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Greetings once again,

This is Theo Braddy, the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living. My message today is called Unfinished Work.

Not long ago, a colleague approached me requesting insight regarding the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, she sought a concise statement summarizing its significance. Here’s my response:

“The ADA is a giant step in the right direction for people with all types of disabilities to be included based on the elimination of physical barriers and discrimination; however, there is still much work to do to eliminate attitudinal barriers.”

My response reflects the ADA’s unfinished work. [Read more…]

July 22, 2023

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Greetings once again,

I’m Theo Braddy, the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, reaching out to you with another important message. I am thrilled to provide this message before the start of our IL conference. I entitled it, “We Gather.”

We gather on July 24th, this Monday, where more than 500 individuals, both with and without disabilities, will assemble at the prestigious Grand Hyatt Hotel on H Street in Washington, D.C.

The reason for this gathering is NCIL’s 2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living. This year’s theme is “Indivisible,” meaning impossible to be divided or separated. [Read more…]

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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. [Read more…]

May 16, 2023

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This is another message from Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living.

Today’s topic is on DEIA. [Read more…]

April 14, 2023

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Hi, this is Theo Braddy, the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). I wanted to share a few things with you that have been on my mind and I’m calling this “Why we are stuck”. [Read more…]

February 24, 2023

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A few days ago, during the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)’s quarterly board meeting, NCIL launched its 5 for 5 Campaign (5for5campaign.com). This campaign primarily focuses on increasing funding for Centers for Independent Living, whose work invests in community living and independence for people with disabilities.

What is so unique about this campaign is that it involves for the first time three national organizations working together to increase funding for Centers for Independent Living. [Read more…]

February 2, 2023

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The theme for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) 2023 Annual Conference on Independent Living is Indivisible! What a perfect choice of a word that defines what should be the most crucial goal of our movement. [Read more…]