Our Mission
The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) works to advance the human and civil rights of people with disabilities, ensuring full and equal participation in all aspects of community life and the political process.
Who We Are
VCDR is a coalition of 24 member organizations, including local and statewide groups of Vermonters with disabilities, parents, advocates, and service providers. Originally founded in 1974 as the Vermont Coalition of the Handicapped (VCH), we changed our name to the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) in 1990 to better reflect our mission.
What We Do
Legislative & Policy Advocacy – We fight for policies that protect and promote disability rights in Vermont.
Grassroots Engagement – We empower individuals and families to get involved in disability advocacy.
Coalition Building – We bring together organizations, allies, and individuals committed to protecting the rights and services that support self-determination and community participation.
Get Involved
This is a time of important change and new initiatives for VCDR. While we continue our legislative and policy work, we are also:
- Expanding our grassroots campaign to involve more Vermonters with disabilities and their families.
- Reaching out to new organizational members and allies to strengthen our advocacy efforts.
- Providing multiple ways to connect, including our website and email alerts to share disability rights news, advocacy opportunities, and personal stories.
Your voice matters. Disability rights advocacy needs all of us—individuals, families, and allies. If you’d like to join our advocacy alert network, please email or write to us.
Our Leadership
VCDR is governed by a Board of Governors, with two representatives from each member organization. These board members:
- Vote on internal policies
- Shape VCDR’s annual legislative platform
- Guide the coalition’s direction
VCDR also welcomes non-voting individual members, who are encouraged to participate in all of our meetings and activities. VCDR is primarily funded through grants and membership dues from our coalition organizations.
We welcome new organizational members and allies who share our commitment to protecting rights and services that support self-determination and community participation. Our coalition is supported by membership dues from our organizations, reinforcing our collective advocacy efforts.