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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Sweeping Set of Executive Actions to Improve Care

Today, NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy joined President Biden as he signed an Executive Order with over 50 directives aimed at increasing support for care workers and family caregivers. These orders included:

  • Making child care and long-term care more affordable and accessible for people with disabilities, older adults, and families;
  • Providing veterans with better access to home-based care;
  • Supporting family caregivers; and
  • Improving the job quality for long-term care workers.

For more information on the Executive Order, see the full Fact Sheet (https://bit.ly/3GSKwt5).

NCIL commends the Biden administration for its commitment to improve care for people with disabilities. We look forward to continuing to work with this Administration and advocating for access to consumer controlled personal care programs and home and community-based services for people with disabilities.

Images:

  • NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy, a Black man with a salt and pepper beard and a power wheelchair sits amongst guests at the outdoor signing ceremony.
  • Theo Braddy sits to the left of President Biden as he signs the Executive Order from a table with the Presidential seal at the front.
  • President Biden turns toward Theo Braddy during the signing of the Executive Order. A crowd of approximately 14 people stand behind the President observing.
  • Theo Braddy shakes President Biden’s hand.

Make Nominations for the NCIL Board of Directors by May 19, 2023!

Dear NCIL Members:

NCIL will hold virtual elections for our Governing Board positions this year. NCIL members have an opportunity to nominate an individual to run for each of the following positions on the NCIL Board:

  • President,
  • Treasurer, 
  • three Member-At-Large positions, and
  • Representatives of Regions I, III, V, VII, IX (1, 3, 5, 7 & 9): ncil.org/regions.

If you or someone you know would be interested in running for the NCIL Board, please fill out the nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7V36LC.

Please carefully review the position descriptions and memorandum (ncil.org/ncil-board-nomination-process), as it will help in considering potential nominees. Also, make sure to share these resources with the individual you are nominating so that they have a clear understanding of what will be expected should they be elected.

[Read more…]

Join NCIL April 26 for A Regional IL Showcase!

Independent Living Regional Showcase. Graphic features stage lighting.
Independent Living Regional Showcase. Graphic features stage lighting.

April 26, 2023; 3:00 – 4:00pm Eastern

Register online or email [email protected] for more information

A forum to meet NCIL’s Regional Representatives and learn what CIL and SILC peers are accomplishing

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is conducting a recurring virtual forum in which NCIL’s 10 Regional Representatives will showcase the successes and accomplishments of CILs and SILCs in their regions. NCIL’s Regional Representatives are members of NCIL’s Governing Board and are elected from among the NCIL members in their respective regions.  

Description

This third forum features Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) and Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington), but all regions are invited. The forums are open to all NCIL members, all CILs and SILCs, and all IL associations.

[Read more…]

A Message from Theo Braddy: Why We Are Stuck

Listen to the audio version of this message

Hi, this is Theo Braddy, the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). I wanted to share a few things with you that have been on my mind and I’m calling this “Why we are stuck”.

I have been pondering why we, the Independent Living Movement and other disability-led organizations and associations, are not working together as we should be, and so far, this is what I came up with.

[Read more…]

Memorandum: Call for Resolutions

The purpose of resolutions is for members to speak directly to what NCIL does and what NCIL stands for. A resolution, if adopted by the membership, is a formal opinion from NCIL or a commitment to taking action on a specific topic.

Resolutions must be received by May 31, 2023.

The President will appoint a task force to review all resolutions to determine their impact on each of the following areas:

  • NCIL’s Mission & Guiding Principles: Is the proposed resolution consistent / compatible? Is the proposed resolution national in scope?
  • NCIL’s Resources: Can NCIL implement the proposed resolution’s intent with current financial and staff resources?
  • NCIL’s Governance: Does the proposed resolution require any significant changes to NCIL’s Bylaws or Standard Operating Procedures?

The resolution task force will provide the NCIL Board with a one-page summary of the resolution and the potential impact in each area. The NCIL Board will make a recommendation to the membership to adopt or reject the resolution. The recommendation shall be in writing with a brief statement explaining the rationale for the Board’s recommendation. All resolutions, including a brief statement with the Board’s recommendation, will be included in the ballot sent to NCIL members.

[Read more…]

NCIL Listening Session on the End of COVID Federal State of Emergency

March 30, 2023; 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

With the Biden Administration’s announcement that the COVID state of emergency is scheduled to end on May 11, 2023, we want to hear from Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils how your state is preparing for this and how they are working with you to inform and plan with your consumers for any changes and impact to them.

We have invited representatives from the Administration for Community Living to hear your concerns and feedback. 

Registration Fee: This event is free-of-charge.

Target Audience: Staff and volunteers of Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86416078328

Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

IL-NET T&TA Center for Independent Living Presents… A National Webinar: Serving Cross-Disability Populations

March 29, 2023; 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST

Register online (https://bit.ly/3L90nXk) or email [email protected] for more information.

