About

Founded in 1985, The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) grew out of the need for a statewide cross-disability rights organization that advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. For over twenty years CCDI has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and teach the skills needed to affect change through our grassroots advocacy efforts. It is estimated that one out of every five Americans has some type of disability. As the largest minority in the country, people with disabilities have the ability to become a powerful force for change.
The answer to this question is advocacy, advocacy and more advocacy! CCDI is dedicated to advocating for the rights of all people with all types of disabilities. Whether it be at the local, state or federal levels, CCDI strives to keep our members informed of the most current disability rights issues and the ways they can help advocate.
CCDI achieves their goals in a variety ways. CCDI works to create a statewide network of advocates that connects individuals to others in their part of the state. Some of their members have chosen to form Chapters or Action Teams to work on specific advocacy issues. Each year CCDI creates an Advocacy Agenda of issues important to their membership. Advocacy Tool Kits are created to assist their members as they organize in their own communities throughout the state. CCDI also organizes rallies at the Capitol and partners with other disability focused organizations to create advocacy opportunities throughout the year.
Membership in CCDI is open to both individuals and organizations. Member benefits include a subscription to CCDI's disability rights newsletter The Catalyst, a discount on registration fees for their Annual Disability Rights Conference, information and referral services via our toll free line, Hot News and Action Alerts e-mails, monthly legislative updates and more.