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

Be There to Hear Senate HELP Committee Staff Speak about the Bi-Partisan Bi-Cameral Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act at NCIL’s 2014 Legislative and Advocacy Update July 28!

NCIL’s 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living is the place to find out how the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) will impact CILs and SILCs. Expected to pass through the Senate and House soon, this bill will bring many changes to Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living across the country.

Prevail - 2014 Conference LogoPlease join us on July 28th from 10:15-11:30 a.m., when the Chairs of NCIL’s Legislative and Advocacy Committees welcome HELP Committee Staff from the offices of Chairman Tom Harkin and Ranking Member Lamar Alexander to explain the bill and answer questions about its impact on Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology Programs, and The National Institute on Rehabilitation and Independent Living Research, (formally NIDRR).

Among other things, the bill would:

  • Move the Independent Living Program to Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Administration for Community Living (ACL)
  • Add a fifth core service: Transition – Centers for Independent Living (CILs) will assist in the transition of people with disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to the community and assist people with disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions to remain in the community. CILs will assist the transition of youth with disabilities from school to adult life, including employment.
  • Clarify duties of Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), including resource development. The Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is signed-off by the SILC Chair and a majority of the state’s CIL Executive Directors.

Seize this opportunity to get your questions answered about WIOA at NCIL’s Legislative and Policy Update on July 28, 2014.

See you there!