National Council on Independent Living

Home Usability Peer Network March Meeting
2025-03-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit)
The Home Usability Peer Network is a community of peer support and resource sharing to build the capacity of Centers for Independent Living to address housing and home usability issues. The Network will connect CILs from across the country to share resources, lessons learned, and provide peer support to help in our shared mission of community living.

Upcoming meetings:

March 12, 2025; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern

April 9, 2025; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern

May 14, 2025; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern

Register online

ASL and CART will be provided. To request additional accommodations or to ask questions, please contact Mary-Kate: Mary-Kate@ncil.org.

Home Usability Peer Network April Meeting
2025-04-09 14:00 - 15:00

Join ADAPT for the Keys to the Community Rally!
2025-05-11 13:00 - 15:30
NCIL encourages people with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other disability rights organizations nationwide to participate in this important demonstration of support for community living.

Mothers’ Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025; 1:00 – 3:30 PM

Upper Senate Park, Washington, D.C.

This powerful, family-friendly rally kicks off ADAPT’s new Keys to Community Living campaign for disability justice and community integration. Joining ADAPT will be the National Council on Independent Living, Caring Across Generations, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Legal Defense Fund, American Association of People with Disabilities, ADA Watch and more.

Most importantly, grassroots activists from around the country will share their stories about struggle and perseverance in local efforts to obtain the Keys to Community Living.

Though the message is critical and threats are dire, there will be songs and skits and interactive fun for all. Come on out and celebrate Mothers and caregiving everywhere by supporting the Keys to Community Living!

Your voice matters — bring your signs, bring your passion, and bring the whole family. Let’s unlock the doors to true inclusion — together! Because access to community is a right, not a privilege!

BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT:

Register for the Rally

Rally Facebook Event Page

Rally Flyer PDF

Donate

For more information, contact Mike Oxford at (785) 224-3865 or mikeoxford@rocketmail.com.

Leaders of Tomorrow Forum
2025-05-13 15:30 - 16:30
Youth and emerging leaders: please join NCIL for a Leaders for Tomorrow Forum.

We want to hear from you!

The fight for disability justice continues, and NCIL is committed to ensuring that youth are at the forefront of this movement. Whether it’s advocacy, organizing, or shaping policies that impact our community, we want you to stay engaged and help us push for real change.

We are hosting a virtual gathering to connect, share ideas, and discuss how youth leadership can continue making an impact.

Note: We are defining youth and emerging leaders broadly but generally folks with disabilities under 40 years old.

ASL and CART will be provided.

For more information on this initiative, please contact Andrew Brown, NCIL’s Youth Member At Large at ab618458@gmail.com. For more information about this event, please contact Mary-Kate Wells, NCIL’s Program Director, at Mary-Kate@ncil.org.

Home Usability Peer Network May Meeting
2025-05-14 14:00 - 15:00

Coffee Chats: Executive Directors and Management-Level Staff
2025-06-02 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-04 15:00 - 16:00
First Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Register

June 2, 2025; 3:00 p.m. Eastern

July 7, 2025; 3:00 p.m. Eastern

August 4, 2025; 3:00 p.m. Eastern

ASL and CART will be provided.

For additional accommodation requests or questions, please contact Mary-Kate Wells at Mary-Kate@ncil.org or Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.

National Conversation on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Exploring Equity in a Shifting Landscape
2025-06-04 15:00 - 16:30
Archive

Webinar recording

Transcript (Word)

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) recently convened a powerful national webinar titled A National Conversation on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, bringing together leading voices in the disability rights movement to address the evolving definitions and implications of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in today’s sociopolitical climate.

The conversation was moderated by Theo Braddy, Executive Director of NCIL and a long-standing leader in the independent living movement. Braddy opened the session by grounding the discussion in NCIL’s commitment to disability-led advocacy and the urgent need to defend and advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility’s principles under growing national scrutiny.

The panel featured two nationally recognized advocates:

Dara Baldwin

Activist, author, and outspoken voice for equity, Dara Baldwin has spent her career championing policies and practices that uplift marginalized communities. Known for her unapologetic commitment to racial and disability justice, Dara brings deep experience in policy development, community organizing, and intersectional advocacy. Dara Baldwin is the author of To Be a Problem: A Black Woman’s Survival in the Racist Disability Rights Movement.

Vicki Landers

Founder and CEO of Disability Pride PA, Vicki Landers is a dynamic activist who has dedicated her work to empowering people with disabilities and amplifying pride in disability identity. As a business leader and community advocate, Vicki combines personal experience and professional expertise to fight for systemic change and social justice.

Together, the panelists explored the current attacks on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, the real-world impacts on disability communities, and the role of grassroots leadership in reclaiming equity work from political distortion.

This conversation marked a critical step in strengthening the disability community’s unified voice on the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and what’s at stake if we remain silent.

