Grassroots' History

The Grassroots Consortium on Disabilities is a national coalition of community-based, parent directed, family support and information organizations serving culturally and linguistically diverse families who have children with disabilities and are living in traditionally underserved communities.  The member organizations are located in eleven different states and the Virgin Islands. Together, they are reaching and serving over 150,000 urban and rural families.  The services provided are individualized, flexible, and comprehensive, often including assistance with meeting basic life needs related to poverty along with the disability-related needs.  The directors of all Grassroots organizations are parents or siblings of family members who have disabilities, and reside in the communities served by their organizations.

Grassroots was formed in 1995 to enhance the efforts of individual community-based organizations and to serve as a national resource and voice for the families served by these organizations.  Fostering leadership development is a key component of the Grassroots Consortium on Disabilities.  Grassroots has worked to protect and strengthen community-based organizations through leadership, training, and advocacy efforts. As a result these uniquely qualified organizations have been recognized for their successes in meeting the needs of underserved families.

The journal of the Grassroots Consortium on Disabilities, Tapestry, has provided information about best practices being implemented by member organizations, and has heightened awareness about issues of concern for culturally and linguistically diverse families of children and youth with disabilities.