En español abajo

The IL-NET National Training & Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center, operated by ILRU in collaboration with NCIL, APRIL, and the University of Montana Rural Institute and RTC: Rural, supports CILs and SILCs in building capacity to run strong, effective organizations. This webinar will be a discussion highlighting varied approaches and strategies surrounding serving cross-disability populations. Specifically, presenters will review information regarding website and digital content accessibility, serving Spanish-speaking individuals with disabilities, and serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) communities.

Registration Fee: This event is free-of-charge.

Target Audience:

  • Executive directors, program managers, and staff members of Centers for Independent Living, Statewide Independent Living Councils, and individuals with disabilities

What you will Learn:

  • Describe strategies to make digital resources more accessible for cross-disability populations.
  • Identify best practices for serving and making accommodations for Spanish-speaking individuals with disabilities, specifically those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Describe the culture of and best practices to serve Deaf and HoH communities.

Presenters:

Sarah Massengale serves as Able SC’s Community Access Specialist, where she assists in the preparation of accessible documents, helps facilitate accessibility trainings, and works to ensure that websites and other digital content are accessible and inclusive. Born totally blind, Sarah has always been willing and quick to speak up when she encountered inaccessibility, though her deep interest in disability rights and creating equality in the digital sphere has only fully developed over the past few years.

Genesis Garcia Lezama (She/Her/Ella) is the Peer and Transition Services Coach at Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL). Ms. Lezama has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science concentration in Physical Therapy, a minor in Psychology and is currently in the Master’s program of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Throughout her volunteer efforts with different local organizations that advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, Genesis has found passion in learning about advocacy and laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities. Genesis believes in training individuals to become the best version of themselves to reach their full potential. She strives to promote independence, equality, and advocacy for all individuals. With 3 years of professional experience, working with people with disabilities of different ages and of a variety of disabilities, Genesis has provided training in independence and vocational skills, self-advocacy, and civil rights.

Brooke Velarde-Hernandez was born Deaf and raised in Edinburg, Texas, where she currently resides. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the Rehabilitation Program – Concertation to Deaf Studies at UTRGV. She is currently taking Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor courses in the master’s program there. She has been working at Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL) as a manager of Deaf Services & Independent Living Program in Rio Grande Valley and South Texas for many years.

Presented by the IL-NET: The IL-NET National Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center for Independent Living is operated by ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization). The IL-NET T&TA Center provides training and technical assistance to centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils. The IL-NET is supported by grant numbers 90ILTA0002 and 90ISTA0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

IL-NET T&TA Centro para la Vida Independiente presenta… Un Seminario Web Nacional: Sirviendo A Poblaciones Con Discapacidades Cruzadas

29 de marzo de 2023; 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST

Regístrese en línea (https://bit.ly/3L90nXk) o envíe un correo electrónico [email protected] para obtener más información.

Read more: IL-NET T&TA Center for Independent Living Presents… A National Webinar: Serving Cross-Disability Populations

El Centro Nacional de Capacitación y Asistencia Técnica (T&TA) de IL-NET, operado por ILRU en colaboración con NCIL, APRIL y el Instituto Rural de la Universidad de Montana y RTC: Rural, apoya a los CIL y SILC en la creación de capacidad para dirigir organizaciones fuertes y efectivas. Este seminario web será una discusión que destacará diversos enfoques y estrategias en torno al servicio a las poblaciones con discapacidades cruzadas. Específicamente, los presentadores revisarán la información sobre la accesibilidad del sitio web y el contenido digital, sirviendo a personas con discapacidades de habla hispana y sirviendo a las comunidades sordas y con dificultades auditivas (HoH).

Cuota de Inscripción: Este evento es gratuito.

Objetivo de Captura de Audencia:

  1. Directores ejecutivos, gerentes de programas y miembros del personal de los Centros para la Vida Independiente, los Consejos Estatales de Vida Independiente y las personas con discapacidades

Lo que aprenderás:

  1. Describir estrategias para hacer que los recursos digitales sean más accesibles para las poblaciones con discapacidades cruzadas.
  2. Identificar las mejores prácticas para servir y hacer adaptaciones para las personas de habla hispana con discapacidades, específicamente aquellas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo.
  3. Describir la cultura y las mejores prácticas para servir a las comunidades sordas y con dificultades auditivas.

Presentadores:

Sarah Massengale se desempeña como Especialista en Acceso a la Comunidad de Able SC, donde ayuda en la preparación de documentos accesibles, ayuda a facilitar capacitaciones de accesibilidad y trabaja para garantizar que los sitios web y otros contenidos digitales sean accesibles e inclusivos. Nacida totalmente ciega, Sarah siempre ha estado dispuesta y rápida para hablar cuando se encontró con la inaccesibilidad, aunque su profundo interés en los derechos de las personas con discapacidad y la creación de igualdad en la esfera digital solo se ha desarrollado completamente en los últimos años..

