Organization
ARCH Disability Law Centre(ARCH)
ARCH Disability Law Centre is an Ontario specialty legal clinic that has practised exclusively in disability rights law since its incorporation in 1979, defending and advancing the equality rights, entitlements, and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities and low incomes. It provides direct legal services, intervenes in test-case litigation, and engages in law reform to shape disability rights across the province and country.
About
ARCH was established in 1979 as part of Ontario's community legal clinic system, making it one of the few clinics in Canada dedicated entirely to disability rights law. Based in Toronto, it holds standing before major courts and human rights tribunals and is consistently recognised as a leader in disability rights jurisprudence.
What They Do
ARCH provides direct legal advice and representation to Ontarians with disabilities on matters including human rights, education, accessible housing, income support, and healthcare decision-making. It conducts test-case litigation to set precedents that benefit the broader disability community, submits to legislative and regulatory consultations, and publishes plain-language legal education resources accessible to self-advocates.
Who They Serve
ARCH serves people with any type of disability in Ontario who have low incomes and face legal barriers to equality or access. It has a particular focus on systemic issues affecting people with psychiatric disabilities, developmental disabilities, and those navigating the intersection of disability and poverty.
Related Organizations
National Disability Rights Network(NDRN)
FeaturedWashington, DCNationalNDRN is the membership association for the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) organisations in every US state and territory. P&A organisations provide free legal advocacy and representation to people with disabilities — with a combined budget of over $150 million, they are the largest provider of legal services to people with disabilities in the US.
Mixed LeadershipCross-DisabilityLegal AdvocacyAmerican Association of People with Disabilities(AAPD)
Washington, DCNationalAAPD is a national disability membership organisation focused on increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on civic engagement, voting rights, and economic advancement.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacyFédération Sénégalaise des Associations des Personnes Handicapées(FSAPH)
Dakar, SNNationalThe Fédération Sénégalaise des Associations des Personnes Handicapées is Senegal's national umbrella federation of 28 disability associations, founded in Dakar in 1997. It advocates for the rights and social inclusion of people with all disability types across all regions of the country.
Disabled-LedCross-DisabilityAdvocacy