Disability Rights International

10/06/2026

📣Join us!

DRI as member of the Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (GCDI), invites you to join an important discussion on the “International Cooperation and Deinstitutionalization” as part of thematic workshops on Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in Emergencies.

The webinar will explore how international cooperation can support deinstitutionalization across different contexts, including emergencies, while building on the perspectives and priorities of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations (OPDs).

🗓 8 October 2026
⏰ 9:00-11:00 ET
💻 Online
Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uJZqc6OGTHqHJY8hNcRKvA

On 8 October 2026, TCI, as part of the Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (GCDI), invites you to join an important discussion on the “International Cooperation for Deinstitutionalization” as part of thematic workshops on Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in Emergencies.

The webinar will explore how international cooperation can support deinstitutionalization across different contexts, including emergencies, while building on the perspectives and priorities of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations (OPDs).

🗓 8 October 2026
⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM CET
💻 Online
Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uJZqc6OGTHqHJY8hNcRKvA

09/25/2026

Each year, DRI welcomes student interns who contribute to our work while gaining firsthand experience in disability rights advocacy. This summer, we were grateful to have five students volunteer with us.

Hear reflections from Lynnwoo Hong & Josie Hilbert, high school students at Phillips Exeter Academy who participated in the UN Conference of States Parties in New York

We'd like to thank them and all our summer interns for their meaningful contributions to our work.

09/23/2026

Each year, DRI welcomes student interns who contribute to our work while gaining firsthand experience in disability rights advocacy. This summer, we were grateful to have five students volunteer with us.

Hear from Jessica Harnois-Ostiguy, a law student at McGill University’s Center for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, about her experience contributing to DRI’s work fighting infanticide of children with disabilities in Kenya.

We'd like to thank her and all our summer interns for their meaningful contributions to our work.

09/21/2026

On September 10, 2026, Disability Rights International hosted a webinar titled "Citizen Data Project: Investigate, Document, and Challenge Institutionalization of Children and Adults with Disabilities."

In Part 1 of this three-part training series, DRI staff and guest experts shared strategic considerations for effectively documenting the conditions of institutions where people with disabilities are being held.

Watch the full webinar, view the presentation, and check out additional resources for documenting and challenging institutionalization: https://tinyurl.com/citizendataproject

09/21/2026

El pasado 10 de septiembre de 2026, Disability Rights International impartió un webinar titulado “Proyecto de Datos Ciudadanos: Investiga, documenta y problematiza la institucionalización de infancias y personas adultas con discapacidad”.

En esta primera de tres sesiones, el equipo de DRI y expertas aliadas compartieron consideraciones estratégicas para acercarse a la documentación de las condiciones de las personas con discapacidad detenidas en instituciones residenciales.

Escucha el webinar completo en tinyurl.com/DRIwebinardatos
Consulta la presentación en español y a las versiones en inglés aquí: tinyurl.com/datosciudadanosDRI

09/08/2026

This Thursday Sept 10th, join us for Part 1 of this three-part training webinar to equip activists to investigate, document, and challenge institutionalization.

🔗 Register Here: https://forms.gle/i6k5yvmaJCpL6pfKA

Part 1 of 3: Strategic Considerations for Effective Investigations
September 10, 2026
10 AM - 12noon EDT
Zoom Webinar
Sign language & Spanish interpretation provided

Training by DRI international staff and special guests.
Supported by International Disability Alliance & Lumos

09/02/2026

Register now for Part 1 of this three-part training webinar to equip activists to investigate, document, and challenge institutionalization.

By DRI international staff with guests:
Dovile Juodkaite, Member-elect, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee), National Expert on WHO Quality of Rights Toolkit
Silvia Quan, Colectivo Vida Independiente
Pamela Molina, Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment

🔗 Register Here: https://forms.gle/i6k5yvmaJCpL6pfKA

Part 1 of 3: Strategic Considerations for Effective Investigations
September 10, 2026
10 AM - 12noon EDT
Zoom Webinar
Sign language & Spanish interpretation provided

Training by Disability Rights International. Supported by International Disability Alliance & Lumos

08/19/2026

How do children with disabilities access justice?

In the latest issue of The Meeting Place, our Rights Spotlight explores children’s right to access justice and an effective remedy.

Taiwan Mad Alliance: shares a submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on children’s right to access justice and an effective remedy.

Project ENSURE: Validity Foundation and partners are working to improve communication with child victims with disabilities in the criminal justice system by strengthening access to intermediaries, support persons, and special representatives.

Swipe through to learn more about these important efforts to make justice more accessible and inclusive for children with disabilities.

The Meeting Place is a space for collaboration, participation, and disability inclusion, bringing together global communities working to advance children’s rights and disability rights.

Led by Disability Rights International, in collaboration with the Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (GC-DI) and Lumos Foundation.

Read the full issue at: https://www.driadvocacy.org/news/meeting-place-issue-2-july-2026

Photo Credit: DRI investigation of an orphanage in Republic of Georgia by Rob Levy



Lumos International Disability Alliance INCLUSION INTERNATIONAL TCI European Network on Independent Living - ENIL Centre for Human Rights Validity Foundation

08/17/2026

What does it take to create a world where children with disabilities are safe from violence?

In the latest issue of The Meeting Place, we spotlight the right to freedom from violence through the voices of survivors and experts by experience, alongside academics and researchers.

Swipe through for three powerful perspectives—and read the full issue for more.

The Meeting Place is a space for collaboration, participation, and disability inclusion, bringing together global communities working to advance children’s rights and disability rights.

Led by Disability Rights International, in collaboration with the Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (GC-DI) and Lumos Foundation.

Read the full issue at: https://www.driadvocacy.org/news/meeting-place-issue-2-july-2026

Photo Credit: DRI investigation of an orphanage in Republic of Georgia by Rob Levy



International Disability Alliance INCLUSION INTERNATIONAL TCI
European Network on Independent Living - ENIL Centre for Human Rights Validity Foundation

07/29/2026

What if defending the rights of people with disabilities meant risking your own life? For many, it does.

That's why we're so proud that our Director of Advocacy & Litigation, Priscila Rodríguez, was recognized by The Carter Center and invited to speak about the risks human rights defenders face around the world.

For more than 30 years, Disability Rights International (DRI) has exposed torture, human trafficking, abuse, and violence against children and adults trapped in institutions. Along the way, our staff have faced arrests, intimidation, and threats simply for telling the truth.

But our work doesn't stop at exposing abuse. We also empower people with disabilities to become human rights defenders in their own communities. Over the years, we've trained hundreds of activists in more than 40 countries to stand up for their rights and the rights of others.

Human rights defenders need defenders, too.

If you believe everyone deserves dignity, freedom, and safety, please share this post and support our work to help protect those who risk everything to defend human rights.