American Association of People With Disabilities Logo

 

AAPD MEMBER INFORMATION
in MS Word or pdf Format. For pdf format download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

WELCOME TO AAPD

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a national membership organization founded in 1995 that advocates for the political and economic empowerment for the more than 56 million children and adults living with disabilities in the U.S., and is now acknowledged as the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization. With more than 110,000 members across the country, AAPD promotes public policies that advance the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency.

AAPD OPERATES PROGRAMS IN FOUR CORE AREAS:

ADVOCACY

Efforts include working with Congress to promote bipartisan legislation and policy that will further the ability of people with disabilities to live independently, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers and enjoy self-determination. AAPD will continue to protect programs and policies that empower children and adults with disabilities and realign programs and policies that erect barriers to full participation.

JUSTICE FOR ALL (JFA)
Sign up for our free JFA e-mail listserv to receive timely e-mail alerts about national disability issues. JFA's objective is to defend and advance disability rights by working with individual advocates and organizations of people with disabilities to share information and call people to action. The content disseminated on JFA is selected to promote the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to provide information about both national disability policy issues and the broader domestic policy and political debates that shape disability-specific priorities.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AMERICA FOUNDATION-AAPD CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
is a paid summer program that gives college/university students with disabilities from around the country the chance to obtain first hand knowledge of the legislative and political process by working in Congressional offices on Capitol Hill.

MICROSOFT-AAPD FEDERAL IT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
is a paid summer program in Federal agency offices in Washington, DC. It gives college/university students with disabilities from around the country the opportunity to gain real-world work experiences and further enhance employment opportunities, while also providing them the ability to perfect their IT skills.

THE WASHINGTON CENTER FOR INTERNSHIPS PROGRAM
is for college students with disabilities, through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. It includes academic training for credit, as well as exposure to community, national and international leaders through workshops, seminars, lectures, embassy visits and networking events. Twenty-five scholarships for qualified undergraduate students with disabilities are given every fall and spring semester.

THE HENRY B. BETTS AWARD
is an annual $50,000 cash award, given to an individual whose work and scope of influence have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past, and will be a major force for change in the future. These recipients are truly leaders in the country’s disability community.

PAUL G. HEARNE/AAPD LEADERSHIP AWARDS
are cash gifts of $10,000 each awarded annually to people with disabilities who are emerging leaders in their fields and have positive visions for the disability community. Each prior awardee is using their $10,000 award to further their work in their respective states, as well as nationally, to improve the lives of all people with disabilities.

AAPD LEADERSHIP GALA
held for the first time in 2002 and now an annual forum and AAPD’s signature fundraising event, pays tribute to disability community leaders; brings together highly diverse constituents; and promotes advocacy. Attendees from around the country include members of the disability community, other key civil rights advocates, the media, corporate representatives, state government and election officials, members of Congress, senior members of the Administration and other policymakers. Awards are presented by members of Congress.

DISABILITY MENTORING DAY™ (DMD)

Promotes career development for students/job-seekers with disabilities nationwide and internationally through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. An incredibly strong national volunteer corps, with orchestration from AAPD, is what makes this program so successful. DMD volunteers in local communities around the country organize activities that bring together job seekers and employers. This program takes place in locations around the country on the third Wednesday o every October, to coincide with Disability Employment Awareness Month, and is the launch point for year-round mentoring and job shadowing opportunities.

Last year DMD had more than9,000 students mentored by public/private employers, coordinated by 220 of the volunteer Local Coordinators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 17 international locations. One of the central tenets of DMD is to open doors of opportunity for people with disabilities in careers, from entry level to management, and in locations around the country. DMD also serves to remove attitudinal barriers that exist in this country regarding people with disabilities. With only three in ten working-age (18-64) disabled people employed full-time or part-time, DMD is a critical program.

“I felt this was a very worthwhile experience , as a result, I got several job leads plus the opportunity to do a long-term mentorship, and have also had a couple of job interviews.” Mentee St. Paul, Minnesota

DISABILITY VOTE PROJECT (DVP)

Addresses the fundamental inequalities faced by this nation’s voters with disabilities, and works in a nonpartisan manner to ensure they are provided full accessibility to all polling places and voting equipment. AAPD’s Disability Vote Project works to register and turn out voters with disabilities in national, state and local elections.

