Organizations of Persons with Disabilities

Organizations that are led, directed, and governed by people with disabilities, where the majority of members and leadership positions are held by disabled people. OPDs are distinct from organizations "for" people with disabilities that may be run by non-disabled people. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, governments are required to consult with and involve OPDs in policy development. In accessibility and assistive technology work, partnering with OPDs ensures that programs are culturally relevant, reflect disabled people's priorities, and embody the disability rights principle of "nothing about us without us."