ANNUAL REPORT: 2024 + 2025
About NCIL
The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities.
NCIL represents people with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.
NCIL’s mission is to advance the disability-led Independent Living Movement to expand the capacity of Independent Living Programs to enhance the human and civil rights of all people with disabilities.
A Message from the Executive Director
Last year, NCIL adopted Higher Expectations as our internal theme and we meant it. Higher expectations of ourselves as staff; of policymakers whose decisions shape our lives; and of our members and allies to remain engaged, vocal, and unafraid to lead.
We made meaningful progress. Internally, our staff rose to the challenge. We asked more, not simply in effort, but in clarity, accountability, and purpose. We strengthened systems, clarified roles, and aligned our work more intentionally with our mission. That kind of growth is not always easy, but it is necessary.
Higher expectations required us to look honestly at how we work, and our team met that moment with resolve.
Across our network, we challenged members and allies to move beyond passive support and into active participation. We asked people to show up for advocacy, for coalition work, and for the future of Independent Living itself. Many did. Their engagement reinforced what we already know: our strength has always been rooted in collective action.
But the work remains urgent and unfinished with policymakers.
Too often, people with disabilities are spoken about rather than listened to. Too often, community-based solutions are treated as optional instead of essential. Higher expectations mean refusing to accept piecemeal when rights, funding, and lives are at stake. It means confronting rhetoric that diminishes Independent Living and policies that quietly erode it.
Higher expectations were never about declaring success. They were about rejecting complacency.
As you turn the pages of this annual report, I ask you to look not only at what we have accomplished, but at what lies ahead. The road forward demands courage, persistence, and stronger connections. NCIL is committed to pressing on, but we cannot do it alone.
Join us. Commit to the fight. And move forward with us as we battle together for the future of Independent Living.
Theo W. Braddy
Advocacy Highlights
2025 March & Rally
In 2025, key programs supporting disabled people’s ability to live independently faced major threats in the President’s proposed 2026 budget, including eliminations of several Administration on Disabilities (AOD) programs.
Recognizing their importance, NCIL and our partners mobilized to ensure disabled voices were heard and to protect the services that uphold community living.
NCIL’s 2025 March and Rally became a unified effort with more than 20 partner organizations and over 1,500 participants — tripling the usual size.
Individuals who rely on AOD programs shared powerful testimony about independence and community-based living, and Members of Congress underscored the need for civic engagement.
The next day, advocates completed over 300 Hill Visits. As a result of this collective effort, AOD‑funded programs were restored and Independent Living funding was maintained. NCIL thanks the thousands of advocates who advocated in DC and remotely.
Shifting Focus
In 2025, NCIL shifted focus to maintaining Independent Living Program funding in the face of drastic changes within the federal government. We also:
Mobilized the Independent Living community to fight draconian cuts to Medicaid and the rollback of health insurance subsidies.
Successfully coordinated a nationwide response to restore Independent Living funding after a federal funding freeze.
Advocated for the timely release of Part B and C Notices of Award.
In 2024, NCIL launched the Advocacy and Action Center, which has delivered 16,350 messages from advocates to elected officials so far! We also:
Founded End Subminimum Wage Coalition with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD).
Hosted a fly-in event in DC to advocate for Independent Living Appropriations.
Presented on national policy priorities at the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) and the National Association of SILCs (NASILC) national conferences, reaching advocates across the nation.
NCIL staff participated in 7 state and regional advocacy events with member organizations in Missouri, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
NCIL Accomplishments
Transforming NCIL’s Online Presence
In 2024, NCIL released a new website that offers significant advancements in technology, access, and engagement.
The Map of CILs and SILCs helps people across the nation find Centers for Independent Living in their communities.
The Advocacy and Action Center allows advocates to send a message to their elected representatives in a matter of seconds.
The Empowerment Training Academy gives NCIL members access to exclusive online training opportunities.
The Resource Hub includes disability-related and Independent Living-specific content from across the web and allows users to filter resources by topic!
