Dear NCIL Members,
It is time for the annual NCIL Congressional Briefing & Reception on Capitol Hill!
We are asking for your help to get your member of Congress to attend this briefing. NCIL, as the national advocate for CILs, SILCs, and the Independent Living philosophy, has the sole mission of being your voice in Washington and representing your interests. NCIL conducts this annual briefing in order to educate members of Congress on a number of relevant policy initiatives that aim to advance disability rights and the ability of Americans to live more independently. This is why we would like for your Congressperson to attend this briefing to learn about issues affecting our members, and hopefully leave better equipped to vote for Independent Living.
Simply email the customizable invitation below to your congressperson, and urge them to come. They will consider attending if they hear from constituents within their home districts, so we are really counting on our members to make this event a success.
Follow the links below to find contact information for your state’s Representatives and Senators. You will likely have to submit an email using the form on their website.
Dear [Senator or Representative’s Name],
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) would like to invite you and your staff to save the date for our Congressional Briefing & Reception on the State of Disability in America. With so much at stake in 2015, our members more than ever want to ensure that our elected officials understand issues important to our community, and demonstrate strong support for their constituents with disabilities. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 24th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Dirksen Senate Building 430.
You have been invited because there is at least one Independent Living organization representing individuals with disabilities in your home district. Last year’s NCIL Briefing was our most successful ever, and was well attended by leaders in the disability community, the Administration, and both parties in Congress. NCIL was proud to host a successful event on the Hill in 2014, and invites you to start off 2015 with the same spirit of progress.
Members of the House and Senate are invited to provide brief remarks. Last year’s speakers included disability rights champions like Congressman Schneider, Congressman Thompson, Congressman Tonko, Senator Harkin, and Senator Tester, and special guests ACL Administrator Kathy Greenlee and Acting Assistant Secretary for OSERS Michael Yudin.
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is America’s oldest cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. There are currently over 700 locations across America providing Independent Living services.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to our Policy Analyst, Lindsay Baran, at [email protected] or (202) 207-0334, ext. 1108 by Friday, February 20, 2015.
NCIL Congressional Briefing & Reception
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Dirksen Senate Building 430
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
