HPD-O was formed as an Organization of Persons with disability(OPD) on 6 December 1994 in the founding meeting of its seven members who signed and endorsed its very first Bylaw. The majority of the founders where persons with disabilities which isthe guiding policy of the organization for the realization of the effective leadership consisted of persons with diasibilities to ensure majority.   Consistent with and in realization of this organizational nature, it has been the guiding policy of the organization to ensure majority.
membership of PWDs and leadership of and by PWDs, in all its governing structures: General Assembly (GA), Managing Board, and Secretariat.

 This policy is consistent with the requirement of majority membership of PWDs for an OPD that has been enshrined in the Policy Guidelines for Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals Foundations (Advanced Version) of the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued in 2020. As a result, HPDO stands out to be one of OPDs in Ethiopia likely to be consulted with and actively involved by the government in the process of the development and implementation of all polices and legislations as well as in all decision-making process that affect PWDs (UNCRPD,2006, Art. 4.3).