPOs and civil society; technical assistance to governments and the development sector. The IIDI website is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Action on Disability and Development
www.add.org.uk/index.asp
Supports DPOs in Africa and Asia so they can actively promote the rights of all adults and children with disabilities to be fully included in society. Influences policy makers and development organizers to include the rights and needs of people with disabilities in all their work. Currently works in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, India, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

African Union of the Blind
www.afub-uafa.org/
An umbrella organization of national associations of and for blind and partially sighted people in Africa. Has member organizations in more than 50 African countries. Has publications and reports on gender issues; HIV/AIDS training; youth with disabilities; and human rights.

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability
www.apcdproject.org/
Promotes the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region. Facilitates regional networking and collaboration among disability-related government and non-governmental organizations; provides training to grass-roots leaders with disabilities; and encourages organizations to share and disseminate disability-related information throughout the region.

The Open Society Mental Health Initiative
www.osmhi.org/
This organization works in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to ensure that people with psycho-social disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities are able to live in the community and participate in society with full respect for their human rights. Has links to human rights instruments and resources relevant to people with psycho-social and/or intellectual disabilities. Advocates working on Article 12 of the CRPD (legal capacity; the right to make one’s own decisions) may be particularly interested in their links on supported decision making, which can be used as an alternative to guardianship.

The Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities
www.africandecade.org
This organization is dedicated to promoting the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities. Has informational materials, resources, and toolkits relevant to disability advocates across the African continent.

Asia and Pacific Disability Forum
www.normanet.ne.jp/~apdf/index.html
Promotes the second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, through implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action toward an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Pesons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Has dozens of member organizations throughout the Asian region.

Unión Latinoamericana de los Ciegos
www.fbraille.com.uy/ulac/
The Latin American Union of the Blind works to prevent blindness and improve the living situation of blind people in Latin America. Has a listing of organizations of blind people throughout Latin America.

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Human Rights Organizations

Find major international human rights organizations that include a disability focus, or that have resources useful for DPOs.

United Nations Enable Website
www.un.org/disabilities/
The front page of the UN Enable website has the latest updates on which countries have signed or ratified the CRPD and the Optional Protocol. The website also has links to the full text of the CRPD in multiple languages; a “Frequently Asked Questions” document about the CRPD, with answers; announcements and press releases; links to information and fact sheets about disability in development; and information about disability-related work throughout the United Nations system.

Disability Section of Website for Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disability/
This web site can lead readers to information about a range of human rights treaties that touch upon disability issues. Also leads to information about various committees that monitor how well human rights are implemented and what is being done to ensure that disability issues are integrated into OHCHR activities. The web site is available in English, Spanish, and French.

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights
www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crpd/
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is critical to monitoring the implementation of the CRPD. All countries that have ratified the treaty must submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights protected in the CRPD are being implemented in their countries. Under the Optional Protocol to the CRPD, the Committee also may investigate individual complaints about violations of human rights under the CRPD. This website offers information on the CRPD, and instructions on how to submit individual complaints.

National Human Rights Institutions Forum
www.demotemp360.nic.in/
Shares information about, and for, National Human Rights Institutions around the world. This website offers key global and regional documents on human rights and links to research material, human rights documents, and agencies devoted to human rights. Individual nation-wide human rights institutions are usually involved with promoting and protecting human rights in their country, including investigation and resolution of human rights complaints. Many also educate the general public about human rights. Consult the directory of national human rights institutions to locate the one in your country; this listing is organized by region. Also see their listing of documents related to disability and human rights.

International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights
www.interights.org/
Promotes respect for human rights through the use of law; provides legal expertise to lawyers, judges, human rights defenders, and other partners on international and comparative human rights law. Includes a strategic litigation focus on disability as one part of their work. Their website offers a legal resource library; a database of international human rights legal cases;

Amnesty International
www.amnesty.org/
Works to defend human rights around the world. Offers an extensive library of documents related to human rights, including many of its own reports on the status of human rights in many different countries. Includes some information related to people with disabilities; try relevant key-word searches such as “disabilities”; “deaf”; etc. This organization also has encouraged campaigns to support the human rights of people with disabilities, such as people with Down’s Syndrome in Russia. Has web content in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish.

