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

Preparing for the New Year: An Update from the Rehabilitation Act & IL Funding Subcommittee

Vicki Haws, Co-Chair

NCIL Members hold Reauthorize the Rehab Act Now Sign 2013As we come to the end of the year, let’s take some time to reflect upon our accomplishments and prepare ourselves for the continuing battle! Reauthorizing the Rehabilitation Act has been the number one priority of NCIL for many years. This year, Senate Bill 1356 passed out of the Senate HELP Committee. Some of the positive changes contained within Senate Bill 1356 include that it creates an Independent Living Administration (separate from RSA), allows CILs to carryover Pact C dollars, and allows SILCs to conduct resource development activities. Visit ncil.org/rehabact for more information about S. 1356.

We have waited over 15 years for reauthorization. We will wait no longer! Make a commitment to contact both of your Senators during the holiday recess by email, phone, or scheduling a meeting while they are in their home districts.

Our lawmakers will be facing many issues when they return in January. If they haven’t heard from their constituents about S. 1356, they will not know it’s important. It is up to you to make sure our priority becomes their priority! We expect S. 1356 will go to the Senate floor for a vote early in 2014, so watch for updates through NCIL’s Weekly Advocacy Monitor, Action Alerts, and the Rehabilitation Act Reauthorization Facebook page.