Dear Friend,
My name is Kings Floyd, and I am the Youth Transitions Fellow at The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). NCIL’s Annual Conference on Independent Living is our nation’s largest gathering of disability rights advocates, and is a crucial opportunity for people with disabilities to connect, meet with our legislators, and propel the movement forward. Last year, we set a record with over 1,500 participants including over 100 youth from across the country. Please take a moment to watch the videos below that describe our success with youth involvement.
The theme for the 2016 NCIL conference is Solidarity: Everybody In. Due to a variety of barriers, most especially cost, youth with disabilities have been unable to fully participate in the national disability community. We are asking for contributions towards the Youth Scholarship Fund that will bring young people from across the country to the NCIL conference. Your donation will support plane tickets, hotel accommodations, personal assistance services, and registration costs for attendees. Here are some of the reactions from youth scholars last year:
With your help, we can bring youth with disabilities to the 2016 NCIL Conference and ensure that youth leadership will grow and flourish in the Disability Rights Movement. Together we can ensure that young people with disabilities are empowered, engaged, and ready to lead. You can make a donation online. Thank you so much for your support!
Kings Floyd, Youth Transitions Fellow
Image Description: A flyer with a light blue background and four pictures of diverse, involved youth with disabilities.
By continuing to support the NCIL conference through donations to the Youth Scholarship Fund, you can help young disabled advocates experience the powerful benefits created by this conference. Help support#GenerationADA and be a part of making the next generation even more progressive, productive, and supportive of a better future. Please donate today.
Quotes from previous NCIL Conferences:
“Attending a conference located at the heart of the disability activism, in terms of both location and community, is key for me to remain connected to the incredible activists around the globe.”
“…I want to understand the struggles and difficulties that others with disabilities are dealing with in parts of the country at this time. Attending this conference will benefit me personally and professionally. I am an advocate at heart and I fight for injustice…”
“…I made the choice to start volunteering with Youth Organized Disabled and Proud; which is easily the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve learned so much about the history of the disabled rights movement… the movement is starving for new voices and leaders…”
Pictures from the 2015 NCIL Conference: 1) Young adolescent male sitting on the floor smiling and engaging with peers sitting around him. 2) Two young females behind a podium speaking and gesticulating. 3) Young white female in a scooter holding a sign that says “Proud Generation ADA”. 4) Young redheaded female signing onstage with several peers behind her.