Coffee Chats: Community Organizers, Systems Change Advocates, Non-Management-Level Staff
2025-06-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-05 14:00 - 15:00
First Friday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Register

June 6, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

August 1, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

September 5, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

ASL and CART will be provided.

For additional accommodation requests or questions, please contact Mary-Kate Wells at Mary-Kate@ncil.org or Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.

Coffee Chats: Emerging Leaders
2025-06-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-14 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-11 14:00 - 15:00
Emerging Leaders are broadly defined as people under 40 years old.

Second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Register

June 12, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

July 10, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

August 14, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

September 11, 2025; 2:00 p.m. Eastern

ASL and CART will be provided.

For additional accommodation requests or questions, please contact Mary-Kate Wells at Mary-Kate@ncil.org or Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.

Annual Conference on Independent Living 2025
2025-07-21 09:00 - 2025-07-24 17:00 | Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, Washington DC, DC, 20001-4520, United States
Registration for NCIL’s 2025 Annual Conference on Independent Living is now open!

The theme for this year’s Annual Conference is LEVEL UP: Building Tomorrow Together. The conference will take place July 21-24, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Washington, DC.

Visit our conference web page for more details!

ADA35 National March and Rally in Washington, DC
2025-07-21 15:00 - 17:00
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and our partners at the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) invite YOU to join us for the 2025 National March & Rally in the heart of Washington, DC!

The theme for the 2025 March and Rally is Our Lives, Our Homes, Our Communities. Together, we will march through the streets of Washington, DC to send a clear message: we are united and determined to preserve our freedom to live independently in our communities!

📍 Assembly Time & Location:

March 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. / Grand Hyatt Washington

Gather with us between 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will step off promptly at 3:00 p.m., heading from the Grand Hyatt to Capitol Hill.

Rally: 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.

🎨 Express Yourself!

NCIL Annual Conference attendees can pick up complimentary Do-It-Yourself Sign Kits on the morning of Monday, July 21 on the conference floor. Not attending the conference? No problem — bring your own signs and showcase your message your way!

✨ All Are Welcome.

This is more than a march — it’s a movement. Whether you’re a member, an ally, or simply someone who supports the disability community, your presence matters. Join as we rally together to protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities across the nation.

We’ll be making memories and making history. We hope you’ll join us.

#NCIL2025

Coffee Chats: Community Organizers, Systems Change Advocates, Non-Management-Level Staff
2025-08-01 14:00 - 15:00
First Friday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Register

June 6, 2025; 02:00 p.m. Eastern

August 1, 2025; 02:00 p.m. Eastern

September 5, 2025; 02:00 p.m. Eastern

ASL and CART will be provided.

For additional accommodation requests or questions, please contact Mary-Kate Wells at Mary-Kate@ncil.org or Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.

Understanding the PEO Model: A Strategic Partner for Organization Growth
2025-08-12 15:00 - 16:00
Archive:

Webinar recording

Webinar transcript (Word)

Presentation (PDF)

Presentation (Word)

Join Questco for an informative webinar designed specifically for nonprofit leaders and small organizations.

This session will break down:

What a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) is and how it works

How a PEO differs from traditional HR and operations models commonly used in the nonprofit space

How partnering with a PEO can help reduce administrative burden, improve compliance, and enhance employee benefits — all while freeing up time and resources to focus on your mission.

This live webinar is free and open to the public. The recording will be made available to NCIL members through the Empowerment Training Academy.

Presenters

Travis SwansonQuestcoVice President, Growth

Todd StarkeyQuestcoBusiness Development Manager

Hosted By: National Council on Independent Living Empowerment Training Academy

Opening Doors: Advancing Consumer Control Through HCBS Systems Advocacy
2025-09-19 13:30 - 15:00
Register

Friday, September 19, 2025; 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern

This interactive workshop will explore how Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) systems advocacy directly supports the core services of Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Participants will learn how advocating within the HCBS system opens doors to greater consumer control, community living, and independence for people with disabilities.

Through real-world examples from different states, the session will highlight successful strategies for engaging in HCBS systems advocacy—including participation in the public comment process, consumer advisory committees, and other community-driven initiatives. Presenters will share how their programs sparked conversations that increased access, improved quality of services, and ensured that the voices of disabled people are centered in policy and planning.

Participants will leave with practical tools, ideas, and inspiration for advancing HCBS advocacy efforts that align with Independent Living philosophy and strengthen consumer leadership.

ASL and CART will be provided. Please contact Mary-Kate (Mary-Kate@ncil.org) or Jessica (Jessica@ncil.org) with any questions or accommodation requests.

This event is funded by the Grassroots Project. The Grassroots Project is a national effort to support disability grassroots advocacy. This project is administered by Human Services Research Institute with funding from the Administration for Community Living. The purpose of the project is to build effective advocacy networks and leaders to support high quality policy design and implementation.

