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The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) is a federation of US-based non-governmental organizations, federal agencies and individuals committed to advocacy and action on behalf of the global disability rights agenda. Because of its unique structure, USICD’s core strength is its membership. Through its vast network of disabled people’s organizations and other NGO stakeholders, government members and individual advocates, USICD has the advocacy reach and political leverage to impact critical emerging issues both in the United States and internationally. The technical assistance resources our members bring to the table collectively are unmatched by those of any single group. USICD’s Board of Directors includes the most recognized leaders in the American disability rights movement, providing a wealth of experience and strategic guidance to USICD’s mission.

We are at a very exciting time in the history of disability rights internationally. We are witnessing daily the dramatic advances being made on disability and human rights at the global level. USICD’s purpose is to catalyze and help focus the energy, expertise and resources of the US disability community and the US government to respond effectively to international issues and opportunities as they emerge. Through our policy, advocacy, and technical assistance efforts, we have to potential to improve the lives and circumstances of millions of people with disabilities worldwide. Find information about how to join USICD and become involved in the work we are doing.

History and Current Areas of Focus

Founded in 1988 as the United States Council for International Rehabilitation, the original purpose of the organization was to serve as the United States’ member of Rehabilitation International (RI). USICD continues to play this important role, and now also represents the US in Disabled People’s International (DPI). RI and DPI are the largest global cross-disability organizations in the world and each has been granted official consultative status by the United Nations. As the only US representative within these organizations, USICD serves as a gateway between the American disability community and the global networks of RI and DPI, bringing the US perspective and the American disability rights experience to the international disability movement and facilitating information exchange, advocacy support and technical assistance.

While its original function as international representative and ambassador remains a crucial element of the organization’s mission, USICD’s scope has grown and evolved considerably since it was formed for that particular purpose. Over the past decade, USICD has become the key convener and coordinator of the American disability community on US-based advocacy and policy initiatives on a range of international disability issues. USICD has led efforts to develop and implement an official disability policy within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and to promote inclusive policies, practices and programs within the US State Department. These two federal agencies are responsible for the vast majority of US foreign assistance, post-conflict reconstruction and other international development work. Their historic lack of attention to disability issues means that billions of American dollars have been spent abroad in ways that fail to apply accessibility and inclusion standards defined in our domestic disability protections. USICD is working with Congress and decision-makers across the US government to ensure that all future efforts are fully accessible and inclusive of people with disabilities. USICD was also key advocate in the United States during the recent United Nations (UN) process of drafting a new global human rights treaty: the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Now that the Convention is open for State signature and ratification, USICD continues to serve as the key convener within the United States as the American disability community advocates for our nation to ratify and implement this important treaty. Read about USICD’s current initiatives.