National Council on Independent Living

Community Conversation: Federal Funding and Government Shutdown Impact on The Independent Living Program - National Council on Independent Living In light of the recent government shutdown, we know many of you have questions about how this may affect funding and your programs. We want to hear from you! We invite you...

Community Conversation: Federal Funding and Government Shutdown Impact on The Independent Living Program

October 9, 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern

Read more: bit.ly/4mVTisq

Federal Funding for Centers for Independent Living Secured Ahead of New Grant Cycle - National Council on Independent Living FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. — The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the Association of Programs for...

Federal Funding for Centers for Independent Living Secured Ahead of New Grant Cycle

NCIL, APRIL, and NASILC acknowledge the issuance of federal Notices of Award (NOAs) for Part C funds to Centers for Independent Living (CILs), finalized just before the end of the fiscal year.

More: bit.ly/3KvAClF

The Game Changer: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Theo Braddy, Executive Director National Council on Independent Living A reflection on the 52nd anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act, which was on September 26, 2025. Before the Rehabilitatio…

The Game Changer: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

A reflection on the 52nd anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act by NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy.

Read more: bit.ly/3IIszBl

Unofficial Isn’t Enough: Centers for Independent Living Still Waiting for Federal Funding - National Council on Independent Living FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2025 Washington, D.C. — The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), the...

Unofficial Isn’t Enough: Centers for Independent Living Still Waiting for Federal Funding

NCIL, APRIL, and NASILC are raising urgent concern that despite assurances of pending funding, federal Notices of Award (NOAs) for Part C funds have still not been formally issued.

Read more: bit.ly/46WNV7s

Flyer for the Access to the Skies Summit. Text reads, “Access to the Skies Summit. Co-presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and All Wheels Up. September 26; 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT. Free to attend. In-person & Online. Learn about efforts to make air travel more accessible now and in the future. REGISTER: https://cvent.me/OMB7MG.” Graphic includes images of clouds and the PVA and All Wheels Up logos.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and All Wheels Up are co-hosting the Access to the Skies Summit on September 26.

This free online and in-person event in the Seattle area will update members of the disability community on efforts to make air travel more accessible.

More: cvent.me/OMB7MG

Opening Doors: Advancing Consumer Control Through HCBS Systems Advocacy - National Council on Independent Living Register Friday, September 19, 2025; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern This interactive workshop will explore how Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) systems advocacy directly supports the core services o...

Opening Doors: Advancing Consumer Control Through HCBS Systems Advocacy

September 19, 2025; 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern

This workshop will explore how Home and Community-Based Services systems advocacy directly supports the core services of Centers for Independent Living.

More: bit.ly/4mXntQG

OPEN POSITION: ADRC Service Coordinator, Tri-County Independent Living (Eureka, CA)

Open until filled
Posted: September 10, 2025

The ADRC Service Coordinator provides expedited access to services and support for individuals at risk of institutionalization.

More: tilinet.org/about/jobs/

NCIL Mourns the Loss of Shelly Simmons - National Council on Independent Living NCIL passes on our condolences to the State of Georgia and mourns the passing of Shelly Simmons,...

NCIL Mourns the Loss of Shelly Simmons

NCIL passes on our condolences to the State of Georgia and mourns the passing of Shelly Simmons, Executive Director of the Georgia Statewide Independent Living Council.

bit.ly/46oBqBj

2025 Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Awards Celebration - Tash.org Each year, TASH celebrates those who have made history in the disability field, and who have worked tirelessly in the legal field for equity, opportunity, and

NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy will participate in the panel: Pressing for National Action to Preserve Progress on Disability Rights at TASH's Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Award Celebration.

More info about this in-person event in Washington, DC: tash.org/2025OLDL

Did You Know? Healthcare often fails people with disabilities. Why: Bias, inaccessibility, and lack of provider training can cause unequal treatment and harm. #EndAbleism

This video is part of NCIL’s Campaign to End Ableism! Help spread the word by sharing our ongoing #EndAbleism messages.

A Message from Theo Braddy: The First Time - National Council on Independent Living Listen to the audio version of this message This is Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National...

