National Organizations Working with College Student who have Disabilities
If you would like to add organizations to this list, contact us at nccsd@ahead.org. Also see the NCCSD's list of federal agencies, departments, and centers working on disability and higher education.
Access Computing
Based at the University of Washington, college and graduate students with disabilities can connect to mentors and professionals in computing fields, and find internships and potential employment opportunities
Active Minds
Works to promote positive mental and emotional health for college students while ending the stigma of mental illness; also has fellowships available
Actively Moving Forward
Through campus-based chapters, AMF supports students dealing with grief after illness or the death of someone they care about
ADA National Network
The ADA National Network has regional centers providing resources and assistance for campuses and college students. If you have questions about your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), call someone at your local center (there is a list of ADA regional centers here ).
ADHD - Understanding ADHD
A program of CHADD, this site has information for adults with ADHD, families, and educators in English and Spanish.
The Alba Network
This network is a collection of scientists promoting greater diversity within STEM fields, including increased numbers of researchers with disabilities.
American Chemical Society
This organization for chemists has a Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (the link to ACS will take you directly to the Committee's page. One goal of the group is to support students with disabilities who are entering the field.
American Educational Research Association
AERA has a large national conference with researchers and students from every field related to education, and they have a Special Interest Group (SIG) for people interested in disability studies at any level of education.
American Muslim Health Professionals
This group of Muslim health care professionals has worked with disability groups to actively improve health care, mental health education, and access to medical insurance for all Muslims in the U.S.with an interest in also combating stereotypes and discrimination.
American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights
The Commission has resources, guides, and helpful links for law students, attorneys, and other legal professionals and entities.
Aspergers/Autism Network (AANE)
AANE works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
The AUCD is a large national network of university centers and groups working on disability in an interdisciplinary way. They also offer some scholarships, as well as a group developing and supporting emerging leaders in disability-related fields.
Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)
A professional organization for disability services providers that also hosts the NCCSD, DREAM, and the HBCU Disability Consortium
ATHEN: Access Technology Higher Education Network
A group of professionals in higher education who are committed to improving access for students, faculty, and staff; they host an annual conference
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Promotes understanding of neurodiversity and self-advocacy among autistics; many college-related initiatives and publications
Bring Change to Mind
Founded by actress Glenn Close, this organization has high school and college chapters and works nationally to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma
Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability, University of Connecticut
A research center focused on disability and higher education, especially disability services
CHADD - The National Resource on ADHD
Provides information and resources for children and adults with ADHD; use the search box to find information about transition to college for students who have ADHD
Chronically Academic
An international network of academics with disabilities and chronic conditions, sharing resources and advice; welcomes graduate students, adjuncts, and faculty.
Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science and Medical Education
This group offers resources for students with disabilities in health science fields, and for faculty in any type of medical education program. They also have an annual conference.
College Autism Network
Has resources about autism and an interactive database of college programs designed for students with autism.
CollegeAutismSpectrum.com
Provides training about autism and support to higher education professionals, parents, and students. Has a listing of U.S. programs for students with autism.
College Diabetes Network
With campus chapters across the country, this organization works to provide information and support to students living with diabetes.
College Living Experience
College Living Experience (CLE) provides wraparound post-secondary support in the domains of academics, career development, social skills, and independent living skills with executive function support throughout each domain. We tailor our program to fit the needs of our students with learning differences with comprehensive one on one support. CLE’s customized program creates the foundation for a successful launch into adulthood on a college or career path.
Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society
This is an academic honor society for students with disabilities at colleges and universities,with chapters across the United States.
Disabled Academic Collective (DAC)
Open to students, faculty, and independent scholars with disabilities, meeting on Discord. The main website also has a blog and a link to join the group.
Divas with Disabilities
This group's motto is "Showing Up Unapologetically" and they offer community and information to women of color with disabilities through their website and Facebook page.
DO-IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology
Focuses primarily on employment, Internet, and technology; also has online mentoring program and information for college students
DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
DREAM is a student group under the NCCSD at AHEAD, providing online resources and community for all students with disabilities across the country. Offering a weekly e-mail newsletter on disability and higher ed and run by a student board, with a national "Disabled and Proud" conference and other activities.
Epilepsy Foundation
Resources and information, including targeted information for African Americans, Latinx, and others.
Exceptional Nurse
This group offers resources to nurses with disabilities, students, and professors in nursing programs.
Eye-to-Eye
Matches college student mentors with LD or ADHD labels with middle school students who have similar labels, as well as leadership opportunities and training
Faith Ability: Religion and Disability Resources
A website with resources about religion and disability. Under the "Faith Groups" topic, you can find information about disability and your faith, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Buddhism.
