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

IL-NET National T&TA Center for Independent Living Presents… A National Webinar: Non-Traditional Transitions

January 25, 2023; 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Register online or email jenny@ncil.org for more information.

The IL-NET National Training & Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center operated by ILRU in collaboration with NCIL, APRIL, and the University of Montana Rural Institute and RTC: Rural, supports CILs and SILCs in building capacity to run strong, effective organizations. This webinar will discuss varied approaches and strategies surrounding non-traditional transitions and diversions, such as transitioning from the justice system or coordinating appropriate housing during and after a disaster or public emergency.

Presenters

  • Sharif Brown, Program Manager for State Reentry, Alliance of Disability Advocates
  • Betzaida Ramos Chárriez, Directora Ejecutiva, Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI)
  • Marly Saade, PCA Program Coordinator, The Center for Disability Empowerment
  • Susan Hetrick, M.Ed., Executive Director, The Center for Disability Empowerment
  • Jeff Hughes, Executive Director, Progressive Independence
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NCIL Joins National Initiative to Support Local Vaccination Outreach Activities

As the nation enters the coldest months of the winter season with high rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 and one of the worst flu seasons on record, the need for older adults and people with disabilities to get vaccinated is at a critical point. To combat rising hospitalization rates among older adults and people with disabilities for both COVID-19 and the flu, two groups that are known to experience the most severe illness from these two conditions, the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is proud to announce that it is a partner in the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, a $75 million initiative funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living to provide outreach, technical assistance and support to promote vaccination uptake.

Led by USAging, the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative will distribute funds to enable organizations across the aging and disability networks to perform an array of vaccination promotion activities. Organizations selected for funding will host community vaccine clinics, provide in-home vaccinations, provide transportation to vaccination sites, and will conduct outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities among other activities.

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NCIL 2023 Annual Conference: Call for Proposals

2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living Logo: Indivisible. Graphic features intersecting threads.

July 24-27 (Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC)

NCIL is excited to announce our 2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living! The theme of this year’s conference is Indivisible. Our movement is Indivisible. We must advocate together for disability justice, unite with our allies, and fight against ableism and prejudice of all types.

NCIL’s Annual Conference is designed to provide peer support, organizing, advocacy, and learning opportunities. It is the largest Independent Living event of the year. NCIL regularly hosts over 1,000 people, including grassroots advocates, CIL and SILC leadership, members of Congress, government officials, and representatives from other organizations that work for justice and equity for people with disabilities.

This year’s conference will take place onsite in Washington, DC and will be archived and available online for those who cannot join us onsite. NCIL will host 25 workshops. Of those, twenty are reserved for in-person presentations. Five are reserved for presenters who will join us virtually. Those workshops will be streamed live at the Hyatt during the in-person conference.

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ACL Webinar – Strengthening Advocacy in the HCBS Settings Rule: Getting the Services You Need from the Waiver

ACL invites you to a webinar in their series on strengthening advocacy in the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule, Getting the Services You Need from the Waiver, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

The HCBS Settings Rule can improve community-based services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults for decades to come. This webinar will provide insight into one of the main strategies stakeholders can use to get the promise of the Rule into everyday life: influencing the services that are included in the waiver application.

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NCIL Mourns the Loss of Bobby Silverstein

NCIL is saddened to learn of the passing of Robert “Bobby” Silverstein, J.D. on November 17, 2022 due to complications from cancer. Bobby leaves behind an enormous legacy because of his behind-the-scenes work to develop and pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws that advance the rights of people with disabilities through his various roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

Bobby’s “A Congressional Insider’s Guide to Influencing Disability Policy”, which includes “General Guidelines for Disability Policy Change Agents,” “Developing Organized Coalitions and Strategic Plans,” and “Effective Strategies for Inter-Acting with Policymakers,” are classics that have educated disability advocates on how to bring about systems change for over two decades.

Bobby was staff director and chief counsel for the Senate Disability Policy Subcommittee under former Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).

“Bobby was as kind as he was brilliant,” said NCIL’s Interim Executive Director Darrell Jones. “He gave more to people with disabilities than we can ever totally thank him for.”

[Read more…]

IL-NET T&TA Center for Independent Living in Partnership with the Administration for Community Living Presents a National Webinar – Being Invited In: Understanding and Respecting Native Disability Culture

November 29, 2022; 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Eastern

Register online or reach out to jenny@ncil.org for more information.

