UPWD saw the need for an organization that would unite and be a (or the) voice for the 54 plus million American people with disabilities. Membership is free! By joining UPWD, it will allow you not only to be heard, you will also receive benefits and discounts in your Welcome package.

What is the purpose of United People With Dis"abilities?

• UPWD is an umbrella organization for people with disabilities.
• Securing benefits such as... life, health, automobile and disability insurance, etc. for our members.
• Acquiring discounts on products/services for our members.
• Working together with our members towards common goals.
• Educating the public.
• Informing government policy makers regarding issues affecting people with disabilities.
• Supporting the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
• To help people with disabilities fulfill their aspirations.
• Helping people with disabilities take their rightful place in society. For example, people with disabilities want to work. Work, and WORK AT HOME is just one of the many important areas we will be focusing on. UPWD has, and still is experiencing what you are experiencing concerning work related issues. Below are a few quotes taken from a US government census report. (Like the government really needed to spend millions on a census to tell people with disabilities this.)

"The presence of a disability is associated with lower levels of income and an increased likelihood of being in poverty."

"Disability is associated with differences in income."

"Having a disability will increase the percent among those living in public or subsidized housing."

"Disabilities mean a reduced chance for employment."

"The presence of a disability is associated with an increased likelihood of health insurance coverage from the Federal Government and a reduced likelihood of private coverage. The effect of disability on the likelihood of private coverage was particularly strong among those with a severe disability."

To view the above-mentioned US government statistics on citizens with disabilities, go to: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability.html

• UPWD not only wants to increase your chances of acquiring a job, educate the public and change the stereotype of how a person with a disability is viewed, inform the government and you of the latest news, we will also be covering important issues in our OPINION MATTERS, such as, the "right to die," "mercy killings," "God and disability" and any other subject you want to discuses.

UPWD was formed under the principal that if one person, on a dark, dreary night, by
lighting a candle, could produce enough of a flickering flame to find their way... WHAT
WOULD HAPPEN IF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES UNITED
AND EACH HAD A FLAME? This type of gathering would produce a brilliant light that
could be seen from across an ocean. It would give those gathered a sense of security knowing that they are not alone. This type of gathering would not only produce an abundance of light for those around it, it would be so bright and spectacular that those far away would have to take notice. UPWD is that light!