Since Handicap International's founding in France in 1982, seven other sections have been created in Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States. The goal of the international organization is to bring the organization's values and mission to the attention of key players on the world stage.

This network also allows Handicap International to expand and diversify its public and private financial resources. In 2004, Handicap International received contributions totaling $4.8 million dollars from its international sections.

Furthermore, Handicap International also aims to raise awareness of its causes (campaign events, lobbying) to the general public and political decision makers. Work to set up a Handicap International federation began in 2003. In 2004 a common policy document was adopted and a federal model is currently being finalized.

Specific missions 

Handicap International has two implementation platforms -- France and Belgium -- from which over 240 programs in some seventy countries are managed directly.  The other six sections provide operational support and technical expertise, recruit volunteer and professional staff, raise funds and carry out work that is specifically related to its particular national context.

The Swiss section represents the network before international authorities based in Geneva such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) while the American section does the same before the United Nations organizations based in New York and the World Bank and other key institutions in Washington, DC.  The German section coordinates technical support for the development of local partnerships in the countries where we work and sits on the GDDP. The U.K. section works closely, on behalf of the network, with specialized organizations and universities involved in disability issues and development and provides technical expertise in inclusive education.  The Luxembourg section works on health economics. 

Each section also works on public outreach and education on issues of critical importance to the people with who we work locally.  Campaigns include the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Cluster Munition Campaign and the campaign against disabling infectious diseases.