A Message from NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy: The First Time

There are moments in life that change everything, moments you never forget. For me, one of those moments came rushing back recently, like a floodgate of memories breaking wide open.

Read more: bit.ly/3UX9Zbu
Audio: bit.ly/47V1fdk

Textured orange background with a banner that says, Action Alert! Text reads: Fight for fair pay for home care workers! The Department of Labor (DOL) is thinking about making a rule. The rule would stop many domestic workers from getting paid at least minimum wage. The rule would also stop many domestic workers from getting overtime pay. Read our plain language guide to learn how you can take action to stop this proposed rule! The ASAN logo is at the bottom.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is thinking about making a rule. The rule would stop many domestic workers from getting paid at least minimum wage. The rule would also stop many domestic workers from getting overtime pay. Take action with our plain language guide: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/08/figh...

National Council on Independent Living

Check out NCIL’s revamped YouTube channel!

It features archived livestreams from NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living, including keynotes, awards, special events, and interviews with attendees.

Watch at: www.youtube.com/@ncilvideo

OPEN POSITION: Part Time Bookkeeper, APRIL (Remote) - National Council on Independent Living The Association for Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL): The United Voice of Independent Living in Rural...

OPEN POSITION: Part Time Bookkeeper, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (Remote)

Closing / removal date: open until filled

Type of position: Hourly (10-12 hours per week, flexible), non-exempt, up to $25,000 annually

Read more: bit.ly/461A9yW

Disability Squeeze Symposium

September 26, 2025

This hybrid event is a research and policy conversation on the higher cost of living with a disability.

Register and learn more: disabilitysqueeze.org

Presented by Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare and New York Law School.

Portraits and Portals: Preview Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

🎥 The Portraits & Portals trailer is here! qrco.de/P-Ptrailer

A glimpse into the creativity + resilience of disabled artists and disaster survivors of color.

Premiere: Aug 27, 2PM ET
Register: tinyurl.com/portraitspor...
Event includes ASL, Spanish & French interpretation
#PortraitsAndPortals 💜

Blue textured background. Text reads: ASAN Condemns Federal Takeover of DC Policing. Full Statement on Website. The ASAN logo is at the bottom

Blue texted background. Text inside a light orange box reads: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network strongly opposes the Trump administration’s dangerous intrusion into policing in the District of Columbia. Such actions place autistic people and other people with disabilities (including our own employees) residing in the District at risk. They are particularly concerning in light of the President’s remarks regarding people with mental illness - who he refers to as “maniacs” - and the Administration’s recent executive order demonizing and criminalizing such persons and calling for increased institutionalization. DC has recently had success with community-based, non-police responses to people in mental health crisis. Instead of supporting such effective measures, the administration and its allies in Congress have punched an enormous hole in DC’s budget, making such programs much harder to fund.

ASAN strongly opposes the Trump administration’s dangerous intrusion into policing in the District of Columbia. Such actions place autistic people and other people with disabilities (including our own employees) residing in the District at risk. Full statement: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/08/asan...

2025 Top 123 (Captioned) 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living

#NCIL2025 Photos Now Available!

Top 123 Photos (Captioned): bit.ly/4oMUeS4

Photographer’s Selects (532 photos): bit.ly/3HvHUVu

Full unedited photos (2,877 photos): bit.ly/45MPgfp

Email eleanor@ncil.org with any questions or edit requests.

Inclusion Is Independence: Patrick Frozini on Empowering Youth with Disabilities at CILSF Patrick Frozini, Youth Transition Coordinator at the Center for Independent Living of South Florida, shares how his own journey as a student and self-advocate led him into a career supporting other young people with disabilities. In this video, he reflects on the importance of treating young adults with disabilities as adults—not children—and how inclusion leads to independence. From safe sex education and self-advocacy to navigating public transportation and civic engagement, Patrick and his team focus on giving young adults real-world tools and experiences that affirm their adulthood and full place in the community. His message is clear and powerful: when we include people with disabilities in all aspects of life, we give them the chance to grow, lead, and thrive.