The Member Center allows individuals and organizations to check their membership status, join, and renew their membership, all in a few easy steps.
Barrier Removal
NCIL wants to make sure people with disabilities can easily get quality healthcare and medical services. To do that, we’re working to increase the number of healthcare facilities within the Centene network that meet basic accessibility standards set by federal law.
Since 2018, in partnership with Centene, NCIL has:
Distributed over $2.9 million in grants to 298 healthcare providers across 16 states.
Received 907 Barrier Removal Fund applications across 16 states.
Enabled 524 on-site Accessibility Site Reviews (ASRs) across 15 states by 89 different Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
Partnerships
In 2024 and 2025, NCIL partnered with many organizations to highlight programs, provided feedback on technology, and served on advisory boards, including National Disability Institute, Centene Corporation, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Housing and Services Resource Center, The Direct Care Workforce Strategy Center, Advancing States, United Spinal, CareSource, Questco, ADP, AAHD, University of Kansas, USAging, Reeve Foundation, Insi / ArcStone and more!
NCIL staff traveled 70,000 miles in 2024 and 2025 for advocacy, education, and partnerships.
Annual Conference on Independent Living
2025: LEVEL UP: Building Tomorrow Together
NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living emphasized advocacy, innovation, and accessibility. Highlights included an ADA 35th Anniversary Celebration of Community, an amazing lineup of headline speakers, advocacy updates, and dozens of workshops.
NCIL expanded access by livestreaming major events such as plenaries, the Awards Luncheon, and the Closing Legislative Debrief. This year’s theme underscored NCIL’s commitment to strengthening the disability rights movement and building a more inclusive future.
2024: Back to the Future
NCIL’s 2024 Annual Conference brought together over 600 advocates, CIL and SILC leaders, and policymakers. The event featured sessions on disability policy, healthcare, housing, transportation, and intersectional justice, alongside IL‑101 for newcomers and forward-looking discussions on the future of America’s Independent Living Program. Highlights included a March and Rally on Capitol Hill and plenaries with disability justice leaders and ADA pioneers.
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Award Recipients
President’s Award: Kate Gainer (2024); Jim Warne (2025)
Frank Harkin Memorial Award: Starkloff Disability Institute (2024); Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and Anna Perng (2025)
Diana Viets Award: Mary Lamica and Jana Stowers (2024); Claire Adams (2025)
Corey Rowley National Advocacy Award: Larissa Martin (2024); Idaho Statewide Independent Living Council and Edward Sandy Lee Mitchell (2025)
Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award: Cliff Perez and Claudia Gordon (2024); Jim Langevin (2025)
Judy Heumann Advocacy Award: Pamela Auers (2024); Janice Jackson (2025)
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Award: Larissa Martin (2024)
John Lewis “Good Trouble” Award: Keri Gray (2025)
Champion for Justice Award: Centene (2024 and 2025)
Conference Sponsors
NCIL thanks our 2024 and 2025 conference sponsors: Centene, Airbnb, Waymo, CIL Suite, Microsoft, CareSource, Nevada Statewide Independent Living Council, Dignity Memorial, Verizon, Esquire Bank, UnitedHealthcare, ADA National Network, PhRMA, and Cruise!
Governing Board
- Jason Beloungy, President
- Amber Smock, Vice President
- Whitney Doyle, Treasurer
- John Herring, Secretary
- Theo Braddy, Executive Director
- Vicki Landers, Empowerment in Access Committee Chair
- Kimberly Meck, Regional Representative Committee Chair
Regional Representatives: Steve Higgins, Aaron Baier, Lillian Harrison, Edward Mitchell, Jennifer Kucera, Justina Plowden, Michael Parker, Tami Hoar, Lisa Hayes, and Kimberly Meck.
Members At Large: Karen Gridley, Amy Tweedle, Thomas Earle, Ted Jackson, Ester DuRante, Jenny Stonemeier, and Andrew Brown (Youth Member At Large).
