Disability Support International
Advocate, Support, Empower
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Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Did you know that in our world today, 80% of those living with disabilities live in developing countries where services and supports lack greatly, if they exist at all? They often do not have access to opportunities including education and employment, freedom from discrimination and equal treatment. This often perpetuates the cycle of poverty and disability. Children are sometimes abandoned because their families are too poor or ashamed to care for them.
At DSI, we believe that as a society and world, we have the means to bring about change for the better and combat the systemic cycle of global disability and poverty. The needs are immense and often overwhelming, but we know that if we come together toward this cause, we can bring about lasting change for those needing it most.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
The Global Disability Directory
This online-based DSI program continuously works to grow and maintain an online international directory of organizations that provide support services for people with disabilities. The Directory is continuing to be compiled and updated by DSI volunteers, including students.
Learn more and access the Global Disability Directory at: www.ds-international.org/directory
Disability Training
DSI's model focuses on supporting and empowering the efforts and infrastructure of existing organizations in developing countries. In Cambodia we are developing and implementing a Training of Trainers disability training curriculum in collaboration with in-country partners, to build the knowledge and abilities of disability professionals, teachers, and other changemakers to increase inclusion in education and society.
Learn more about this program work at: https://www.ds-international.org/cfs-curriculum & https://www.ds-international.org/awg
Response to Calls for Assistance
Closely tied to our Global Disability Directory, DSI responds directly to request for assistance from around the world by connecting individuals with disability and families to known supports in their country or region, helping to connect them to disability supports available in their communities or region.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits member 2023
Minnesota NGO Network member 2023
US Global Leadership Coalition Minnesota Advisory Committee member 2023
International Association for Special Education 2023
External reviews
Our Sustainable Development Goals
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
At DSI, our mission is to advocate, support, and empower to improve the lives of people with disabilities in developing countries so that they can live life to the fullest.
Through collaboration with partner organizations in developing countries, we strive toward this mission and create sustainable forward momentum leading to better lives and more inclusive societies for those with disabilities for generations to come.
We do this because of the following key DSI principles:
- We Know that in our world today, many people living with disabilities have immense, unmet needs.
- We Believe that all people deserve equal rights and necessary support to have their needs met and place them on a path to reach their full potential.
- We Envision a world where every person with a disability can live a full life by receiving adequate care and support from their local communities and is empowered to contribute to their society.
- We Strive to work together with others aiming for the same, while simultaneously sparking a global conversation about the value, beauty, and potential within each person who has a disability.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We do not believe that we have all the answers. We know that the vicious cycle of disability and poverty is multifaceted and requires a collaborative, continuously evolving, innovative approach to address. Because of this, we cultivate relationships with Partner Organizations in targeted developing countries.
A DSI partner is a community or organization in a developing country, working to further the disability inclusion movement & meet needs within their own country, and self-identifying needs and asking for assistance
We also emphasize the following strategies for success:
1. We focus on working collaboratively within targeted countries and communities, to better the lives of those living with disabilities who are most in need in our world today.
2. We believe in continuous learning from the communities we serve, partners we work with and other organizations and professionals engaged in similar work.
3. We believe in continuous learning to the global discussion about the rights, value, and potential of all children and adults with disabilities and, in doing so, create meaningful change.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
At this time, our human means include a determined and driven group of professionals with various skills and expertise related to both disability sector work and organizational operations, working on the startup, program development and projected scaling in alignment with DSI's mission and vision.
To continuous grow our capabilities and build sustainable, effective programming, we have and continually conduct research, with in-country disability sector stakeholders (including people with disabilities, partner organizations, other development-sector NGOs, government officials, etc..) in targeted developing countries.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Incorporated in 2016, DSI is currently still in the startup and program development phase.
Identified keys to our startup success are:
- Build and maintain a strong, active, and informed Board of Directors
- Ensure that start-up goals and objectives target a realistic plan of action and build a foundation for sustainable change
- Secure sufficient funding, both for startup and ongoing programs and operations
- Define and implement strict financial controls and accountability
- Hire staff that share DSI's vision, aim to effectively carry out the mission, and propel development
- Create and expand partnerships with other professionals and organizations working in this field
- Develop program/project models of sustainably supporting partners and gauge effectiveness, modifying if and as needed
Accomplishments so far:
- Business Incorporated in the State of Minnesota
- Seed money ($10,000) secured from individual donor
- Cambodia research trip conducted by 4 special education teachers, including the 3 co-founders
- Founding Board of Directors recruited (current team includes 7 board members and an Executive Director), website launched and Bylaws written & adopted by founding board
- 501(c)(3) determination letter received from IRS
- Executive Director chosen as a U.S. Delegate to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit
- Securing consultancy and first program service revenue working with Save the Children in Cambodia
- Developing and delivering disability training to Cambodia NGO partners, families and Cambodian Ministry of Education officials
- Building DSI's Advisory Working Group, that is now working to research and develop DSI's disability training curriculum
What's next:
- Secure additional funding to continue growing positions and hiring U.S.-based and Cambodian-based staff
- Continue building, testing, conducting, and growing disability training programming
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Disability Support International
Board of directorsas of 10/02/2023
Morgan Croft-Schornak
Andrew Singer
Anna Forbes
Mick Wendland
Tabitha Kenlon
Jessica Bedingfield
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Transgender Identity
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