MEDIA ADVISORY: Disability Rights Advocates to March on Washington Tuesday, July 23

For Immediate Release

July 22, 2019

Contact: Eleanor Canter, NCIL Communications Coordinator – 231-755-5063 or [email protected]

Washington, DC — On Tuesday, July 23, approximately 1000 people with disabilities, advocates, and allies from across the nation will march to the US Capitol in support of disability rights. Participants will meet at 11th and G Streets NW at 9:30 a.m. and the 1.2 mile March to the Capitol will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. All members of the public and press are encouraged to attend.

This event will precede the 29th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.

The March route will end at the West Front Lawn of the US Capitol, where participants will gather for an empowering Rally for Disability Rights, which will feature Senators, Representatives, and Independent Living and disability rights advocates. Advocates will then make their way to the US Capitol Building to meet with their elected Members of Congress in order to promote NCIL’s Legislative and Advocacy Priorities, which are developed bi-annually by the organization’s membership.

Some of the priorities advocates will be addressing include funding for America’s Independent Living Program; protecting the ADA from Congressional attack; and protecting Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services.

The March and Rally for Disability Rights is being organized by the National Council on Independent Living as part of its 2019 Annual Conference on Independent Living, which will take place July 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands, including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.