Organization
UNAPEI
UNAPEI is the primary French national network of associations representing people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and their families, uniting over 900,000 people through 330 member associations. It advocates for rights, inclusion, and quality services at every stage of life.
About
Founded in 1960, UNAPEI (Union Nationale des Associations de Parents, de Personnes Handicapées Mentales et de leurs Amis) is France's leading umbrella body for intellectual and developmental disability advocacy, coordinating 330 member associations across the country.
What They Do
UNAPEI lobbies for legislative change, supports member-association service delivery across education, employment, and housing, runs national awareness campaigns, and promotes transition support for young adults. It publishes policy recommendations and coordinates France's engagement with international disability rights bodies.
Who They Serve
People with intellectual disabilities, autism, polyhandicap, and psychosocial disabilities, together with their families and carers throughout France.
Related Organizations
Autistic Self Advocacy Network(ASAN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalASAN is a national advocacy organisation run by and for autistic people, working to advance the rights of autistic people through public policy, community-building, and direct support. Their motto is "Nothing About Us Without Us."
Disabled-LedAutismAdvocacyThe Arc
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalThe Arc is the largest national community-based organisation in the United States for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, with more than 600 chapters nationwide providing direct services and advocacy.
Mixed LeadershipIntellectual & Developmental DisabilityAdvocacyNational Federation of the Blind(NFB)
FeaturedBaltimore, MDNationalThe NFB is the largest organisation of blind people in the US, with over 50,000 members organised in chapters in all 50 states. Led entirely by blind people, NFB is known for its strong civil rights stance, its flagship Jernigan Institute, and landmark accessibility litigation including the Target.com lawsuit.
Disabled-LedBlind / Low VisionAdvocacy