HBCU Disability Consortium
Consortium at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; for Black and African-American college students with disabilities
LD Online
Created to serve as a centralized site for all resources related to learning disabilities and ADHD, it also has resources for college students (the link will take you to that page)
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
Although LDA works to prevent and cure learning disabilities, they also actively work to improve education, supports, transition, higher education, and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Lime Connect
Prepares, and connects high-potential university students and professionals - including veterans - with disabilities for scholarships, internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program, and full-time careers with corporate partners
Mobility International USA
Works on international disability rights and supports travel and study abroad for people with disabilities
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI offers support and assistance designed to reduce the stigma of mental illness;they have campus and community chapters and resources for family members.
National Association of Blind Students
Part of the National Federation of the Blind, this group offers resources, networking, and opportunities for collective activism
National Black Deaf Advocates
Hosts leadership training for Black deaf and hard-of-hearing college students.
National Black Disability Coalition
The NBDC was founded in 1990 in response to the need for Black disabled people to organize around mutual concerns.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)
Federally-funded group coordinating transition-related work across the U.S.
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) 
Resources and publications target school-age children and their parents, but NCLD does engage in legislative advocacy on behalf of college students with learning disabilities.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Learn about NCAA rules for student-athletes with disabilities.
National Council for Aging Care
This website has a helpful site on Military Veteran Benefit Options for student veterans with disabilities.
National Deaf Center
NDC's mission is to support postsecondary outcomes for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, hard of hearing, or late deafened.
National Joint Council on Learning Disabilities
Website has transition resources for high school students with learning disabilities who want to attend college.
National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities
NOND works with nurses who have disabilities, but also promotes education about disability and offers resources to nursing educators and nursing students.
National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center
Click on the "Students & Families" tab to go directly to information about transition planning, including planning for postsecondary education - college.
National Stuttering Association
NSA provides support, friendship, and information, and instills the sense of self-worth for those who stutter. Information for researchers and other professionals as well.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)
Funded by the federal government, NTACT:C is mainly for professionals but has some resources for students with disabilities going through the transition to postsecondary education.
National Wheelchair Basketball Association
With roots in teams formed by WWII veterans, this organization now spans the globe and sends teams to the Paralympics. Their website has more information about the sport and where teams are located.
National Youth Leadership Network
National organization for youth with disabilities, ages 16-28
PACER Center
Provides information for parents about various aspects of disability, including transition to higher education
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Offers a Youth Leadership Forum, mentoring opportunities, job readiness resources, and leadership development to youth with disabilities ages 16-22.
The Phoenix Society
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury.
Project Heal
A national organization with high school and campus chapters, promoting healthy body image and providing grants to people with eating disorders who cannot afford treatment
Project LETS
A group with campus chapters that uses principles of disability justice to create peer-led communities for mental illness, trauma, disability, and neurodiversity.
SciAccess
This organization is focused solely on supporting STEM researchers with disabilities and disabled students entering STEM fields. They hold an annual conference that draws attendees from around the world.
Society for Disability Studies
Like African-American studies and race, women's studies and gender, or other types of "studies" that look at society through different lenses, disability studies professors and researchers look at the world with disability in mind. If you want to study disability, this is a good place to find people across the U.S.
Silence the Shame
A group working to reduce the stigma of mental illness and poverty, particularly in communities of color. Has a college campus ambassador program that helps students create programs at their colleges and universities.
Steve Fund
This organization supports students of color and their mental and emotional health and well-being, often hosting events at campuses around the country.
Student Veterans of America
Provides resources to veterans going to college, including veterans with disabilities
Students with Diabetes
This group supports college students with diabetes through information, and by forming a network of peers and campus chapters, connecting students to resources in their communities.
Think College
Promotes inclusion in higher education for people with intellectual disabilities
TRiO
TRiO is actually a combination of eight different federal programs, all designed to work with higher education students of color, students who are the first generation in their family to go to college, lower-income students, and students with disabilities. Your college admissions office would have information about whether your campus has any kind of TRiO program, which can provide a variety of services, including tutoring and mentoring.
Wounded Warriors
If you're a disabled vet going to college, look at the Wounded Warriors Project for resources and opportunities, including TRACK - a 12-month program that jump-starts your college career. Nobody understands vets with disabilities like other vets with disabilities.
Youth Organizing! Disabled and Proud
A group in California for disabled youth ages 16-28, focused on activism, leadership development, and initiatives across the state. They also have lists of scholarships , a search engine to find resources in California, extensive information about disability history and the independent living movement, with cool t-shirts and other products for sale.