National Council on Independent Living

Statement on Order Rescinding Community Integration Provisions of Section 504 Yesterday, the federal judge in Texas v. Kennedy issued a ruling. This order rescinds the regulations that enforce the community integration provisions of Section 504. This applies to all states. More: bit.ly/4xNJQwG

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Community Resources for Independent Living (Hayward, CA) Closing: October 15, 2026 The Executive Director will provide overall leadership and direction for CRIL and will be responsible for advancing the organization’s mission and strategy. More: bit.ly/46lYPCK

The photos from NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living are now available to view and download. View the photos: bit.ly/45GqkXh Looking for something specific? Email eleanor@ncil.org with any questions or edit requests. #NCIL2026

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act is legislation to ensure older adults and people with disabilities have a real choice between receiving long-term care at home or in institutional settings. Read more: bit.ly/4z6IA9I

Executive Director, Rolling Start, Inc. (San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono, California) Closing date: August 31, 2026 Are You Ready to Lead a Powerful Center for Independent Living in California’s Inland Empire? Rolling Start has served people with disabilities for nearly 50 years. bit.ly/45LQPdL

A Message from Theo Braddy: Every Six Months, I Become Disabled Again Every six months, the system will ask me a question it already knows the answer to. Am I still disabled? I know that sounds ridiculous. It sounds ridiculous because it is. Read more: bit.ly/3RzW2lL

Update on OMB Proposed Rule This message is to provide an update on the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), titled Federal Grant Rule Changes. Read more: bit.ly/4wJfKe1

Collaborative artwork created by attendees at #NCIL2026. It says “NCIL 2026 ART” and has hearts, hands, and handwritten disability rights statements like “Our rights are not up for cuts,” “Disability rights are civil rights,” “Let us LIVE!”, “LEAD ON!”, “Our Voices Our Choices,” and “Keep 504”.

OPEN POSITION: Manager of Program Development and Technical Assistance, APRIL (Remote with occasional travel) The Association of Programs for Independent Living is a membership organization dedicated to advancing the rights of people with disabilities in rural America. Read more: bit.ly/4hRp1Me

As Republicans try to dismantle our hard-won rights and protections, we are organized and fighting back together -- in every community, classroom, and here in the halls of Congress. Thank you @ncil.bsky.social for this powerful gathering, let's get to work.

"We won't go back." ♿💙 Some highlights from this year's @ncil.bsky.social march on Washington for disability rights #IndependentLiving #DisabilityCommunity #Accessibility #WashingtonDC

This document outlines NCIL’s funding requests and legislative priorities and demonstrates why investing in independence is both fiscally responsible and consistent with our nation’s commitment to equal opportunity. Tomorrow we take our message to Capitol Hill! ncil.org/2026-confere...

Join us tomorrow, July 21, for a March and Rally in Washington, DC! bit.ly/4fleCph

We're in Washington, D.C. for the @ncil.bsky.social Annual Conference! ♿ Joining us this week is Amber Hammond, who reminds us why advocacy matters: "Legislators aren't going to know what we want and need unless we tell them."

NCIL is Hiring for Two Remote Positions! NCIL is seeking collaborative professionals to support accessible, high-quality programs and services. Job descriptions: Project Coordinator: bit.ly/4vRv2g5 Accessibility Associate: bit.ly/4wrRbS7 Deadline: July 22, 2026.

NCIL's Annual Conference online registration closes July 8, 2026. Those who do not register online by the deadline may still register at the conference, but a nametag will not be waiting for them. Maximize your time and energy by registering online in the next week! Read more: bit.ly/4vO5iS8

How are states improving disability employment outcomes? Check out the LEAD Center webinar archive to learn how states are aligning workforce systems and more! bit.ly/4wQxeph

A Message from Theo Braddy: The Urgency of the Moment The recent Department of Justice memo is another serious reminder that the threats facing people with disabilities, our civil rights, and the Independent Living Movement are real. Personally, I am not surprised by this memo. bit.ly/4fZZsIb

Today we are launching the Protect Independent Living Silent Auction, which runs through July 20. Auction: bit.ly/4vYyEfZ FAQ: bit.ly/4f2Fhbq Please direct all questions to Dara Bright at dara@ncil.org. Happy bidding and thank you for supporting the disability-led Independent Living Movement!

