ADA Watch monitors threats to the civil and human rights of people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other vital protections. Our Mission:
Our mission is to unite national, state and local disability, civil rights, and social justice organizations in coalition to defend and advance the human rights and dignity of Americans with disabilities. Our Vision:
We bel
ieve in an America that provides for the safety, civil rights, and life needs of its citizens with disabilities across the spectrum of community, including but not limited to access to housing, health care, employment, education, transportation, political involvement, and public spaces. Our Values:
We believe everyone, regardless of real or implied differences, deserves to be included, respected, valued, supported, listened to, and loved. We believe federal, state, and local legislative priorities should address and aim to resolve disability-related barriers to equity and inclusion across all aspects of living, including (but not limited to) safety, housing, education, employment, healthcare, transportation, communication, and public access. We believe federal, state, and local budgeting priorities should reflect a balanced distribution of resources that positively affect the community-focused inclusion, health, and value of citizens living with disabilities. We recognize the intersectionality of marginalization and value efforts to build cross-cultural coalitions to address common issues and disparities. Our History:
Comprised of hundreds of national, state and local disability, human rights and social justice organizations, ADA Watch/CDRJ was launched while founder Jim Ward was the Director of Public Policy at the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) under the leadership of Curtis Decker. Ward, a clinical social worker and former elected official, got his start in upstate New York assisting individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning to the community from abusive institutions like Willowbrook, whose expose by Geraldo Rivera in the '70s led to the passage of protection and advocacy laws for people with disabilities. Disability Rights icon Justin Dart, Jr. – the “Father of the ADA” – was the founding chair. Patrisha Wright – the disability community’s ADA “General” – served in key leadership roles. National Advisory Council members from the disability and larger progressive community have included Judy Huemann, Bob Kafka, Ralph Neas, Wade Henderson, Nan Aaron, Bobby Coward, Marca Bristo, Marcie Roth, Tony Coelho, and many other leaders. Our coalition members have included ADAPT, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), AARP, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), People For the American Way (PFAW)
Current Funding:
The Ford Foundation, an American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare, selected ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights (NCDR) as one of the first recipients of their new U.S. Embracing the disability community’s motto of “nothing about us without us,” Ford’s grant-making strategy in the disability community has been guided by more than 200 disability leaders across the United States. “This is not about charity or inspiration,” says Rebecca Cokley, who leads the new program as Ford program officer in the president’s office, “It’s about justice.”
The Social Good Fund serves as our 501c3 fiscal sponsor and provides back-end support for all our programs. The Social Good Fund works to create and establish positive influences for individuals, communities, and the environment. The goal is to sponsor and develop projects that will help positively impact and develop local communities into healthier and happier places to live, work, and be.
