U.S. Alliance

Who We Are

The U.S. Alliance is a new disability justice oriented collective convening women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities from across the United States together to take action on issues important to our community.

Mission Statement

We aim to educate policymakers, related human and civil rights organizations, and the larger community about pertinent issues that affect our lives as women, non-binary persons and other gender minorities with disabilities. Our work addresses ableism along with other relevant intersections of discrimination and prejudice such as racism, sexism, and Heteronormativity etc. In addition to engaging in education and initiating change, the Alliance is a safe, supportive, feminist, and disability justice-oriented space where members can connect with one another, and share experiences and insights.

What We Do

We meet virtually on at least a quarterly basis to discuss Alliance tasks. In addition to the official meetings, we will have at least two virtual or in- person social meet- ups per year. Alliance members maintain shared ownership over the space and its activities, and work on advocacy tasks together. Live closed captioning is provided at all meetings. Other access accommodations are available upon request.

Priority Issues

2022 U.S. Alliance Priorities:

  • Home and community-based services, accessible affordable housing, and de-institutionalization of women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities
  • Employment rights and justice for women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities
  • Educating about disability, including the social and cultural aspects of disability, and its multiple intersections (e.g., educating and working with related human and civil rights organizations)
  • Sexual and reproductive health rights and justice/parental rights and justice for women, nonbinary persons, and other gender minorities with disabilities.

2022 Highlights

·      Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) Submission for the review of the United States of America on Women, Girls, Non-binary People, and Gender Minorities with Disabilities from Marginalized Races 

·       What Disabled Folks Need: Roe v Wade and Home and Community-Based Services By Kayla Rodríguez and Oluwatobi Odugunwa

US Alliance Launch Zoom
Zoom squares showing the smiling faces of U.S. Alliance members during the March 11, 2022 launch event.

I want to join The Alliance! Who is eligible to participate?

The Alliance is open to all who identify as disabled – regardless of gender – and who live in, or are from the U.S., or its territories. All members must be committed to centering and elevating the voices of women (cis and trans), nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, genderless, and gender non-conforming persons with disabilities.

What else do I need to know before joining?

Honorarium

Honorariums (payments) are available to Alliance members who assist with Alliance tasks. Meeting attendance honorariums are also available for members whose attendance at meetings is not funded by their employer.

Leadership

The Alliance operates under a collective leadership structure. the Alliance assumes collective responsibility for getting tasks done. The group coordinator, currently WEI, provides logistical support the to the Alliance.

Guiding Principles

Alliance members agree to follow and support a set of shared values and rules through their words and actions. Review the Guiding Principles for the Alliance.

How to Join

If for any reason the expression of interest form is not accessible to you or if you have any other questions, please contact the Alliance Coordinator, Janie Mejias, at J.mejias@womenenabled.org.

Janie Mejias and her service dog, Haven.
U.S. Alliance Organizer, Janie Mejias, and her service dog, Haven, look out the window of WEI’s office building in Washington, DC.