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

A Message from NCIL President Lou Ann Kibbee

Brothers and Sisters, Advocates Nationwide:

Lou Ann KibbeeThis is one of the most historic times for Independent Living.

After decades of NCIL leadership listening to our members about their concerns pertaining to the Rehabilitation Act and working with Congressional staff on changes that needed to be accomplished through reauthorization –

After decades of NCIL members marching to the Capitol and scheduling yearly Hill Visits to advocate to their Senators and Representatives for changes to the Rehabilitation Act –

After years of work by the NCIL Rehabilitation Act & IL Funding Subcommittee to change the language in the law to reflect what is needed for CILs and SILCs to truly do the work of Independent Living and be supported by Federal oversight –

Success will soon be ours. The Bipartisan and Bicameral Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) has passed the Senate and House action is expected shortly. The Rehabilitation Act will soon be reauthorized!

Now, fellow Advocates, we have two things to do:

  1. It is time to celebrate!
  2. It is time for advocates from across the nation to come together to learn exactly what these changes will mean for IL at the Federal level, as well as our state and local levels. NCIL Members have a great deal of questions right now, which is understandable.

The best place to accomplish both is at the NCIL Conference next month. We will be hosting some amazing speakers and presenters, including:

  • Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell (invited)
  • Senate HELP Committee Leadership Staff Presenting on WIOA
  • Kathy Greenlee, Administration on Community Living
  • NCIL Rehabilitation Act & IL Funding Subcommittee Presenting on WIOA

This year, NCIL advocates will attend Hill Visits for some very important reasons:

  1. Thank our Senators and Representatives for supporting WIOA!
  2. Advocate for the newly-introduced Community Integration Act (CIA), which will make real changes in support of the Olmstead decision.
  3. Advocate for many other NCIL policy priorities, which have been set by our members.

In addition, there will be many other informative sessions and our annual evening of celebration on Wednesday, July 30! I encourage everyone to attend this Conference to obtain more information and to celebrate our collective successes together.

I hope to see you all at the NCIL Conference next month!

For more information, please see:

Lou Ann Kibbee Signature

 

 

Lou Ann Kibbee

President
National Council on Independent Living