A Voice of Our Own
Human rights. Full participation. Equal opportunities.
A global, cross-disability network of organisations of persons with disabilities — governed by persons with disabilities themselves — advocating for the rights, dignity and inclusion of 1.3 billion people worldwide since 1981.
130+
Countries
6
Regional blocks
115
National assemblies
Since 1981
Advocating
About DPI
Disabled Peoples' International is a human-rights organisation committed to the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the promotion of their full and equal participation in society. Established in 1981, DPI is represented through the active membership of national organisations of persons with disabilities in over 130 countries.
DPI was founded as a social movement grounded in the social model of disability — the understanding that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairments. It is cross-disability and controlled by persons with disabilities, working at national, regional and international level so that people can speak for themselves.
115+
Countries
6
Regional blocks
115
National assemblies
Since 1981
Advocating
Figures reflect the membership migrated from dpi.org and DPI's published statement of representation in over 130 countries.
Our purpose
Every part of DPI's work returns to the same principles, expressed in the founding purpose of full participation, equalisation of opportunity and development.
The CRPD as the foundation for law, policy and practice everywhere.
Persons with disabilities in every decision that affects their lives.
Equalisation of opportunity in education, work and public life.
A 2030 Agenda that leaves no person with a disability behind.
Our work
Political participation, the rights of women and girls with disabilities, and freedom from violence and abuse.
Read moreCarrying the voice of persons with disabilities into the Conference of States Parties, the High-level Political Forum and regional bodies.
Read moreLeadership training, organisational strengthening and independent living, delivered by the regional blocks.
Read moreFrom the MDGs to the 2030 Agenda — ensuring development leaves no person with a disability behind.
Read moreRatification, implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Read moreSix regional development blocks recruiting members, building leadership and carrying out regional advocacy.
Read moreGlobal presence
DPI’s African membership spans anglophone, francophone, lusophone and arabophone countries, working through national federations of persons with disabilities.
39 national assemblies
DPI Asia-Pacific (DPI AP) convenes national assemblies from South Asia, South-East Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, and works closely with the UN ESCAP disability agenda.
24 national assemblies
DPI works across the Arab region in partnership with the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), including on refugees and persons with disabilities in humanitarian crises.
7 national assemblies
DPI Europe links national disability councils and umbrella organisations across the continent and has worked on the rights of migrants and refugees with disabilities.
18 national assemblies
DPI’s Latin American membership works through national confederations and federations of persons with disabilities, in close cooperation with the regional network RIADIS.
11 national assemblies
This region links national councils and chapters across the Caribbean, Canada, the United States and Guyana, several of which were founding forces in DPI.
16 national assemblies
Announcements
A message from the DPI World President setting out an eight-point plan for 2025–2027 to restore DPI to its full strength.
Newsroom
DPI is pleased to announce the election of Mr Abdus Sattar Dulal, a long-standing disability-rights advocate from Bangladesh, as its World President.
Read more
Dialogue is the solution, not war. DPI reiterates that the best way to protect human rights is to negotiate with all stakeholders.
Read more
A shared statement for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 on equitable access to vaccines and disability-inclusive recovery.
Read moreEvents
3 December 2026 Worldwide
Observed every year on 3 December, the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a focal point for DPI statements and member events around the world.
Resources
Statement · 2017
DPI’s statement to the 10th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, calling to open development to all with no one left behind.
Position Paper · 2016
DPI’s position on bioethics questions as they affect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Declaration · 2016
Adopted by 14 member national assemblies at the DPI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly in Tokyo. It sets out actions towards the midpoint review of the In...
DPI is a federation of organisations of persons with disabilities. The most direct way to take part is through the national assembly in your own country.
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