World Institute on Disability

The World Institute on Disability (WID) was established in 1983 as one of the first global disability rights organizations founded and continually led by people with disabilities. We are proud of our rich history, including our incredible founders - Disability Rights Movement leaders Judy Heumann, Ed Roberts and Joan Leon.

WID is dedicated to designing, building, and supporting whole community solutions by removing barriers to include people with disabilities.

To build a more inclusive global society, WID helps assure that products and services are more accessible, promotes equity policies, provides consulting services, offers training and tools, and supports emergency, disaster, and climate efforts.

OUR MISSION

On a global scale, to continuously advance the rights and opportunities of more than one billion people with disabilities.

DISABILITY-LED

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.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Disability-Led: Valuing lived experience, with 51% or more of our Board and staff identifying as people with disabilities

• Accelerating Inclusion: Leading a global effort to eliminate barriers and advance policies that eliminate exclusion and drive inclusion

• Pan-Disability Movement Solidarity: Pursuing equality, inclusion, and accessibility for all people with any disability

• Advancing Human Rights and Supporting Disability Justice Across the LifeSpan: Securing and enhancing independent and interdependent livelihoods for the whole community

• Intersectional and Cross-Cultural Competency: Including the full spectrum of identities and the range of privilege, marginalization, and oppression that impact how disabled people are treated

• Ethics, Integrity and Accountability: Directing our focus and uncompromising standards to the needs of everyone with disabilities, especially people who are most marginalized

The World Institute on Disability brings together our knowledge and skills to  give our customers world-class consulting, training and technical assistance services. Combined with our successful past performance and history, we are excited to help our customers navigate complex challenges. https://wid.org/services/