Toward this end and key to increasing voter turnout of people with disabilities, AAPD has formed coalitions with other national organizations (such as the Lighthouse for the Blind, United Cerebral Palsy Association, The American Occupational Therapists Association and Independent Living Centers) to ensure we are working collaboratively and in every state. AAPD has helped to enrich the diversity of each coalition, and provides training, supervision and materials to these coalitions.

AAPD was instrumental in working with Congress for the passage of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), an election reform program that mandates voter accessibility.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

AAPDNEWS
Our quarterly newsletter keeps you informed with AAPD program and legislative updates, announcements and latest news on national disability policies and issues. Be sure to read our Members Column for updated benefits, volunteer opportunities and other timely information.

DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (DCU)
AAPD members have the opportunity to join this national credit union to take advantage of a full range of financial services, including Consumer Loans (Mortgage, Home Equity, Car), Mobility Vehicle Loans (for adapted vehicles), Access Loans (for any product, device or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability), ATM cards, checking and savings accounts and so much more. For further information or to join, visit DCU, or e-mail DCU or call 800-328-8797or 800-395-5146 (TTY). As an AAPD member, you can join DCU by opening a checking or savings account with a minimum deposit of $5.

VICTORYPLUS BENEFITS
From AAPD and USA+ (USA Plus), the Victory Prescription Plus Card.*

Family plan – first month only $2.99, then $7.99 each month for entire family. 30-day money back guarantee. Discounted mail-order and pharmacy prescriptions. Free annual eye exam.
(*not available in all states.)

For further information, please call Victory+ directly at 800-505-8742 (V/TTY) or join at Victoryplus/AAPD website.

NEW MOBILITY MAGAZINE
Discounted subscription at $19.95 for one year for AAPD Members (28% savings). Subscribe from AAPD’s website, or call New Mobility with your AAPD membership number and credit card information or mail your payment to:
New Mobility
P.O. Box 220
Horsham, PA 19044
Toll-free phone: 888-850-0344, ext. 209

AVIS CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS
Your AAPD membership entitles you to:

For Avis reservations: 800-331-1212 or 800-331-2323 (TTY) (Mention you are an AAPD member and use your Avis Worldwide Discount [AWD] #T618500.)

HERTZ CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS
Your AAPD membership entitles you to:

For Hertz reservations: 800-654-2200 or 800-654-2280 (TTY) (Mention CDP #1182563).

LIFE INSURANCE
For price quote: Ruth M. Wolf, LUTCF, ChLAP at Special Needs Agency
Phone: 800-632-1884
Email.

AAPD WEBSITE
Please be sure to regularly visit our website, where you will find continually updated news about legislative and disability policies and issues, the latest on AAPD programs, new member benefits, announcements, and an extensive list of website links to other disability organizations and resources. Look for detailed information relevant to AAPD’s four core areas: Advocacy, Leadership Development, Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) and Disability Vote Project (DVP). See photos and biographies of past and present Leadership award recipients, as well as photos from Disability Mentoring Day, the Leadership Gala, and other AAPD events and programs.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!

Make your difference count! Help us grow our membership so we can attract additional benefits providers. Tell your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors about AAPD’s programs and member benefits .Get involved as a member of AAPD. Volunteer your time for Disability Mentoring Day and our Disability Vote Project. Write your Congressional representatives about issues of importance to you and the disability community, and don’t forget to sign up for JFA Action Alerts. Let others know about AAPD’s $10,000 Paul G. Hearne and $50,000 Henry B. Betts Awards and our paid Congressional and Technology internships for students with disabilities. Your tax deductible donation to AAPD will help us continue our goal of achieving independence, self-sufficiency and full inclusion for all 56 million Americans with disabilities.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

MEMBER SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have a question about membership, need to replace your membership card, change your address, are not receiving your copy of AAPDNews, or need information in an alternate format, please let us know.

MAIL AAPD Member Services 258 Main Street, Suite 203 Milford, MA 01757
PHONE Toll-free 866-241-3200 (V/TTY)
E-MAIL Diane DeAngelis

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please try to let us know six weeks in advance. Form 3576, available from your local post office, is an easy way to notify us when you change your address.

FOR PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY INFORMATION

MAIL AAPD National Office, 1629 K Street NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20006
PHONE Toll-free 800-840-8844 (V/TTY)
E-MAIL AAPD

Member Benefits | About AAPD | Join | Disability Resources | News | Contact Us | Calendar | Home