A Note from the Executive Director:

Dear Advocates and Friends,

Thanks to you, the 2008 Annual Conference on Independent Living was a resounding success!  Nearly 700 advocates from all over the country met in Washington to demand our rights, direct NCIL’s priorities, and recognize each others achievements.  The Conference began with the keynote address of Luis Gallegos, Ecuador’s Ambassador to the United States, and Chairperson of the committee that drafted the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.  Following Gallegos’ powerful address, outstanding IL advocates were recognized by their peers and presented with NCIL’s Regional Advocacy Awards.  We offer our congratulations to this year’s winners: Region I: Bill Henning, Region II: Cliff Perez, Region III: Ken Ervin, Region IV: Angela Mackey, Region V: Steve Thovson, Region VI: Mitch Granger, Region VII: Cherie Clark, Region VII: Tom Osbourne, Region IX: Teresa Favuzzi & Christina Mills, and Region X: Patrick Reinhart. 

On Tuesday, over 500 NCIL advocates took NCIL’s Legislative and Advocacy Priorities to Capitol Hill!  A little rain couldn’t stop us as we marched over a mile from the Grand Hyatt Washington to the US Capitol.  Thanks to collaboration between NCIL and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, we enjoyed unprecedented press coverage of the Rally.  Speakers included Senators Tom Harkin, Dick Durbin, disability and IL leaders from around the country and more!  Following the Rally, advocates urged their Senators and Representatives to restore the Americans with Disabilities Act, increase funding for IL, and reauthorize the Rehab Act.  Advocates met with and delivered our Policy Priorities booklets to almost every Member of Congress!

Watch video news coverage of the Rally. Or, read the text-only transcript.

On Wednesday, over 200 NCIL advocates protested outside the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration’s offices. The boisterous group chanted until Tracy Justesen, the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, came down and agreed to meet with a delegation of NCIL representatives.  The delegation presented the memberships’ demands.  RSA agreed to respond in writing to NCIL’s demands, but we remain concerned that these restrictions will continue to impede policy related to people with disabilities.

Governing Board elections were the first business of this year’s Annual Council Meeting.  We offer our congratulations to the winners for their continued commitment to serving on NCIL’s Governing Board: Vice-President: Daniel Kessler (AL), Secretary: Ann McDaniel (WV), Diversity Committee Chair: Stanley Holbrook (PA), and three new Members at-Large: Mark Derry (WV), Shannon Jones (KS), and Andy Curry (UT).  

In the months ahead of the conference, NCIL members nominated and voted for the NCIL Regional Representatives from even-numbered regions.  We congratulate the following incumbent winners for being reelected by their peers: Region 2: Todd Vaarwerk (NY), Region 4: Julia Sain (NC), Region 6: Carla Lawson (OK), Region 8: Carol Jean Reynolds (CO), and Region 10: Jim Beck (AK).

Another important business item at the Annual Council Meeting was the consideration of this year’s sole resolution: the 2008 NCIL Resolution on Non-Discrimination, Outreach, and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) People with Disabilities.  View the resolutions, position papers, and recommendations approved by the the NCIL Board. The resolution was submitted by Don Dew of Outreach USA in Kansas.  The resolution was approved and adopted by the membership at the Annual Council Meeting. 

Thursday evening was the highlight of the Conference, a warm and wonderful event to celebrate Independent Living: NCIL’s 2008 Awards Banquet and ADA Celebration.  The focus of the dinner was the presentation of this year’s National Advocacy Awards.  In presenting the Frank Harkin Memorial Award, created in honor of his brother, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) gave a rousing speech in support of the ADA Amendments Act and the Community Choice Act.  And in accepting the award on behalf of his father, Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), gave an equally moving speech in support of the ADAAA, CCA, and the Mental Health Parity Bill.  The National Advocacy Award was presented to ADAPT and was accepted by all of the ADAPTers in the room as they made their way to the stage leading their hallmark rally cry, “Free Our People!  Now!”  The President’s Award was presented to Shannon Jones of the Kansas SILC, who thanked her colleagues for their love and support.  The Diana Vietz Award for youth leadership was accepted by Brad Williams, on behalf of Stephanie Orlando.  Brad spoke of Stephanie’s outstanding leadership among young advocates in New York.  Finally, Lee Schulz was recognized for his lifelong commitment to NCIL, IndependenceFirst, and the Independent Living movement as he accepted the Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award.

John A. Lancaster

Continue to Annual Conference Photos!