Pre-Conference Events
Candidate’s Forum
July 1, 2025; 2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern / Zoom
Join this webinar to learn more about the candidates up for election to the NCIL Board of Directors! This is your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and ask them questions to help you decide on your final ballot. If you are a NCIL member and have not received your ballot by June 13, please reach out to Jenny@ncil.org.
Know Before You Go
July 10, 2025; 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern / Zoom (Please note time change!)
Heading to the NCIL Conference this year? First time? Want more info on what to expect? Join this meeting to get more info and learn about the Conference agenda, events, and workshops!
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Registration Open
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Board Meeting
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. / Lafayette + Farragut
Board meetings are open to the public but not part of the formal conference agenda.
Monday, July 21, 2025
Registration + Exhibits Open
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / Washington Boardroom
Dialogue Zone
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. / McPherson + Franklin
Opening Plenary
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. / Independence A
The 2025 Opening Plenary will be given by Keri Gray, a dynamic entrepreneur, facilitator, cancer survivor, and a passionate advocate for racial and disability justice. Don’t miss this exciting conference opener!
Advocacy Updates
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. / Independence A
Hear directly from members of NCIL’s Advocacy and Public Policy Committee about the latest progress in NCIL’s advocacy work. This panel will provide a focused discussion on key priorities for upcoming Hill visits and explore effective strategies for grassroots advocacy in today’s fast-changing policy environment.
Day on the Hill Prep + Regional Caucuses
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / Independence A
This is an opportunity for attendees to meet with their Regional Representatives and strategize for their Capitol Hill Visits. Each state decides who will attend which meeting to ensure that every legislator is visited. A list of Regions by state is available at ncil.org/regions.
Lunch (on your own)
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
The March & Rally can be physically and emotionally taxing. We encourage you to take advantage of this lunch break to eat something.
March Assembly
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. / 11th + G Streets NW
Participants should assemble between 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.
March to the Capitol
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. / Washington DC
NCIL conference attendees, members, and allies march from the Grand Hyatt to Capitol Hill. Complimentary Do-It-Yourself Sign Kits will be available on the conference floor the morning of Monday, July 21. People who are not conference attendees are encouraged to bring their own signs. Marchers should assemble between 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.
Rally at the Capitol
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. / U.S. Capitol
Marchers will converge at the U.S. Capitol for an empowering rally featuring a number of speakers, including leaders in the Independent Living Movement and elected officials working on the issues we care about most.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Registration + Exhibits Open
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space
UPDATE: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. + 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. / Washington Boardroom
Dialogue Zone
None
AI for Access: Expanding Possibilities Through Innovation
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. / Independence Ballroom
Join us for a dynamic and timely panel led by Dr. Victor Pineda, a global leader in disability rights and inclusive innovation. This engaging conversation will explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for the disability community. Featuring thought leaders from the U.S. Access Board, adaptive technology users, and corporate innovators, the panel will examine how AI is transforming assistive technology, enhancing workplace accessibility, and reshaping the future of independent living. Together, we’ll unpack the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into our daily lives and advocacy efforts—empowering communities to shape the future of inclusion.
Exhibit Fair + Coffee Break
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. / Independence Foyer
Spend some time browsing the products and services offered by our exhibitors, many of which are your fellow NCIL members. The NCIL Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our exhibitors and sponsors. Exhibits will be open all day Monday and Tuesday.
Coffee Break sponsored by Airbnb!
Awards Luncheon
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
Join us to celebrate and honor this year’s national award winners! Awards will be presented over lunch after a keynote address by Keely Cat-Wells. Admission to this event is included in full conference registration.
Annual Council Meeting
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
Attend the Annual Council Meeting to hear the results of the elections for Governing Board members. This year, elections were held prior to the conference for: President; Treasurer; 3 Member At-Large positions; and Representatives of Regions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
Concurrent Workshops 1
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. / Various locations
Concurrent Workshops 2
4:00 – 5:15 p.m. / Various locations
Social Hour
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
Join NCIL Staff, Board Members, and fellow attendees for this hour of networking, food, and drinks. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, accompanied by a cash bar.
Celebration of Community: ADA35
9:00 – 11:00 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
This year, NCIL will host a ticketed event as we celebrate the power of community on the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A ticket to this event is included with full conference registration. Conference attendees do not need to purchase a ticket separately from their registration.
People who are not attending the conference may purchase a ticket for $35 by selecting “ADA Celebration Ticket” using the conference registration portal.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Registration + Exhibits Open
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / McPherson
Dialogue Zone
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Franklin
Concurrent Workshops 3
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. / Various locations
Concurrent Workshops 4
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. / Various locations
Lunch (on your own)
12:00 p.m.
Grab a bite to eat before heading to meet with your elected officials.
Hill Visits
12:30 p.m. / U.S. Capitol
NCIL members are strongly encouraged to go and meet with their elected officials (or set up virtual meetings where necessary) to discuss pressing legislation impacting people with disabilities and Independent Living nationwide.
These meetings must be arranged in advance. Senators and Representatives set their own policies about whether they are meeting with constituents in-person or virtually. The public spaces within the Grand Hyatt can be utilized for in-person meetings with elected officials and their staff for those needing a meeting space outside of the Capitol.
Congressional contact information is available at house.gov and senate.gov, or you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-224-3091 (TTY) and ask for your Senators’ and / or Representative’s office. Participants must arrange their own accommodations, including interpreters, for Hill Visits ahead of time. Direct requests for interpreters and other accommodations to Congressional staff. Contact angela@ncil.org with any questions.
Professional Headshots
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. / Independence Level
For two hours, you will have the opportunity to have your headshot taken with NCIL’s professional photographer, Andrew Robertson.
Sessions are expected to take approximately 5 minutes per person. Registration is not required, but please do your best to arrive at or before 5:00 to accommodate any wait time. The event will end promptly at 5:30.
Donations are appreciated and will be split 50/50 between NCIL and the photographer. Photos will be available for download shortly after the conference concludes. Please note that by participating in this event, you agree to allow NCIL to use the photos taken on NCIL’s website and other marketing materials.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Registration Open
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / McPherson
Dialogue Zone
8:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Franklin
Concurrent Workshops 5
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. / Various locations
Concurrent Workshops 6
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. / Various locations
Lunch (on your own)
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Welcome to the IL Party!
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. / Independence A
Join us for an interactive experience designed to strengthen our Centers for Independent Living through equal access and full participation — not by identity, but by right and capability. Using our four “party zones” — Invite, Venue, Dance Floor, and DJ Booth — this session empowers you to see who is invited, spot barriers, recognize what enables full participation, and ensure everyone helps shape how we party together. By reflecting, sharing experiences, and making personal pledges, we’ll collaborate to make our CIL truly welcoming — for all.
Closing Plenary + Legislative Debriefing
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. / Independence A
Wrap up a fantastic week of learning, advocating, and networking at NCIL’s Closing Plenary and Legislative Debriefing! This year, our Closing Plenary keynote speaker will be Ly Xīnzhèn M. Zhǎngsūn Brown, an internationally recognized advocate, community organizer, community builder, and scholar-activist.
Board Meeting
3:00 – 5:30 p.m. / Lafayette + Farragut
Board meetings are open to the public but not part of the formal conference agenda.
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