Advocates Building Lasting Equality in New Hampshire (ABLE NH) advocates for the civil and human rights of children and adults with disabilities. We promote full participation by: improving systems, connecting families, inspiring communities, and influencing public policy. Our vision is to live in a world where the social, emotional, economic, and human rights of people with disabilities are fully realized.
Founded in 2008 by a group of advocates and with support from partner organizations, ABLE NH transitioned from an all-volunteer organization to one with paid staff in late 2016. We are a grassroots, member-driven organization that embraces the principle of "nothing about us without us," ensuring that people with lived experience of disability are at the forefront of our leadership, decision-making, and daily work.
ABLE NH's current work includes advocacy related to: housing and transportation equity for people with disabilities, accessible voting and civic engagement, equitable access to oral healthcare for adult Medicaid beneficiaries, and mental health equity for people living with dual diagnosis of disability and mental health conditions.
In 2024, ABLE NH partnered with People First and the UNH IOD to bring the annual Advocate NH Conference back after an extended hiatus, creating opportunities for Granite Staters with disabilities to network, sharpen their advocacy skills, and participate in group art projects. 2023, ABLE NH was proud to provide support and resources for the launch of the Rainbow Connection - A group of NH residents with disabilities who also identify as LGBTQ+ and meet monthly to build intersectional community. In 2022, we began bringing our community together each autumn for a vibrant annual Disability Justice Parade and festival. This year, we have deepened our work in our task forces and created series of trainings on transportation and mental health support, which we can provide to the general public free of charge thanks to donations like yours.
ABLE NH is the only disability advocacy organization in New Hampshire that is free of state and federal funding. This allows us to stand up boldly to broken systems on behalf of NH's disability community when when other groups may face restrictions. It also means that we rely on the generosity and memberships of community members like you to sustain our work. Your support has a tremendous impact!
Who We Are
ABLE NH (Advocates Building Lasting Equality in New Hampshire), is the Granite State’s only disability justice organization free of public funds where people with and without disabilities create meaningful space for people with disabilities in the areas of: public education, employment, civic engagement, and healthcare. In other words, we fight ableism in big and little places around NH. ABLE NH organizes ordinary citizens to become extraordinary leaders.
Our mission advancing human and civil rights for people with disabilities is achieved using a synergistic blend of the disciplined practice of community organizing – organizing people and their stories to clear demands about what needs to change, backed up with evidence-based best practices and research. This is a powerful tool for improving systems which are supposed to support a robust community-based life for people impacted by disability. We believe: Inclusion. Everyone. Everywhere. Everyday. Through our local chapters and state-wide task forces, members of ABLE NH decide what will be worked on. ABLE NH engages in courageous conversations
In 2009, ABLE NH started as the result of a year-long, intensive, multi-organizational planning committee which met to address the long overdue need for a solid and sustainable grass roots community organizing effort that could directly advocate for children and adults with disabilities in New Hampshire.
The group was led by, and included, the premier organizations surrounding disabilities in NH, including: the Institute on Disability at UNH, the Disabilities Rights Center, the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Parent Information Center, NH Family Voices, NH Area Agencies, Direct Support Providers, People First, and most importantly parents and self-advocates.