Building empathy. Bridging gaps.

BridgED is a fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We teach students about common disabilities and the laws that protect disability rights, and we help educators support inclusive classrooms.

Our mission

Bring disabled and non-disabled students together through shared experiences that build understanding, inclusion, and genuine connection.

We aim to create a more connected and inclusive community where disabled and non-disabled students have meaningful opportunities to interact, participate, and build genuine connections. Through shared activities and other social events, we hope to bring students together in environments where disability is understood as one part of a person’s identity rather than a barrier between them and their peers.

BridgED students working together in a classroom under posters about inclusion and community

What we teach

The disabilities and rights students meet in real classrooms.

1 in 10U.S. children diagnosed with ADHD
1 in 36U.S. children diagnosed with autism
1 in 5People with some form of dyslexia
1 in 4U.S. adults with a functional disability

In school

Pictures from what we’ve done so far

Workshops, hallway activities, and a presentation at the Smithsonian on the Capitol Crawl.

Students and a mentor talking together in a bright classroom

Why this matters

Middle school is the moment to get this right.

In-person activities help students understand people with disabilities, not to feel sorry for them, but to know how to show up as classmates. Early education cuts down unintentional discrimination before high school.

Teachers set the tone for the whole room. When they have the materials and language for learning accommodations, the class becomes a place disabled students can actually belong.

Work with BridgED

Questions or a school visit. Get in touch with the BridgED team.

Contact us