People With Disabilities Foundation

What People With Disabilities Foundation does

People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) is an IRS-approved § 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The organization's mission is to provide education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, with or without physical disabilities, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life. PWDF delivers services through two core programs: an Advocacy Program that provides legal representation and consultation for individuals with psychiatric and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities on Social Security (SSDI and SSI) benefits cases before the SSA and in federal court, plus representation in employment, post-secondary education, health care, and housing; and an Education Program that organizes public awareness seminars and workshops to educate the public and promote social change. Direct legal services are delivered from offices in San Francisco and Oakland across eight Bay Area counties (San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Napa, Solano, Sonoma), with advice-only services extending to seven additional California counties.

PWDF's product portfolio comprises training videos (e.g., "Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities" and "Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace"), audio CDs on Social Security work incentives and housing issues, a monthly legal clinic for Social Security beneficiaries with post-entitlement issues, a quarterly e-newsletter published since 2007 (currently past Volume 56), and a pilot grant program awarding $5,000–$12,500 to peer disability organizations. There is no proprietary technology platform; content is delivered as physical media (DVD, VHS, audio CD), in-person and YouTube livestream seminars, and direct attorney-client representation.

PWDF's revenue model is hybrid and nonprofit in nature: tax-deductible donations and contributions from individuals, foundations, and organizations; sales of educational materials via an online store (e.g., DVDs priced at $94.95–$164.95); sliding-scale legal services fees for Social Security disability representation (no one declined for inability to pay); and grantmaking activity (Phase 1 disbursed $27,000 across four grantees; Phase 2 expanded the grant range). Go-to-market is community-led, with channel mix including an active e-newsletter, a content website (pwdf.org), a YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter presence, public seminars (some qualifying for LCSW/MCLE continuing-education credits), and direct outreach at disability resource fairs in San Francisco and Alameda counties.

Name

People With Disabilities Foundation

Legal name

People With Disabilities Foundation

Website

https://pwdf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

People With Disabilities Foundation is a San Francisco–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing legal advocacy and education for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities across eight Bay Area counties. It delivers Social Security disability representation, training videos, seminars, and a grant program for peer organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI), Disability Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAC), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Social security disability representation
• Disability education workshops
• Nonprofit legal advocacy
• Psychiatric disability training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco, CA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, PWDF receives tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations to support its mission of providing education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities.
2. Sale of Educational Materials: PWDF sells training videos, DVDs, and educational materials through its online store. Products include videos on psychiatric disabilities in the workplace, audio CDs on Social Security disability work incentive programs, and accompanying workbooks.
3. Legal Services Fees: PWDF provides legal representation for Social Security disability benefits cases using a sliding scale fee structure based on ability to pay. No one is declined due to inability to pay for advocacy services.
4. Grant Programs: PWDF operates pilot grant programs awarding smaller grants (range of $5,000 to $12,500) to other disability-related organizations for specific programs, projects, or general operating expenses related to advocacy, education, vocational, or other services to people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) provides education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. Its core offerings include legal representation for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI), educational training programs for employers and HR professionals on accommodating psychiatric disabilities, audio and video educational materials, public seminars and workshops, and a pilot grant program funding other disability-focused organizations.

Product overview

People With Disabilities Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering advocacy and education services for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities. The core product portfolio consists of training videos (Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities; Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace), audio educational products (Social Security Disability Work Incentive Programs; Housing Issues), a monthly legal clinic for Social Security beneficiaries, quarterly e-newsletters, and a pilot grant program. The organization also provides workshops, seminars, and referral services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities

Quantifiable outcome

• Class action settlement with SSA providing reasonable accommodations for plaintiff with schizophrenia to have equal, meaningful access to SSA disability programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWDF and LAS-ELC filed an administrative class action complaint against SSA in 2013 for violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, alleging discrimination against individuals with mental and/or developmental disabilities. The organizations have collaborated on multiple legal actions against SSA.
• NASW-CA (National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWDF seminars qualify for continuing education credits for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the CA State Board of Behavioral Sciences, provided by NASW-CA.
• State Bar of CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWDF seminars are approved for MCLE (Minimum Continuing Legal Education) credits by the State Bar of California, including credits in Recognition & Elimination of Bias and Estate Planning, Trust, & Probate Law.
• University of California San Francisco (UCSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWDF presented a workshop on conservatorships and Social Security disability representative payee services to nurse practitioner students at UCSF School of Nursing. PWDF Board President/Legal Director Steven Bruce and Board member Janet Espey served as speakers.
• Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor CertificationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWDF is a continuing education provider approved by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
• Buckelew ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuckelew Programs, a nonprofit that works to enhance self-sufficiency for adults with mental illness, co-sponsored a PWDF employment seminar. Serves Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.
• The Arc of the United StatesminorOthersPhase 1 pilot grant recipient of PWDF's grant program. Received $7,500.00 grant.
• Casa Allegra Community ServicesminorOthersPhase 1 pilot grant recipient of PWDF's grant program. Received $7,500.00 grant.
• Kidpower Teenpower FullpowerminorOthersPhase 1 pilot grant recipient of PWDF's grant program. Received $7,000.00 grant.
• Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation CenterminorOthersPhase 1 pilot grant recipient of PWDF's grant program. Received $5,000.00 grant.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Disability Rights Network: The national membership association for the P&A and Client Assistance Program (CAP) network. Comparable as a national disability rights advocacy organization that supports legal representation and systemic-change litigation for people with disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, providing advocacy, education, and support for people affected by mental illness. Comparable to PWDF as a mental health advocacy and education organization, though serving broader constituencies and at significantly larger scale.
• Mental Health America: National nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health and addressing the needs of those living with mental illness through advocacy, education, and research. Comparable to PWDF as a mental health advocacy and public education organization with similar anti-stigma mission.

Direct peers

• NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives): Professional association for Social Security disability advocates and attorneys. Comparable to PWDF as a Social Security disability representation and advocacy organization, with overlapping focus on SSA benefits representation for individuals with disabilities.
• Disability Rights California: California's federally mandated protection and advocacy (P&A) system for people with disabilities. Comparable to PWDF as a California-based disability advocacy organization providing legal representation and rights protection, though operating at much larger scale and with broader disability focus.
• Disability Rights Advocates: National nonprofit disability rights legal center based in California, pursuing high-impact litigation and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. Comparable to PWDF as a California-based disability rights organization pursuing systemic litigation and legal advocacy.
• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: National legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the rights of people with mental disabilities. Direct peer to PWDF as both focus specifically on psychiatric/mental disability rights through litigation, policy advocacy, and public education.
• Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC): San Francisco-based legal services organization and PWDF's co-litigant in class action lawsuits against the SSA. Direct peer given shared legal advocacy work, geographic overlap, and joint litigation strategy on behalf of individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities.

Others

• The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Comparable to PWDF as a disability advocacy organization with overlapping focus on developmental disabilities; PWDF has also provided grant funding to an Arc chapter.

Regional players

• Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID): San Diego-based independent living center providing advocacy and services for people with disabilities. Comparable to PWDF as a California-based disability advocacy organization providing direct services, though with broader disability focus and independent living center model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PWD_Foundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/adminpwdf/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PWDFdotOrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/people-with-disabilities-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about People With Disabilities Foundation