Advocacy Groups

General Information

Advocacy involves a second person supporting and representing an individual or individuals with a disability. This occurs in response to discrimination with minimal conflict of interest. Advocates assist those who need protection or would have difficulty in sustaining a case in which their interests, choices or rights might be prejudiced.

An advocacy organization specializes in social advocacy, including, but not exclusive to, a variety of issues relevant to individuals with disability. Disability advocacy organizations have specific funding to provide advocacy specifically for individuals with disability, for example, the Autism Society of Canada or the National Association for Down Syndrome. Organizations vary in their target groups on the basis of disability, gender, age, geography or issue and on the basis of their practice and principles.



Related Sites

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation
Down Syndrome Online Advocacy Group
Association for Children with Down Syndrome
National Association for Down Syndrome
National Down Syndrome Society
Canadian Down Syndrome Society
Down Syndrome Research Foundation
Down Syndrome Parent Network
Down Syndrome Research Online Advocacy Group


Autism

Autism Society of America
Center for the Study of Autism
National Alliance for Autism Research
Moms on a Mission for Autism
Unlocking Autism
Autism Network International
Autism Society of Canada
Cure Autism Now Foundation
Autism Canada Foundation
Families for Early Autism Treatment


Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy Association
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Association of Canada (Provincial Links)
Association de Paralysie Cerebrale du Quebec


Fetal Alcohol Syndrome / Effects

Family Empowerment Network:Supporting Families Affected by FAS/FAE
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome


Fragile X

National Fragile X Foundation
Fragile X Research Foundation
Fragile X Parent Support Group


General Disability Advocacy

TASH – Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with Disabilities
Rehabilitation International
Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres
Disabled Peoples International
The Advocacy Center
American Association of People with Disabilities
The Council for Disability Rights
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
ARC – Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families
Canadian Association for Community Living




Journals / Magazines

Journals

1) Developmental Disabilities Bulletin
2) Developmental Policy
3) Disability Studies Quarterly
4) Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities
5) Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
6) International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
7) International Journal of Practical Approaches to Disability
8) Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
9) Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities
10) The Exceptional Parent


Magazines

1) Ability Magazine
2) Closing the Gap
3) Disability Tribune
4) Disability World
5) Disabled Persons Bulletin
6) Division on Developmental Disabilities Express
7) Enabling Education
8) Exceptional Parent Magazine
9) Inclusion Daily Express
10) International Rehabilitation Review
12) Parents Magazine
13) Special Child