With 2012 on the horizon and economic recovery still eluding us, most Americans remain concerned about the financial future of themselves and their loved ones. For many Americans with disabilities, the economic downturn jeopardizes their quality of life and ability to live independently in the community. Three years of budget cuts threaten to undermine years of hard won battles for policies, programs and services crucial to maintaining independence and choice for Americans with disabilities. While high unemployment has been devastating for many Americans, twice as many Americans with disabilities have been laid off compared to non-disabled Americans.

With the support of our funders, partners and individuals like you, World Institute on Disability (WID) advocates for critical policies, programs and services needed to improve the economic standing of people with disabilities, especially those whose ability to live independently is most vulnerable to cuts in programs and services. WID produces innovative web based tools that enable Americans with disabilities and veterans to manage their disability benefits to maximize their options to return to work and reaches out and educates youth and people with disabilities from underserved and diverse communities about opportunities and strategies to build a better future available to them.

WID launched in 2011 the Center on Economic Growth to anchor our focus on increasing employment and economic standing of people with disabilities in the U.S. and worldwide, including our new demonstration project to promote employment of people with disabilities in small and medium businesses. Our International Program continues to seed a wheelchair micro business employing people with disabilities to produce low-cost, high-quality wheelchairs in the Republic of Georgia.

To support the human rights of people with disabilities worldwide, including the implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, WID is working to advance disability rights and inclusion in the Middle East and North Africa as part of a consortium of rights-based NGOs collaborating on the Justice and Dignity Project.

This year WID had the great privilege to honor Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at our annual gala, Ever Widening Circle, presenting him with our National Disability Leadership Award for his tireless efforts to increase employment of people with disabilities.

In these difficult economic times, we rely on community support and generosity of individuals like you to continue our important work to promote independence, choice and economic empowerment for people with disabilities. With your support, WID will continue our advocacy and policy work to defend critical programs that keep people with disabilities living in the community and out of institutions and provide necessary health care and employment supports. Your tax-deductible contribution is vital when funds for social justice work are scarce.

WID offers a variety of giving choices for your convenience. Please select from the following options:

Gifts by Credit Card or Check

• By Mail: Our "Donate by Mail" form can be used to mail us your gift. Please make checks payable to the World Institute on Disability, and mail the gift form to:
  
  Executive Office
  World Institute on Disability
  3075 Adeline St., Suite 280
  Berkeley, CA 94703
  
  
• By Phone: Please call the Assistant to the Executive Director at 510-225-6361 to make your gift over the phone, or to ask any questions about gift giving to WID.
• Donate Online: Gifts can be submitted online through Network for Good. Please note: These gifts are reduced by a 3% service charge. If you would like your entire donation to go to WID, please consider a gift by mail.

**Honor or memorialize someone by telling us on the gift form.

Thank you for your support, and happy holidays to you and your family!