Genesis Garcia Lezama (She/Her/Ella) es la entrenadora de servicios de transición y pares en Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL). La Sra. Lezama tiene una licenciatura en Ciencias del Ejercicio con concentración en Terapia Física, una especialización en Psicología y actualmente se encuentra en el programa de Maestría en Consejería de Rehabilitación Clínica en la Universidad de Texas Rio Grande Valley. A lo largo de sus esfuerzos voluntarios con diferentes organizaciones locales que abogan por los derechos de las personas con discapacidades, Genesis ha encontrado pasión en aprender sobre la defensa y las leyes que protegen los derechos de las personas con discapacidades. Genesis cree en entrenar a las personas para que se conviertan en la mejor versión de sí mismas para alcanzar su máximo potencial. Ella se esfuerza por promover la independencia, la igualdad y la defensa de todas las personas. Con 3 años de experiencia profesional, trabajando con personas con discapacidades de diferentes edades y de una variedad de discapacidades, Genesis ha brindado capacitación en independencia y habilidades vocacionales, autodefensa y derechos civiles..

Brooke Velarde-Hernández nació sorda y se crió en Edinburg, Texas, donde reside actualmente. Se graduó con una licenciatura en el Programa de Rehabilitación – Concertación a Estudios de Sordos en UTRGV. Actualmente está tomando cursos de Consejera de Rehabilitación Clínica en el programa de maestría allí. Ella ha estado trabajando en Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL) como gerente del Programa de Servicios para Sordos y Vida Independiente en el Valle del Río Grande y el sur de Texas durante muchos años.

Presentado por IL-NET: El Centro Nacional de Capacitación y Asistencia Técnica (T&TA) para la Vida Independiente de IL-NET es operado por ILRU (Utilización de Investigación de Vida Independiente). El Centro IL-NET T&TA proporciona capacitación y asistencia técnica a los centros para la vida independiente y los consejos estatales de vida independiente. El IL-NET está respaldado por los números de subvención 90ILTA0002 y 90ISTA0002 de la Administración de los Estados Unidos para la Vida Comunitaria, Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos, Washington, DC 20201. Se alienta a los concesionarios que emprendan proyectos bajo el patrocinio del gobierno a expresar libremente sus hallazgos y conclusiones. Por lo tanto, los puntos de vista u opiniones no representan necesariamente la política oficial de la Administración para la Vida Comunitaria.

IL NET Logo
IL-NET Logo

Special Committee on Aging: Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Other Protective Arrangements

In the near future, the Senate Special Committee on Aging will be holding a hearing on guardianships, conservatorships, protective arrangements, and alternatives. The Committee is seeking input from the public in three areas:

  • Stories and examples of problems with guardianships,
  • Stories and examples of alternatives to guardianships,
  • Suggestions for protecting the rights of people being considered for or currently covered by guardianships, conservatorships, or other protective arrangements.

The purpose of collecting this information is to document the scope of problems related to protective arrangements and to identify potential solutions. The Committee cannot address individual problems or concerns with protective arrangements.

[Read more…]

NCIL Mourns the Passing of Judy Heumann

The National Council on Independent Living is heartbroken to learn of the passing of NCIL co-founder Judy Heumann. We have lost a pioneer in the disability community and the Independent Living Movement, and the world will not be the same without our beloved friend and colleague.

Judy was a founding member of the Berkeley Center for Independent Living, the first CIL in the United States. Along with Ed Roberts and so many others, she helped launch the Independent Living Movement.

[Read more…]

A Brief Message from Theo Braddy, Executive Director of NCIL

A few days ago, during the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)’s quarterly board meeting, NCIL launched its 5 for 5 Campaign (5for5campaign.com). This campaign primarily focuses on increasing funding for Centers for Independent Living, whose work invests in community living and independence for people with disabilities.

What is so unique about this campaign is that it involves for the first time three national organizations working together to increase funding for Centers for Independent Living.

The three national organizations include:

This is the first time in my career that I saw everyone focus on a unified message that turned into 2 days of legislative visits.

This collaboration is another step towards a unified collective voice of persons with diverse disabilities to effect change in policy and improve the lives of persons living with disabilities in the U.S.

Thank you everyone for moving in the same direction. Look for more to come.

Theo

Image: sixteen advocates pose for a group photo. Several are wearing shirts with the 5 for 5 Logo.
Image: sixteen advocates pose for a group photo. Several are wearing shirts with the 5 for 5 Logo.
5 for 5 Logo: Fund Centers for Independent Living - 500 Million; 5 Core Services
5 for 5 Logo: Fund Centers for Independent Living – 500 Million; 5 Core Services