In honor of Native American Heritage month, this webinar will help participants gain an increased understanding of Native Americans with disabilities living in Indian Country and learn best practices for outreach and service delivery. Panelists from a multi-year ACL-funded Native American Independent Living Demonstration grant will share their experiences providing independent living services in Indian Country. They will discuss the following:

  • Key issues tribal communities are facing around disability;  
  • Barriers and best practices to collaboration;
  • Impacts to community-led efforts; and
  • How participants can partner to strengthen work with tribal communities.
[Read more…]

White House to Host Summit on COVID-19 Equity and What Works Showcase

The White House is hosting a Summit on COVID-19 Equity and What Works Showcase next week to highlight interventions and approaches that have moved the needle on equitable COVID-19 outcomes, and to showcase a path forward.

Please forward this invite widely for virtual participation via livestream!

You are invited to join the White House Summit on Covid-19 Equity and What Works Showcase virtually on Wednesday, November 16th, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Three Centers for Independent Living have been invited to be showcased!

RSVP for a link to the livestream of the Summit (12:00 – 3:00 p.m.) and to sign up for the virtual What Works Showcase (3:15 – 5:00 p.m.).

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NCIL Mourns the Loss of Lois Curtis

NCIL is saddened to learn of the passing of Lois Curtis. Lois passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

Lois Curtis was the lead Plaintiff in the Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C. She is an icon in the Independent Living and disability communities. Her fight to live in the community and outside an institution established one of the most important legal precedents for disabled people: the right to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Since the 1999 decision, that precedent has led to a cascade of freedoms enjoyed by millions of disabled people in a variety of settings.

NCIL thanks Lois Curtis for her bravery and honors her massive contributions to our communities. She will be deeply missed and remembered always.

“It is so sad to learn of the passing of Lois Curtis. Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson were the driving force behind the landmark Olmstead decision. They challenged the State of Georgia to provide their support services in the community and fought steadfast all the way through the U.S. Supreme Court. This week, please take a moment or two to reflect on their impact on our communities,” said NCIL Vice President Jeff Hughes.

Tributes and Memorials to Lois:

Funeral Arrangements:

A viewing will be held 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on November 11 at Donald Trimble Funeral Home. A funeral will be at Donald Trimble Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12.

She will be laid to rest at the civil rights cemetery (South view Cemetery Association 1990 Jonesboro Rd. SE. / Atlanta, GA 30315). There will be a repass afterwards back at funeral home.

Please send any flower arrangements to:

Donald Trimble Funeral Home
1876 2nd Ave.
Decatur, Georgia 30032
Phone: (404) 371 -0772

So far over 500 people have donated over $22,000 to her final expenses. Make a donation at www.gofundme.com/f/final-expenses-for-the-lovely-lois.

Photo of Lois Curtis, a Black woman with dark skin and short Afro smiling joyfully as she sits in a room among friends. Photo courtesy of NPR.
Photo of Lois Curtis, a Black woman with dark skin and short Afro smiling joyfully as she sits in a room among friends. Photo courtesy of NPR.

Know Your Resources – Orientation to the IL-NET National Training & Technical Assistance Center for CILs and SILCs

November 10, 2022; 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Register online

The IL-NET National Training & Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center, operated by ILRU in collaboration with NCIL, APRIL, and the University of Montana Rural Institute and RTC: Rural, supports Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) in building capacity to run strong, effective organizations. The IL-NET’s resources cover an expansive list of topics related to CILs and SILCs, with an emphasis on core services. This webinar will highlight what’s new with the IL-NET and help you learn how to find the resources and training available through ILRU’s comprehensive website that best meet your needs. Our IL-NET team is here to assist you with finding the publications, recorded trainings, courses, and materials that will help you operate your CIL or SILC with excellence. 

Please join us for this complimentary webinar to learn what the IL-NET National T&TA Center has to offer you. Staff from ILRU will be joined by IL-NET collaborating organizations: NCIL, APRIL, and the University of Montana Rural Institute and RTC: Rural. The entire team will walk you through the trainings and resources the IL-NET offers and show you how you can best access them. You will learn about on-demand trainings and materials that are available immediately, as well as training topics for 2023 that you can add to your calendar. Don’t miss this free event! 

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NCIL Regional IL Showcase

The National Council on Independent Living presents a forum to meet NCIL’s Regional Representatives and learn what CIL and SILC peers are accomplishing.

November 9, 2022; 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Register online

NCIL is launching a recurring virtual forum in which NCIL’s 10 Regional Representatives will showcase the successes and accomplishments of CILs and SILCs in their regions. NCIL’s Regional Reps are members of NCIL’s Governing Board and are elected from among the NCIL members in their respective regions.  

This first forum features Regions I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) and IV (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee), but all regions are invited.

The forums are open to all NCIL members, all CILs and SILCs, and all IL associations.

[Read more…]