Community Conversation: Federal Funding and Government Shutdown Impact on The Independent Living Program
2025-10-09 15:00 - 16:30
In light of the recent government shutdown, we know many of you have questions about how this may affect funding and your programs. We want to hear from you! We invite you to join a community conversation so that your voice and experiences will guide our advocacy and response efforts.

NCIL is hosting this community conversation to:

Answer any questions we can about the shutdown

Discuss potential impacts on Part B-funded CILs and SILCs

Understand how your communities are being affected

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern Location: Zoom

Register online

This is an open space for dialogue, and we encourage anyone to attend. Your insights are essential as we work to advocate for the needs of our community during this time.

If you have specific questions or concerns you’d like addressed during the session, please feel free to submit them on the registration form or email them in advance to NCIL Advocacy and Public Policy Director Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.

ASL and CART will be provided. If you need other accommodations, please contact Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Digital Accessibility for CILs, SILCs and other Non-Profits
2025-10-23 15:00 - 16:00
Archive:

Webinar archive

Presentation (PDF)

Presentation (Word)

Transcript (Word)

Digital accessibility shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Yet many organizations struggle with the technical complexity of making their websites genuinely accessible—not just compliant on paper, but truly usable for people with disabilities.

That’s why the National Council on Independent Living is partnering with ArcStone and Insi to offer free web accessibility training specifically designed for disability advocacy organizations and Centers for Independent Living.

The recording of this webinar is available to NCIL members through the Empowerment Training Academy.

What You’ll Learn

This isn’t another compliance-focused webinar that leaves you confused. We’re covering practical accessibility fundamentals you can implement immediately:

Online accessibility basics including Section 508, WCAG guidelines, and what different compliance levels actually mean for your organization

An overview of accessibility fundamentals from structural foundations and design choices to content creation and interactive features

Accessibility tools you can use today—we’ll demonstrate free browser tools, professional scanning platforms, and show you what automated tools can and cannot do

Real demonstrations of Chrome Lighthouse, WAVE, ANDI, and Insi’s automated scanning technology

Throughout the session, we’ll address your specific challenges, from whether you have accessibility experts on staff to how your current website designs address accessibility requirements.

Why This Partnership Matters

NCIL members are uniquely positioned to lead by example in digital accessibility. Your websites serve people with disabilities every day. When Centers for Independent Living and disability rights organizations prioritize genuine accessibility over superficial compliance, it demonstrates what’s truly possible.

This training represents a collaboration between NCIL’s advocacy expertise, ArcStone’s two decades of WordPress experience, and Insi’s accessibility scanning technology. Together, we’re bringing insightful and practical accessibility training to organizations that need it most.

Beyond the Webinar

We’re keeping this session interactive. You’ll have opportunities to ask specific questions about your website challenges, and we’ll address common obstacles facing disability advocacy organizations—from limited technical staff to competing priorities.

You’ll also receive post-webinar materials and exclusive discounts on professional accessibility tools as a NCIL member.

Whether you’re just beginning your accessibility journey or looking to strengthen existing efforts, you’ll leave with practical knowledge and actionable next steps for creating more inclusive digital experiences.

Community Conversation: Changing Landscape – Food Insecurity and the Independent Living Network
2025-10-30 15:00 - 16:30
Register online

Considering the recent federal policy changes from recently-passed legislation (H.R. 1) and the government shutdown, we know many of you have questions about how this may affect your programs and the communities you serve.

We want to hear from you! We invite you to join a community conversation where your voice and experiences will guide our advocacy and response efforts.

NCIL will be hosting a community conversation to:

Answer any questions we can related to changes in federal policy

Discuss potential impacts on CIL programming

Discuss partnerships and actions CILs and SILCs can take to support the communities we serve

Understand how your communities are being affected

Hear why food benefits are important to you!

This is an open space for dialogue, and we encourage anyone to attend. Your insights are essential as we work to advocate for the needs of our community during this time.

If you have specific questions or concerns you’d like addressed during the session, you can submit them on the registration form or by emailing NCIL Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.

ASL and CART will be provided. If you need accommodations, please email jessica@ncil.org.

We look forward to connecting with you!

State and Local Strategies to Expand Inclusive Housing for People with Disabilities
2025-11-21 13:00 - 14:30
Creating housing that is affordable, accessible, and inclusive for people with disabilities starts close to home. Decisions made by local and state leaders—from housing agencies to zoning boards—shape whether our communities truly work for everyone.

That’s why we’re co-hosting this event.

📅 Friday, November 21, 2025

🕒 10:00–11:30 a.m. Paific | 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern

💻 Free on Zoom | ASL interpretation + captions provided

Register online

This 90-minute national webinar will bring together disability and housing leaders to:

Explore how state Qualified Allocation Plans (QAPs) can prioritize accessibility and inclusion.

