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NDSU MISSION STATEMENT:

The National Disabled Students Union (NDSU) is a national, cross-disability, student organization dedicated to social justice for all. Our mission is to mobilize and organize students with disabilities throughout the nation in order to continue the legacy of empowerment and community solidarity that is our heritage.

We recognize all disabled people - those with traditionally recognized disabilities and those who have often been left out of the movement - as our brothers and sisters, and we recognize all students - those who work to learn, whether or not they are at recognized schools - as our colleagues.

As one of the great leaders of our movement, Justin Dart, once said, "We are here, we are united, and we are proud." We work to ensure that all disabled students have the opportunities they need to learn, the opportunities they need to live and work, and the opportunities they need to be full participants in their communities and full members of American society.

NDSU was founded on February 21, 2001, in response to the US Supreme Court decision limiting the enforcement of Title I of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama et al. v. Garrett et al). Students with disabilities throughout the United States realized the far-reaching impact of this decision, and joined together to oppose the Supreme Court's pattern of undercutting civil rights legislation
in America.

We recognized the need for a concerted, nation-wide response that would put the Supreme Court - and the rest of the American public - on notice that students with disabilities in this country will no longer accept anything less than full participation, full equality, full justice, and the full dignity and respect that we deserve as equal human beings.
 

Values:

Accessibility and communication
Learning opportunity for students
Learning from one another
The Development of Valuable skills in Membership
Empowerment of Students and People with Disabilities
Full Inclusivity
Mutual Respect
Civil rights
Equality and a commitment to a continuing exploration to what equality means
Social justice for all
Cross disability movement
Pride
A commitment to changing attitude and educating
Freedom from coercion
Interdependence