Aging and Disability Advocates and Service Providers | ACL Administration for Community Living

The aging and disability networks include government organizations and government funded programs, as well as private organizations that advocate and/or provide services for older adults and people with disabilities. This list is not necessarily all inclusive, and linking should not be considered endorsement of the content found on these organizations' sites.

Aging Organizations

AARP
AARP is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Site provides useful information and resources on topics such as: health and wellness; economic security and work; long-term care and independent living; and personal enrichment.

Alliance for Retired Americans
The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security

American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
AGS is a not-for-profit organization of over 6,700 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. AGS provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Aging Resources
The American Foundation for the Blind has developed an online information center that provides common sense solutions to living with vision loss. It offers hope, help and encouragement to both people experiencing vision problems and their family members and provides links to local agencies that can help.

American Society on Aging
The American Society on Aging is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families. Site offers useful resources on a variety of aging-related topics.

Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO)
LCAO is a large coalition of the nation’s non-profit organizations serving older Americans. LCAO’s 56 member association is diverse and dedicated to preserving and strengthening the well-being of America’s older population.

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD)
Founded in 1964, the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is a non-profit association representing the nation’s 56 officially designated state and territorial agencies on aging.

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
The mission of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a membership organization, is to protect, preserve, promote, and ensure the financial security, health, and the well being of current and future generations of maturing Americans. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare acts in the best interests of its members through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts, and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff.

National Council on the Aging (NCoA)
NCoA is an association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, well being, and contributions of older persons. The Senior’s Corner section of the site contains health related resources and tips.

USAging
USAging is the leading voice on aging issues for area agencies on aging and a champion for Title VI Native American aging programs. Through advocacy, training and technical assistance, we support the national network of 650 AAAs and 240 Title VI programs.

Disability Organizations

American Association of People with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) is a national grassroots, nonprofit membership organization consisting of over 260 members from centers for independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, other organizations and individuals concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. These programs serve and are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change.

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens. We work to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the Autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us.

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), founded in 1979, is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities. They work on the core principles of equality of opportunity, disability accommodation, accessibility, and inclusion.

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
NACDD is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the United States with developmental disabilities.

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.

National Disability Rights Network
The National Disability Rights Network works in Washington, DC on behalf of the Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) and Client Assistance Programs (CAPs), the nation’s largest providers of legal advocacy services for people with disabilities. NDRN promotes the network’s capacity, ensures that P&As/CAPs remain strong and effective by providing training and technical assistance, and advocates for laws protecting the civil and human rights of all people with disabilities.

National Organization on Disability
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the full participation and contributions of America’s 57 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life. NOD focuses on increasing employment opportunities for the 80-percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed.

TASH
TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs. They work to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families, and self-advocates.

The Arc
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.