As many of you know, NCIL’s staff is operating under a mandatory remote work policy through at least the end of March. Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and other public health experts make it seem likely this is policy will be extended into April. NCIL staff is fully equipped for telework and our work will continue unabated. There are, however, a few things we want to highlight during our time away from our physical office.

• Items mailed to NCIL’s office will not be received right away. While we have picked up our mail this week, items received in the next few days and weeks may not be received or processed right away.
• We encourage everyone to use email as much as possible during this situation, especially related to items you may normally mail or fax to us. A list of NCIL staff email addresses is available on our website.
• Call forwarding is in place and you can still call our office line to reach staff. Follow the prompts in the automated system to reach the staff person you want to talk to.
• We are closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19 and continuing our work on all of NCIL’s projects, events, and policy priorities.

We will continue to keep you updated with more information as it is available. In the meantime, we have created a web page to collect information, resources, and opportunities regarding COVID-19. View it at ncil.org/covid-19.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, NCIL’s primary concern has been the health and safety of our community. NCIL has been closely following the situation and actively advocating for policy responses that support the specific needs of the disability community.

We recognize that we have a duty to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. We want Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) to have the tools and guidance they need to stay safe and continue to meet the needs of consumers in their communities. We want members of the disability community across the country to have access to information, resources, and services to stay healthy and safe. And we want our local, state, and federal governments to center the needs of the people most at risk for serious illness, including disabled / chronically ill people, older adults, people living in institutional settings, people experiencing homelessness, and people who are not given access to critical information about the COVID-19 outbreak. To that end, NCIL has taken the following steps:

• We have instituted a mandatory remote work policy through at least the end of March;
• We have requested guidance from the Independent Living Administration (ILA) for CILs and SILCs about continued operations and staffing, which they have assured us is forthcoming;
• We are exploring a contingency plan for our Annual Conference in July, should that become necessary;
• We are working closely with partners in and out of the disability community to propose, analyze, and fight for policy responses to address the needs of people with disabilities during this outbreak; and
• We are closely following legislative, departmental, and other guidance, information, and resources that are released.

We also note that in communities across the country, there have been increasing incidents targeting the Asian American community. Asian Americans are being discriminated against and attacked, and Asian American businesses are seeing a significant decline in customers as a result of unfounded fear and discrimination. NCIL stands in solidarity with Asian and Asian American communities and condemns the racism and xenophobia they are facing. NCIL has joined over 100 other organizations in signing on to a letter to Congressional leadership asking that they call for unity and denounce the racism targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the wake of COVID-19.

We will continue to keep you updated with more information as it is available. In the meantime, we have created a web page to collect information, resources, and opportunities regarding COVID-19. View it at ncil.org/covid-19.

Each semester, the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) hosts up to 2 internship positions at our office in Washington, DC. The Policy Internship Program provides real Washington policy experience to participants at a highly respected national organization. Interns gain valuable experience in the nation’s capital and build skills necessary to be ideal candidates for positions at NCIL, CILs, and other advocacy organizations around the country.

The NCIL Policy Internship Program is open to students and individuals pursuing a career in a field relevant to NCIL interests, particularly Independent Living and disability advocacy. Candidates must have a strong interest in disability rights and basic knowledge of the legislative process. Although not a requirement, preference shall be given to individuals with disabilities. The program lasts approximately 12 weeks, and interns are required to work at least 10-15 hours each week.

For more information about the NCIL Policy Internship program, visit ncil.org/jobs/ncilinternships. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and one letter of recommendation to Lindsay Baran at lindsay@ncil.org. To be considered for the summer internship program, your application must be received by Wednesday, April 1, 2020.