About RI

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Who We Are
What We Do
How We Work
Our Activities

Who We Are

Founded in 1922, RI is a global network of people with disabilities, service providers, researchers, government agencies and advocates promoting and implementing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.

Photo: Presentation of one of the first plaques with the International Symbol of Access, adopted by RI in 1969. Pictured (l-r) Anne Hawker, RI President-elect; Jerome Belson, President, United Cerebral Palsy of New York; Leslie Park, Founder, Disabled and Alone; Tomas Lagerwall, RI Secretary General; Michael Fox, RI President; and Rex Davidson, President, Goodwill Industries of New York/New Jersey.

Presentation of one of the first plaques with the International Symbol of Access, adopted by RI in 1969. Pictured (l-r) Anne Hawker, RI President-elect; Jerome Belson, President, United Cerebral Palsy of New York; Leslie Park, Founder, Disabled and Alone; Tomas Lagerwall, RI Secretary General; Michael Fox, RI President; and Rex Davidson, President, Goodwill Industries of New York/New Jersey.

RI is currently composed of approximately 1,000 members and affiliated organizations in nearly 100 nations, in all regions of the world. RI has well-established partnerships with the UN and its agencies as well as other international and regional organizations. 

RI also works closely with other disability organizations, actively participating in the International Disability Alliance (IDA), a coalition of the world's largest international organizations of and for people with disabilities.

What We Do

RI and its members develop and promote initiatives to protect the rights of people with disabilities and improve rehabilitation and other crucial services for disabled people and their families. RI also works toward increasing international collaboration and advocates for policies and legislation recognizing the rights of people with disabilities and their families, including the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

As a federation of local, national and international organizations and agencies, RI provides an open forum for the exchange of experience and information on research and practice.  

How We Work

RI is a democratic organization governed by an Assembly - representing its member   organizations - which meets annually to discuss the general policies of the organization. Members elect a President, currently Michael Fox of Australia, and Executive Committee every four years. The Executive Committee then appoints the Secretary General. Replacing Tomas Lagerwall in 2008 will be Venus Ilagan, who is a native of the Philippines. RI's headquarters are based in New York City, New York, USA.

RI is a matrix organization, with regional leadership in Africa, the Arab region, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America as well as thematic commissions in particular fields of expertise, which assist in developing and expanding program activities in accordance with RI's strategic goals. Commissions include:

Our Activities

RI and its members, Regions and Commissions are involved in a range of programs and projects, including:

  • Working with the UN, governments and disability organizations to promote implementation of existing international agreements, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Standard Rules for Equalization of Opportunities for People with Disabilities;
  • Providing training and technical assistance to governments, professionals and persons with disabilities on accessibility and technology, education, rehabilitation and habilitation, health, national policies and services, employment, social inclusion and participation, and sports and leisure activities, among other issues;
  • Implementing projects to fulfill RI's mission, particularly in developing countries, to fulfill RI's mission, such as:
    • raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and disability rights among disabled youth in Africa;
    • promoting the rights and inclusion of women with disabilities in the Arab region;
    • promoting the production of assistive technology in Latin America, Africa and Asia; and
    • promoting work and employment for persons with disabilities;
  • Organizing World Congresses and Regional Conferences - most recently in Tunisia (October 2007) and New York (August 2006)- and international meetings on disability-related topics;
  • Publishing comprehensive periodicals and reports on disability issues including the International Rehabilitation Review and One in Ten; and
  • Distributing information and audiovisual materials for public education and training in more than 150 countries.