Share strategies for partnering with and influencing Public Housing Authorities (PHAs);

Highlight how zoning and land use reforms can expand accessible, transit-oriented housing; and

Discuss local tenant protections that support stability for people with disabilities.

Speakers include: Rasheedah Phillips from PolicyLink, Hunter Herrera-McFarland from The Kelsey, Parisa Ijadi-Maghsoodi from National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and Caroline Bas, Consultant, National Coalition for Elevator Reform.

Urgent: Independent Living Program Executive Directors Meeting
2025-12-05 15:00 - 16:30
Register online

Audience: This meeting is for Executive Directors (or equivalent) of Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils to discuss urgent updates related to federal funding.

Agenda

Discuss time sensitive federal funding updates

State-level updates from participants

Open discussion and next steps

Contact

ASL and CART will be provided. If you have any questions or if you need any accommodations, please contact NCIL Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Jessica Podesva at jessica@ncil.org.

The Right Information at the Right Time: Findings on I&R/A Collaboration
2025-12-19 15:00 - 16:00
Register online

Join National I&R Support Center for the webinar: The Right Information at the Right Time: Findings on I&R/A Collaboration.

This session will highlight insights from the national Information & Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) survey and practices across aging and disability networks. The webinar will explore how I&R/A programs collaborate with partners within the I&R sector and with health and human service providers to strengthen referrals and access to services. Participants will gain an understanding of the elements that support collaboration, the roles of I&R/A programs in consumer access systems, and the impacts on service delivery for individuals seeking information, resources, and assistance.

Presenters:

Mary-Kate Wells, Director of Programs, The National Council on Independent Living

Nanette Relave, Senior Director, National I&R Support Center, ADvancing States

Pre-registration is required for this webinar. Space is limited so make sure to register as soon as possible.

NDI Event: Navigating Accessible Vehicle Purchase
2026-01-14 11:00 - 12:30
Join National Disability Institute for answers to your concerns and questions around the process of purchasing an accessible vehicle.

Having a reliable, accessible vehicle dramatically improves quality of life helping people to maintain employment, get to medical appointments and actively participate in their community.

Presenters include NCIL Executive Director Theo Braddy

Read more / register

Coffee Chat for Executive Directors and Management-Level Staff
2026-01-16 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-02 15:00 - 16:00
Looking for a space to connect, share ideas, and strategize with peers across the country? NCIL’s Coffee Chats are your opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about pressing grassroots and systems change advocacy issues.

What to Expect:

A monthly theme to spark discussion

Open space for strategy sharing

Peer feedback on challenges

Whether you want to dive into advocacy strategies, troubleshoot obstacles, or simply connect with others doing similar work, this is the place for you!

We are offering two types of recurring Coffee Chats:

Coffee Chat for Executive Directors and Management-Level Staff

Typically, the first Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Register for the Director and Management-Level Coffee Chats

January 16, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

February 2, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

March 2, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

April 6, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

May 4, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

June 1, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

August 3, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Coffee Chats for Community Organizers, Systems Change Advocates, Non-Management-Level Staff

Typically, first Friday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Register for the Advocates, Organizers, IL Staff Coffee Chats

February 6, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

March 6, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

April 3, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

May 1, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

June 5, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

August 7, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

September 4, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Bring your coffee, your questions, and your ideas — we can’t wait to chat with you!

ASL and CART will be provided. If you need any additional accommodations or ideas for a monthly theme, please reach out to Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.

Coffee Chats for Organizers, Advocates, Non-Management Staff
2026-02-06 14:30 - 15:30
Looking for a space to connect, share ideas, and strategize with peers across the country? NCIL’s Coffee Chats are your opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about pressing grassroots and systems change advocacy issues.

What to Expect:

A monthly theme to spark discussion

Open space for strategy sharing

Peer feedback on challenges

Whether you want to dive into advocacy strategies, troubleshoot obstacles, or simply connect with others doing similar work, this is the place for you!

We are offering two types of recurring Coffee Chats:

Coffee Chats for Community Organizers, Systems Change Advocates, Non-Management-Level Staff

Typically, first Friday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Register for the Advocates, Organizers, IL Staff Coffee Chats

February 6, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

March 6, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

April 3, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

May 1, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

June 5, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

August 7, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

September 4, 2026: 2:30 p.m. Eastern

Coffee Chat for Executive Directors and Management-Level Staff

Typically, the first Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Register for the Director and Management-Level Coffee Chats

January 16, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

February 2, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

March 2, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

April 6, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

May 4, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

June 1, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

August 3, 2026: 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Bring your coffee, your questions, and your ideas — we can’t wait to chat with you!

ASL and CART will be provided. If you need any additional accommodations or ideas for a monthly theme, please reach out to Jessica Podesva at Jessica@ncil.org.