NCIL also thanks outgoing Board Members: Kent Crenshaw (President); Jeff Hughes (Vice President); Jeremy Morris (Treasurer); and Members At Large Latricia Seye, Suzanna Gamez, and Brittany Boyd-Chisholm.
NCIL Staff
- Theo Braddy, Executive Director
- Sylena Campbell, Executive Assistant
- Eleanor Canter, Director of Communications
- Jessica Podesva, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy
- Jenny Sichel, Director of Operations
- Rie Terashima, Part Time Bookkeeper
- Mary-Kate Wells, Director of Programs
NCIL also thanks outgoing 2024 and 2025 staff members Denise Law and Angelia White.
In Memoriam
The disability community mourned the loss and celebrated the lives of Diane Coleman in 2024 and Jorge Pineda, Shelly Simmons, Bob Kafka, Denise Thomas, Tim Sheehan, Patty Berne, John Kelly, and Alice Wong, in 2025.
NCIL Training and Events
- Advocacy vs. Lobbying
- Budget 101! Overview of Federal Appropriations Process
- Leaders of Tomorrow Forum
- Unlocking New Opportunities for Collaboration: Introducing Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CILs (3 Part Series)
- Opening Doors: Advancing Consumer Control Through HCBS Systems Advocacy
- National Conversation on DEAI: Exploring Equity in a Shifting Landscape
- LGBTQIA+ Alphabet
NCIL hosted 38 peer-to-peer virtual events with 300 participants, including the Employment Resource and Home Usability Peer Networks and Systems Change Coffee Chats.
Events Presented in Partnership
- A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Employment Policy (Autistic Self Advocacy Network)
- ABLE Accounts and Employment 101! (National Disability Institute)
- Accelerating Housing and Services Partnerships to Advance Housing Stability (Housing and Services Resource Center)
- Understanding the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Model: A Strategic Partner for Organization Growth (Questco)
- Digital Accessibility for CILs, SILCs, and other Non-profits (Insi / ArcStone)
- The Right Information at the Right Time: Findings on Information & Referral / Assistance Collaboration (National Information and Referral Support Center)
Federally Funded Training and Technical Assistance
NCIL continues to support training and technical assistance to the Independent Living Network. In 2024 and 2025, topics included:
- Financial Risk Mitigation in Independent Living
- Disaster Preparedness
- Disability-Led and Consumer-Driven Systems Advocacy
- The Role of Individual Advocacy for CILs & SILCs
- How to Create the Best Board and Staff Relationships in Your CIL
- Workplan Development for CILs
NCIL supported the delivery of 23 live multiple-format training events in 2025, spanning webinars, cohort series, and facilitated discussions across the Independent Living network.
Hundreds of hours of planning and coordination were dedicated to supporting peer-led training delivery and infrastructure development throughout 2025.
NCIL strengthened cross-system collaboration in 2025 by engaging over 30 presenters from CILs, SILCs, Designated State Entities, and national partners to present in national trainings.
Statement of Financial Position*
2025 Revenues: $1,886,961.92
Grants & Projects: $938,362.77 (49.73%)
Membership Dues: $258,247.74 (13.69%)
Donations: $34,779.07 (1.84%)
Annual Conference: $386,320.00 (20.47%)
Other Income: $269,252.34 (14.27%)
2025 Expenses: $1,791,374.91
Programming: $614,468.41 (34.30%)
Advocacy: $155,327.89 (8.67%)
Annual Conference: $352,015.16 (19.65%)
Administration: $669,563.45 (37.38%)
2024 Revenues: $1,579,663
Grants & Projects: $974,866 (61.7%)
Membership Dues: $195,983 (12.4%)
Donations: $5,476 (0.35%)
Annual Conference: $379,200 (24%)
Other Income: $24,138 (1.53%)
2024 Expenses $1,648,968
Programming: $668,264 (40.5%)
Advocacy: $190,580 (11.6%)
Annual Conference: $359,529 (21.8%)
Administration: $430,596 (26.1%)
