What are OPDs

OPD umbrella organisations are coalitions of representative organisations of persons with disabilities. Different organisations of persons with disabilities may be members of an umbrella organisation representing their diversity. A diverse membership consisting of different OPDs allows them to represent the interests of people with disabilities in all their diversity. They are democratic and open in their functioning; they speak only on behalf of their member organisations and solely on matters of mutual interest that are collectively decided upon. The existence of umbrella organisations in a country should not hinder individuals or organisations of persons with disabilities from participating in consultations themselves.

Cross-disability organisations are composed of persons representing all or a wide diversity of impairments. They exist at local, national, regional and/or international levels.

Traditionally, several cross-disability organisations have been dominated by people with certain disabilities. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the disability groups they represent and invite underrepresented groups to consultations if necessary. 

Self-advocacy organisations are often loosely and locally formed networks and platforms. They advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, especially persons with intellectual disabilities and those who are denied their legal capacity, institutionalised, and denied the right to vote. Self-advocacy organisations provide appropriate support to enable their members to express their opinions and are crucial for their political participation as well as their involvement, in decision-making, monitoring and implementation processes. In many countries, self-advocacy organisations are refused legal status because of incapacity laws that deny the legal capacity of their members. Irrespective of their legal status, they must be a part of consultations.

Often self-advocacy networks function within family organisations and operate under their registration. Hybrid organisations that represent self-advocates and family members of persons with disabilities are common.

Organisations including family members of persons with disabilities are formed when persons with intellectual disabilities, and children with disabilities want to be supported by their families in exercising their right to participation, while remaining in full control. They are OPDs that promote and secure interests and help individuals to gain autonomy and participate actively. The role of parents, relatives and caregivers in such organisations is to assist and support the empowerment of persons with disabilities to have a voice and take control of their own lives. Through supported decision-making, persons with disabilities are ensured their rights and enabled to express their views. These organisations should be a part of consultation, decision-making, and monitoring processes.

Organisations of women and girls with disabilities represent women and girls with disabilities as a diverse group. They include all types of impairments and represent the intersectionality these women and girls experience. The participation of women and girls with disabilities is indispensable in consultations to bring out issues that exclusively or disproportionately affect women and girls with disabilities and issues related to gender equality in general.

Organisations and initiatives of children and young persons with disabilities work to ensure the participation of children, their right to be heard and to enable them to express and associate with others. They may be formally or informally organised, with adults holding the responsibility of supporting them by promoting an environment that allows them to establish and act.