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Disability Belongs trademarked logo with green and blue overlapping droplet shapes and tagline Redefining Narratives Developing Leaders Driving Opportunity.

 

After a thorough and inclusive process, a year in the making, RespectAbility is now known as Disability Belongs™. Our mission, focus, and priorities remain unchanged. By incorporating “disability” into our name, we emphasize that being disabled is part of the human experience. We will continue to push for systemic change for people with disabilities and their intersecting identities. We are proud of RespectAbility’s past work and accomplishments, and we are invigorated by the opportunities yet to come as Disability Belongs™!

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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 fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

Resources and Services

Graphic advertising Disability Belongs with a photo of Board and Staff from the organization together in person in DC and large text reading Nothing without us.Disability Belongs™ is ready to help make your organization welcoming and inclusive of people with physical, sensory, cognitive, mental health, or other disabilities.

Our Theory of Change

RespectAbility’s theory of change captures how our core programmatic activities intersect to drive long-term impact.

Changing Attitudes: We challenge stigma and amplify authentic narratives on disability – nothing about us, without us!

Advancing Opportunities: We take down barriers to education, employment, and civic life to enable disabled individuals to lead lives of their choosing.

Developing Leaders: We model training and empowering the next generation of leaders in disability advocacy across our pillars.

RespectAbility Children's Content Lab Fellows smiling together

Recent News

greyscale photos of Justin Chappell and Ben Spangenberg and Steve Bartlett smiling in suits. text reads Apply for the 2025 Disability Impact Awards

Apply for the 2025 Disability Impact Awards

Applications for the 2025 Annual Ben Spangenberg and Justin Chappell Memorial Award and the 2025 Annual Steve Bartlett Award are open until Wednesday, March 12th, 2025. The recipients will be recognized during an in-person reception in Washington, D.C. and awarded $1,000. [click to continue…]

key art for Marlee Matlin Not Alone Anymore, View from the floor, and life after, three inclusive films screening at Sundance 2025. marquee for Sundance Film Festival

A Guide to 2025 Disability-Inclusive Sundance Films

Learn about films screening at Sundance 2025 that feature disability in the plot, plus additional films featuring talent with disabilities. [click to continue…]

graphic with a line graph pointing towards grwoth and icons representing social media and email marketing. text reads The Benefits and Impact of Inclusive Marketing

The Benefits and Impact of Inclusive Marketing

Currently, making products and services accessible to everyone is the exception, but it should be the rule. Learn more about examples of inclusive marketing and how your business can be more accessible! [click to continue…]

Our Advocacy Pillars

Our theory of change empowers us to maximize our efforts across our four advocacy pillars, with unwavering resolve.

Entertainment and News Media: Increase diverse and authentic representation of disabled people in media so people with disabilities are seen for what they can do, instead of what they cannot.

Leadership and Workforce Development: Enable diverse people with disabilities to participate fully in decision-making.

Policy and Civic Engagement: Promote best practices in education, employment, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and access.

Faith Inclusion and Belonging: Ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in faith-based communities.

Six former RespectAbility Fellows stand on stage under a tent holding their white canes

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    Disability Belongs – Formerly RespectAbility

    Contact Us

    Mailing Address:
    Disability Belongs™
    43 Town & Country Drive
    Suite 119-181
    Fredericksburg, VA 22405

    Office Number: 202-517-6272

    Email: Info@DisabilityBelongs.org

    Operational Excellence

    Disability Belongs™ is recognized by GuideStar at the Platinum level, and has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
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