The World Institute on Disability’s vision is a world where people with disabilities live fully integrated lives economically and socially. As an internationally recognized public policy center organized by and for people with disabilities, WID’s mission in communities and nations worldwide is to eliminate barriers to full social integration and increase employment, economic security, and health care for persons with disabilities.

As 2009 draws to a close, it is with great pride that we reflect on WID's achievements over the year. The following highlights several of our most outstanding initiatives, ranging from WID sponsored public policy victories to our spectacular, sold-out Ever Widening Circle showcasing disability arts and culture, to an array of innovative training and service projects focusing on increasing the civil rights and social inclusion of people with disabilities.

2009 Highlights

The California Work Incentives Initiative celebrated the Governor’s signature into law of WID sponsored A.B. 1269. This Policy victory provides working Medi Cal recipients the opportunity to save unlimited earnings and build assets while maintaining their health care benefits. The Veterans’ Benefits Online Tools Project is completing Phase II of its three-year design and development to build online calculator tools for wounded warriors and veterans with disabilities transitioning back to civilian employment. By early 2010, DB101 Information Services will be online and available in four states: California, Michigan, Minnesota and New Jersey.

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, WID's International Development Program launched a 3-year project in the Republic of Georgia to set up a sustainable wheelchair production and repair facility; a postural support seating and cushion service; regional sales and repair shops; and a mobility and self-care system, while implementing a community accessibility public education, advocacy skills and barrier removal campaign. WID is also working with other U.S.-based disability NGOs to promote inclusive development by USAID Missions in Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan and Mali and recently completed the first training and technical assistance visit to Colombia in November 2009.

Proyecto Visión continues as the only bilingual initiative that promotes training and employment for American Latinos with disabilities. Proyecto Visión recently expanded to serve transition age youth with disabilities from diverse backgrounds. The program provides the most comprehensive online list of scholarships, internships, employment, and study abroad opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities.

The Access to Assets Project provided disability wealth building seminars in more than 40 States in 2009 and assisted in national policy discussion to reform asset limits in federal benefits programs. ATA continues to publish EQUITY, the only disability asset building publication, and continues to work with partners to change the economic expectation of people with disabilities.

Our Health Access and Long Term Services Program continued to develop the Curriculum on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE), using stories of disabled people challenging and handling abuse and educational materials including movies, comic book scenes, quizzes and games to accommodate various levels of literacy, available in English and Spanish. The new MAP for Health Access Project uses text, video, and publications to illustrate how medical practices can be made more accessible.

WID continued our project with the American Red Cross to train its staff and volunteers to better serve people with disabilities during disasters. Across the country, Red Cross chapters and local disability organizations are working together to foster policies and procedures to recognize and address the needs of people with disabilities in our country’s emergency preparedness and disaster relief agenda.

We were thrilled to have more than 350 corporate and community representatives, all celebrating disability culture at our 11th Annual Ever Widening Circle with headliner Janice Ian. Finally, WID’s former Executive Director, presidential appointee Kathy Martinez was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy.

If you would like to donate to WID, please visit our Donate section or contact Rebecca Palmer at (510) 251-4361 or rebecca@wid.org.