Apply For Our Leadership Program
The Disability Belongs™ Leadership Program prepares emerging leaders with the skills, experiences, and networks needed to advance disability inclusion across every sector of society. Through paid, active learning, participants build the capacity to drive meaningful change in workplaces, communities, and public life. We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort.
Making a Difference
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.
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Advocacy
We work to advance policies that empower people with disabilities to achieve independence, inclusion, and economic self-sufficiency. Through strategic advocacy and storytelling, we drive systemic change at local, state, and national levels.
Leadership Development
Our programs equip disabled leaders with the tools, training, and mentorship they need to lead in their communities, industries, and government. We’re building a diverse pipeline of change-makers shaping a more equitable future.
Partnerships
We collaborate with nonprofits, employers, entertainment leaders, and policymakers to promote best practices in disability inclusion. Together, we expand opportunity and break down barriers—one partnership at a time.
Our Theory of Change
We believe that true equity for people with disabilities begins with changing perceptions, building leadership, and creating systemic opportunities. Our work bridges advocacy, training, and partnership to dismantle barriers and advance inclusion in policy, education, employment, and media. By centering lived experience and elevating disabled voices, we drive lasting change that benefits individuals, families, and communities nationwide.
Focus Areas
At Disability Belongs™, our work spans multiple focus areas that reflect our commitment to disability inclusion across every sector of society. From entertainment and policy to workforce development and philanthropy, each area represents a key piece of the systemic change we’re driving. By combining lived experience with strategic action, we empower individuals with disabilities and advance equity in every space where decisions are made.
Be A Part of the Change
Real change happens when people take action. Whether you’re lending your voice, your resources, or your partnership, there’s a place for you in our movement. Join us in building a more inclusive, equitable future for people with disabilities.
Latest Updates
Fifty Years After the Last ‘Ugly Law,’ Are We Repeating History?
In cities across the United States, “ugly laws” once made it illegal for poor or visibly disabled people to appear in public. These ordinances treated disability and poverty as problems to hide rather than human conditions deserving dignity and inclusion. Today, as our nation debates how best to address houselessness, mental health, and substance use disorders, we face a choice: repeat the mistakes of exclusion or build on a legacy of inclusion and progress.
The Business Case for Inclusion: Benefits for Employees
It’s a fact: business performance is closely tied to how well employees are supported at work. A growing body of research shows that employees are more productive, innovative, and committed when they feel safe, valued, and included. In this blog, we examine this data and explain how investing in an inclusive culture for all employees, including disabled people, improves staff morale while strengthening the bottom line.
Combatting Misinformation: Understanding the Facts About Tourette Syndrome
At Disability Belongs™, we’re committed to replacing myths with facts and building greater understanding. In this entry of our Combatting Misinformation series, we’re addressing some common myths about Tourette syndrome and sharing the facts everyone should know.
