As its name signifies, HPD-O strives to help persons with differing disabilities in various areas of life. It was founded in December 1994 and first registered with the Association’s Registry Office in May 1995. It was also re-registered in November 2009 as an Ethiopian Residents Charity numbered 0318, revitalizing its viability and continued functioning for the purpose its founders had envisioned.

Its founders consist of persons with and without disabilities, who enlisted shared commitment and optimism forging a common vision and sense of duty to work together for the improvement of the lives of persons with disabilities. The composition of the founders is composite in that it involves cross-impairment membership and partisan advocates without impairments. This cross-impairment and without impairment inclusiveness of membership is manifested in its governance and management, namely, the General Assembly, Managing Board, and Executive Management Office, respectively.