Human Rights Watch
hrw.org
Dedicated to protecting human rights around the world, the Human Rights Watch investigates claims of human rights abuses, exposes them to the world, and helps hold abusers accountable. Has an extensive collection of on-line information and publications about human rights abuses around the world. See their page on women with disabilities. Has web content in many different languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and more.

Center for Justice and International Law
cejil.org/
Established by human rights defenders in Latin America and the Caribbean, CEJIL works to achieve the full implementation of international human rights norms in the member States of the Organization of American States (OAS). Offers a Legal Defense Program; training for local organizations and human rights defenders; and a campaign to strengthen the Inter-American System of Human Rights.

Witness
www.witness.org/index.php
Witness is an on-line global community that uses video and on-line technologies to help expose human rights violations around the world. Provides training to its partner organizations in how to use video to document human rights abuses as part of their advocacy work. Witness has worked with Mental Disability Rights International and other organizations to help produce films on the human rights of people with disabilities.

International Women’s Rights Action Watch
iwraw.igc.org/
IWRAW is the primary international non-governmental organization that facilitates the use of human rights treaties to promote women’s human rights and rights within families. Has an on-line collection of reports on the status of human rights for women in countries around the world. They also offer a guide on writing shadow reports on the status of human rights.

Organization of American States
www.oas.org/
Unites the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Works to strengthen democracy; promote human rights; and confront shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs, and corruption. See their page on the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, 2006-2016, for links to documents on the Latin American Decade, on the CRPD, and on the Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against People with Disabilities. Web content available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

Human Rights Treaties Library
www1.umn.edu/humanrts/treaties.htm
Here, you can find the full text for various human rights treaties around the world. Search by topic area (including disability), or by key word. Or search by country to find out which of the existing international human rights treaties your countries has signed, ratified—or ignored.

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More Organizations and Resources

Looking for smaller or more local DPOs that are not listed here? Need more human rights resources? These links can take you to databases and listings that can help you find them.

Mobility International USA (MIUSA) International Development and Disability program
www.miusa.org/idd
MIUSA’s International Development and Disability program acts as a bridge between the disability community and international development community to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities as leaders and participants in development. Follow the link to sign up for email updates on disability and international development topics or to locate resources related to international development and disabilities, including women with disabilities.

Mobility International USA (MIUSA) Organization Database
www.miusa.org/orgsearch
Offers an on-line database of local, national, regional, and international DPOs around the world. Includes both cross-disability and specific-disability organizations. Searchable by region, by country, or by disability.

Organizations for Deafblind People Throughout the World
www.deafblind.com/org.html
Look for organizations run by and for deafblind people around the world.

Listing of Disabled Women’s Organizations in the Pacific-Asia Region
wecando.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/resource-disabled-womens-organizations-in-pacific-asia/
This page lists Disabled Women’s Organizations, Groups, and Committees in the Asia/Pacific Region (plus a few in Africa). Includes web links, email addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers when available. This listing was developed at the International Labour Organisation in Bangkok in December 2007.

Who’s Who in Disability and Development
go.worldbank.org/DX34O72HO2
Offers an extensive list of links to mainstream organizations in the international development community. Many of these organizations include a focus on disability as one part of their activities. The list includes multi-lateral donors (development banks); bi-lateral donors (government agencies devoted to development); organizations committed to corporate social responsibilities (i.e., businesses that try to behave responsibly); foundations; bibliographic sources; and sources for statistics.

DisAbilityknowledge.org
www.disabilityknowledge.org/index.html
This database offers a wide range of reports, studies, and other materials related to disabilities. Some of its materials are in English; some are in Hungarian. Many of its documents relate to people with disabilities in Hungary, some in other developing countries. Includes materials on human rights.

AskSource.info
www.AskSource.info
Offers reports, toolkits, and other materials related to a wide range of issues related to health, to disabilities, or both. See their section on Disability and inclusive development for materials on topics such as disability and poverty; inclusive education; emergency situations; and, many more. These also include a sub-section devoted to Disability, Human Rights, and the Convention.

We Can Do Blog
wecando.wordpress.com
Focused on disability, poverty, and human rights issues in developing countries, this blog site periodically posts announcements about upcoming conferences and events; new resources and publications; funding opportunities; and links to organizations.

