National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) grew from a recognition of the need for journalists and educators to better understand the complexity and diversity of disability and disability reporting issues. While other diversity journalism organizations exist to bring attention to ethnic, gender and sexual orientation issues, a consistent disability journalism organization had been absent from the industry.

Freelance photographer Suzanne C. Levine founded NCDJ in 1998. Then called the Disability Media Project, the organization incorporated in California in June of 1998 and was granted nonprofit 501(c)3 status in February 1999. The name changed to NCDJ in November 2000.

In the summer of 1999, Levine formed an advisory group consisting of experienced journalists, educators, and disability experts. The group addressed the question of how NCDJ might work best with the news industry. In March 2000, after numerous meetings and animated discussions, it was decided the best course was to establish a journalism education organization that focused on disability reporting issues.

Originally run out of the founder's home, in January 2001, NCDJ was invited to share office space at San Francisco State University with professors who supported the organization's mission. In April 2002, NCDJ moved into its own office on Market Street in San Francisco. In June 2004, NCDJ took a leap and moved to Boston. In an effort to expand the organization, in 2006 NCDJ began the process to consolidate with a journalism education program at a university. An announcement will be shortly forthcoming!

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