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6 Ways to Get Involved in Disability Advocacy 

March 18, 2025

6 Ways to Get Involved in Disability Advocacy 

Advocacy takes many forms, from self-education and social media engagement to policy change and direct support. No matter your background or experience, discover meaningful ways to contribute to disability advocacy and help create a more inclusive world. 

Advocacy means standing up for rights—your own or someone else’s. Disability advocacy plays an important role in ensuring people with disabilities have access to the resources, rights, and opportunities they need to thrive. Advocacy takes many forms, from self-advocates—individuals with disabilities speaking up for themselves—to advocates pushing for inclusive policies and organizations dedicated to removing barriers and providing direct services. 

History proves that advocacy works. Without dedicated self-advocates and disability advocates, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) wouldn’t exist. The more voices that speak up, the more inclusive our communities become.  

Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to deepen your involvement, here are six actionable ways to support disability inclusion and rights.  

1. Educate Yourself on Disability Rights and Experiences

Being an informed advocate starts with understanding the challenges people with disabilities face and learning about existing policies and rights. Below are some great resources to start or expand your education in disability advocacy.  

Recommended Resources:
Start conversations about what you’re learning with friends, family, or colleagues to spread awareness. 

Read: 

  • Being Heumann by Judy Heumann – A memoir from a disability rights leader who helped pass the ADA. 
  • I Am a Masterpiece! by Mia Armstrong – A children’s book written by a young author with Down syndrome, offering a firsthand perspective. 
  • Disregarded Disability– Laura Hershey’s lifelong fight to unite the goals of activist movement in Colorado is an article from Colorado History that highlights Hershey’s advocacy for independent living and inclusion. 

Watch: 

  • Crip Camp (Netflix) – A documentary on the disability rights movement, tracing its roots to a 1970’s summer camp for youth with disabilities. 

Listen: 

  • Barrier Free Futures – A weekly radio program covering legislation, employment, accessibility, and arts as they relate to individuals with disabilities.  
  • Shining Beautiful – A podcast hosted by Mikelle, a nonverbal individual with cerebral palsy, who shares her experiences with the help of technology, her mother, and a speech therapist and expert in assistive technology. Fun fact: her mother was the first RMHS Board Chair! 

Visit: 

  • Atlantis Community (Denver, CO) – An organization whose mission centers on disability advocacy offers a tour showcasing the history of disability rights in Denver and the larger American society, with exhibits featuring key moments in advocacy. 

Subscribe:
There are many newsletters you can subscribe to and share to stay informed about ongoing disability resources, events, and legislation, including:  

  • Online disability news publication Disability Scoop shares their latest stories about developmental disabilities in their newsletter.  
  • The monthly PASCO Newsletter provides an excellent overview of local Colorado resources, updates on disability advocacy, and stories that highlight the strength of its community.  

Join: 

2. Share What You’re Learning

Once you’ve started learning, use your voice to amplify what you know. Starting conversations about disability advocacy is just as important as independent learning. Share impactful books, documentaries, or articles with friends, family, or book clubs. The next time you host people for dinner, ask if anyone has come across any great resources regarding disability stories. The more people who engage in conversations, the stronger the movement grows.  

Three Ways to Start Conversations About Disability Inclusion:

  1. Recommend a book, podcast, or article about disability experiences
    Bring up a resource that stood out to you during a casual conversation and recommend it to a friend, coworker, or family member. Whether it features a powerful story, a new perspective, or a better understanding of the challenges that people with disabilities face, personal recommendations often lead to meaningful dialogue.
  2. Share what you’ve learned during everyday interactions
    You don’t need a formal setting to start a conversation. Mention something you’ve recently learned about accessibility, inclusion, or disability rights when it naturally fits into daily conversations—at a family dinner, during a coffee break, or while planning an event. 
  3. Invite others to learn alongside you
    Learning together makes new topics feel more approachable. Consider suggesting a disability-related book for your book club, watching a documentary with a friend, or discussing a podcast episode on a walk or road trip. Exploring these topics with others can help create shared understanding and encourage open conversations

3. Amplify the Voices of People with Disabilities on Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for amplifying voices of individuals with disabilities and challenging harmful misinformation. Following and sharing content from self-advocates helps combat ableism and promote accessibility. To start, consider engaging with the impactful creators below on Instagram. These are only a few of the many remarkable self-advocates working to create content that promotes understanding and inclusivity.  

Disability advocates to follow on Instagram:

  • @theseatednurse – Andrea Dalzell is a nurse who uses a wheelchair who advocates for inclusion in healthcare. 
  • @woodybelfort– Woody Belfort is an incredible rock climber and body builder with cerebral palsy who showcases disabled athleticism. 
  • @paigelayle– Paige Layle is a content creator with autism who uses humor and positivity to educate about autism and challenge stereotypes. 

By intentionally following, sharing, and engaging with disabled creators, you can help amplify their voices and contribute to a more inclusive and informed online community.  

4. Connect with Disability-Focused Organizations in Your Community

Volunteering with or supporting organizations that promote inclusion makes a direct impact. It also gives you the opportunity to connect with experienced advocates.  In Colorado, consider connecting with:

  • Mosaic, which supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
  • The Arc, which advocates for people with disabilities. Get involved with your local chapter. 

There are many ways to volunteer, including amplifying advocacy efforts, and make a difference.  

5. Stay Informed on Disability Policies and Legislation

Understanding existing disability rights laws strengthens advocacy efforts.  

Historic legislation that has created the foundation for disability rights in the US includes:

Once you understand landmark laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities, it’s helpful to become informed about current issues. 

How to stay informed about current issues impacting the disability community:
Organizations like the ACLU and Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) provide updates on legal battles and policy changes. 

In general, supporting policies that promote accessibility and inclusion is essential. Policies that remove barriers can create stronger communities where everyone can participate fully, which benefits both individuals with disabilities and society as a whole.   

You can learn about and advocate for more inclusive and accessible policies by working with advocacy organizations such as: 

6. Make Inclusion Part of Your Everyday Life

Everyday actions can drive lasting change. Ask yourself:

  • Are the spaces you visit accessible to people with disabilities? 
  • Do events you attend provide ASL interpretation, captions, or accessible seating? 
  • Are your workplace and social groups actively inclusive? 

When you notice barriers, speak up. Whether you’re suggesting improved accessibility at an event or recommending a disability-inclusive business, small steps contribute to a more inclusive world. 

Finding Your Path in Disability Advocacy

Advocacy can be as simple as starting a conversation, sharing resources, or volunteering your time. Whether you’re raising awareness online or pushing for policy change, your efforts matter. 

Have one minute today? Share this blog with a friend or post it on social media to inspire others to get involved. The fight for disability rights is ongoing and your involvement helps build a more accessible, inclusive society.  

If you want to learn directly from three women in the disability advocacy space making a difference in Colorado, check out this blog.