Today’s featured video is an interview with Patrick Frozini, Youth Transition Coordinator at the CIL of South Florida: bit.ly/47DCsKK

NCIL thanks Matt Shedd and Disability Rights Podcasts for the amazing interviews produced during NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference. Watch more videos: bit.ly/4mG9G0q

YouTube video by Disability Rights Podcasts Fighting for Disability Justice in South Carolina with Beth Ruffin of Able SC

Today’s featured video is an interview with Beth Ruffin, Vice Chair of Able SC: youtu.be/kEPzriSTmCw

NCIL thanks Matt Shedd and Disability Rights Podcasts for the amazing video interviews produced during NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living! Watch more interviews: bit.ly/4mG9G0q

Trump’s Executive Order Rolls Back Decades of Disability Rights The ABA Commission on Disability Rights opposes the sweeping misuse of federal power to promote a policy that segregates individuals with disabilities from society.

America Bar Association: Trump’s Executive Order Rolls Back Decades of Disability Rights

Read more: bit.ly/3Hh38X8

Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center Grows Reach Direct care workers are essential professionals, helping older adults and people with disabilities age in place and maintain independence. The Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center has selected 17 n...

NCOA Expands State Participation in Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center

ADA35 - Investment in Human Rights - ABILITY Magazine President Bush signing the ADA On 7/26/1990 President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 into law on the South Lawn of the White House. Shown sitting from left to right are...

ABILITY Magazine: ADA35 – Investment in Human Rights

“Beginning at the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel, two long rows of protesters marched and wheeled, side-by-side, hugging the sidewalk, quickly evolved into passionate chants and a full crowd that covered Pennsylvania Ave NW”

More: bit.ly/3UNKucl

A Message from Theo Braddy: Honoring Judy Heumann: Her Spirit Lives On - National Council on Independent Living Listen to the audio version of this message Hello, this is Theo Braddy, executive director of NCIL....

A Message from Theo Braddy

Starting now, I’ll be including short, real-life stories from what will one day become my published book. The first story is entitled: “Honoring Judy Heumann: Her Spirit Lives On.”

Read more: bit.ly/4ojz7GB
Audio: bit.ly/4mzssGQ

Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the PEO Model: A Strategic Partner for Business Growth. August 12, 2025; 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern. NCIL: National Council on Independent Living Empowerment Training Academy and Questco logos.

Webinar: Understanding the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Model: A Strategic Partner for Business Growth

August 12, 2025; 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern

Join Questco for an informative webinar designed specifically for nonprofit leaders and small organizations.

More: ncil.org/event/peo/

THE BEST!

Video: throngs of marchers with disabilities and allies marching through the streets of DC. They are marching 10 by 10, as far back as the camera can see. They are chanting, “We’re here! We’re loud! DISABLED AND PROUD!” Video is taken from the front of the march looking backward. #NCIL2025 #ADA35

March and Rally Logo. OUR LIVES. OUR HOMES. OUR COMMUNITIES. NATIONAL MARCH AND RALLY. Graphic features the number 35 with a cyan (blue) accent and a ribbon with the words, “ADA Anniversary”.

Joint Action Alert:

NCIL, AUCD, NDRN, NACDD, Amputee Coalition, NASILC, and the Reeve Foundation call on Congress to fully preserve and fund the vital federal programs that promote independence, belonging, and full participation for people with disabilities.

Read more: bit.ly/46V8KjX

Livestream - National Council on Independent Living Livestreamed content will appear here when events begin. Make sure to refresh at the designated start times! Livestreamed Events Opening Plenary Monday, July 21, 2025; 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The...

If you are not able to join us in person for #NCIL2025, we're kicking off the conference with an Opening Plenary tomorrow (July 21) at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Available via livestream at:

ncil.org/2025-confere...

Black text on a white background: Use our hashtag! An arrow points to the text #NCIL2025. Logo: 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living. Graphic features a multi-colored fingerprint.

CONFERENCE ATTENDEES: Be sure to use the hashtags #NCIL2025 and #ADA35 on your social media posts this week.

The hashtag will help attendees connect and spread our message far and wide!