World Bank Data, Statistics, and Reports on Disabilities
go.worldbank.org/UA734UP0G0
This page offers some of World Bank’s publications and reports on people with disabilities in developing countries. These publications, usually in PDF format, can be downloaded for free in English. Also offers links to World Bank and other organizations’ web pages where readers can find statistics and data related to people with disabilities.

More World Bank and Non-World Bank Publications on Disabilities
go.worldbank.org/6WYT9ARJI0
Offers an extensive listing of reports and publications on people with disabilities in developing countries. Some are World Bank publications, while others are from outside the World Bank. Most of these publications are in English, but a few are available in other languages. Most publications are in PDF format, but some are in MS Word format or other format. The listings on this page can be browsed by title (default option); by topic area; or by geographic region.

Listing of On-line Databases and Bibliographies
go.worldbank.org/2K4BBFTS20
The World Bank offers this list of links to on-line resources around the web that can lead you to databases and bibliographies about people with disabilities around the world. Many of these links can lead to more reports, publications, and possible sources of data related to people with disabilities in developing countries.

Siyanda Database of Gender and Development Materials
www.siyanda.org/
Offers an extensive on-line library of articles related to gender and international development around the world. Try a key word search for “disability,” “disabled,” etc. to locate articles on women with disabilities.

Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR) Programme website
www.disabilitykar.net
Provides assorted reports and publications related to people with disabilities and poverty in developing countries, based on research conducted by the Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR) Programme. Includes research on topics such as education; conflict situations; poverty; policy and legislation; education; sexuality.

Disability and Development Resources
edf3.gallaudet.edu/indev/www/index.htm
Has an extensive collection of links to information, materials, organizations, and resources related to international development and people with disabilities in developing countries. Includes links to funding sources.

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On-line Discussion Groups and Forums

EENET Eastern Africa Discussion Group
uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/eenet_eastern_africa/
Coordinated by the Enabling Education Network, EENET Eastern Africa is an information-sharing network that promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities in education. This on-line discussion group allows participants to exchange views, information, and resources with other participants via email.

Deaf Studies Africa email discussion group
groups.yahoo.com/group/DeafStudies-Africa/
This email-based discussion group allows individuals to discuss issues related to Deaf Studies as an academic discipline, and studies related to the linguistics of signed languages in Africa.

Asia Pacific Disability email discussion group
groups.yahoo.com/group/AsiaPacificDisability/
This email-based discussion group facilitates discussion on issues related to disability issues throughout the Asia and Pacific region.

EENET Eastern Africa email discussion group
uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/eenet_eastern_africa/
This email-based discussion group facilitates discussion related to inclusive education in Eastern Africa

Global Partnership on Disability and Development
www.worldbank.org/disability/gpdd
GPDD facilitates cooperative efforts among development agencies and organizations to reduce poverty among people with disabilities in developing countries. Any individual or organization who wishes to participate in their free email-based discussion group (GPDD) may contact Maria Reina to inquire about subscribing at mvreina@law.syr.edu.

International Disability Caucus on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
groups.yahoo.com/group/AdHoc_IDC/
This email-based discussion group facilitates discussion related to monitoring and implementing the CRPD. Individuals also sometimes share information on efforts to promote the ratification of the CRPD in their countries.

International Disability Alliance CRPD Forum
groups.yahoo.com/group/IDA_CRPD_Forum/
This email-based discussion list was established by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to continue the work of the International Disability Caucus. The Caucus works on issues related to ratifying, monitoring, implementing, and enforcing the CRPD.

Intl-Dev
gri.gallaudet.edu/mailman/listinfo/intl-dev
Subscribers to this email distribution list receive announcements related to international development issues, usually related to people with disabilities in developing countries. Announces conferences, training opportunities, and the occasional job post.

Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID)
www.csidnetwork.org/
Works to promote an inclusive society where people with disabilities live with equal rights, opportunities, access and dignity; to reduce discrimination in families and the community; to create a physical and socio-economic barrier-free environment; and to promote the rights of all people with disabilities. Its information dissemination network distributes emails with research and other information related to people with disabilities in Bangladesh and around the world.

Deafintl
patriot.net/~ashettle/deafintl
This email-based discussion group is focused on issues relevant to deaf people in developing nations. This list normally receives very little traffic about once every few weeks. Includes occasional announcements and the occasional debate.

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