Greetings once again,
I’m Theo Braddy, the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, reaching out to you with an important message.
Today, I extend to you an open invitation that holds great significance. I invite individuals and organizations alike to join us in NCIL’s March and Rally, taking place on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The March will commence at the Grand Hyatt Washington from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by the Rally at the Capitol from 11:00 am to 12:00 Noon.
While we would be thrilled to have you as an NCIL member, as the new Executive Director, what truly matters to me, as someone who has lived with a disability for over 48 years, is effecting positive change for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of their backgrounds and identities.
This open invitation is specifically for the July 26th event, where we will march and rally at the Capitol. Our objective is to address issues that impact everyone living with diverse disabilities.
During the March and Rally, we will advocate for three major causes:
- Securing funding for all Centers for Independent Living through NCIL’s 5 for 5 campaign, which aims to raise 500 million dollars to support the 5 core services.
- Prioritizing Home and Community Based Services by advocating for the passage of the HCBS Access Act and Better Care Better Jobs Act.
- Offering Disaster Relief support for individuals with disabilities in crisis by urging the passage of REAADI and supporting the ACL legislative items that provide real-time funding for the Aging and Disability Network during emergencies.
We understand that there are various other issues we face, but these three major concerns present an opportunity to make a significant impact and accomplish meaningful goals with your assistance.
Let me be clear: I acknowledge that a single march and rally will not solve everything, but it can certainly propel us in the right direction. Imagine the impact of over 1000 individuals, both with and without disabilities, from diverse races and backgrounds, coming together in Washington, DC, chanting in unison and rallying around these three crucial issues. It would undoubtedly capture someone’s attention. It has worked in the past, and it can work again.
Spread the word far and wide. I implore other national disability associations to join us. I encourage individuals with disabilities to rally behind our cause. I extend an invitation to organizations working with individuals with disabilities, as well as groups that have experienced discrimination and oppression, such as women’s groups, the NAACP, Area Agencies on Aging, Black Lives Matter, Asian Americans, the Jewish community, and any other groups that recognize our commonalities, that we are more alike than unalike, and stand in solidarity with us. Join us in both the march and rally.
Remember, you have an open invitation!
Sincerely,
Theo Braddy, Executive Director
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Image: Theo Braddy Headshot – A black man with a bald head, a salt and pepper full beard wearing eyeglasses, sitting in a wheelchair wearing an orange, blue, and white plaid dress shirt.