Looking for new ways to recruit and retain direct support professionals (DSPs) in your state? Access the latest LEAD Center webinar to address the DSP shortage crisis here: bit.ly/4uxtnM2

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director indiGO (Superior, Wisconsin) Closing Date: July 10, 2026 IndiGO is seeking a dynamic individual with vision and excellent communication skills to interact with peers, legislators, current and prospective donors, the media and community. Read more: bit.ly/4xHUYfw

NCIL strongly condemns the recent Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memo that attempts to undermine the integration mandate at the heart of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision. More: bit.ly/4aH3kKw

The Department of Labor (@dol.gov) recently updated its “Secure Your Financial Future” toolkit with resources for workers, families, caregivers, and service providers. Learn more: bit.ly/4nNCiq9

EWTN News: Disability advocates file federal suits over ‘imminent risk’ of New York, Illinois suicide laws Laws that allow doctors to help kill their patients risk a “deadly and discriminatory system” for disabled individuals, suits argue. Read more: bit.ly/4vL70mG

Spectrum News 1: Disability rights advocate explains lawsuit against New York's Medical Aid in Dying law Read more: bit.ly/4aYgKBY

OPEN POSITION: Men's Support Group Facilitator - Spinal Cord Injury, Ability360 (Phoenix, Arizona) Closing date: July 15, 2026 Ability 360 is seeking a male with lived experience with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to lead their monthly men’s Support Group. Read more: bit.ly/3S8H4TC

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, SMILES (Southern Minnesota) Closing: July 14, 2026 SMILES is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven ED to lead a respected nonprofit empowering individuals with disabilities to live independently and fully participate in their communities. More: bit.ly/49Waomo

The agenda for NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living has been updated with new details, and the full workshop schedule is now available on our website. - Workshops: bit.ly/49LbS2F - Agenda: bit.ly/4fuIZvn

NCIL Mourns the Passing of Former President Kent Crenshaw Kent was more than a leader. He was a champion for the Independent Living Movement, a tireless advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, and a friend and mentor to many across our nation. Read more: bit.ly/4dSYIDk

A Message from Theo Braddy: Ordinary People! Behind every well-known leader were thousands of people doing the hard work every single day. People whose names may never appear in books or documentaries, but who helped build this movement from the ground up. Read more: bit.ly/4dQaazp

Access Living has announced settlement of the second-largest accessible affordable housing lawsuit in history. After over 8 years, the City of Chicago will now be required to build and / or retrofit 2,800 units to be accessible, with a significant portion of those being affordable. bit.ly/499h28s

NCIL is offering scholarships to attend our 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living to youth with disabilities ages 18–26. NCIL also offers the Emet Tauber Scholarship for at least one youth with a disability who is also trans and / or Jewish. Deadline: June 12, 2026 More: bit.ly/42UBiqV

Call for Volunteers! NCIL's 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living is scheduled for July 20-23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC. Committed volunteers are critical to its success. Read more: bit.ly/3RmsRBX

If you know me, you have probably heard me say this more than once, “little by little”. I say it a lot because I have lived it. I have lived those moments when life hits you so hard, and you don’t see a way out. When the situation feels too big! Too heavy! Too far gone! bit.ly/42kE6NK

OPEN POSITION: Independent Living Specialist, Disability Connection Midsouth (Memphis, TN) Closing Date: May 10, 2026 The specialist will assist in tracking goals and services by providing peer support, role modeling, information, referral and advocacy as needed. Read more: bit.ly/3OKeWVA

Annual Conference Early Bird Rates End May 1! Early Bird registration rates for NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living end Friday, May 1. Don’t miss out! Visit our Annual Conference website to review the agenda and workshops, register, and book your hotel room: bit.ly/4rLhUXj

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director (Part-Time), Accessible Resources for Independence (Glen Burnie, MD) Closing: April 15, 2026 ARI is mission-driven and actively practices its disability-rights values during a time when it is facing strong headwinds from funding sources. More: bit.ly/4sS9r5Y

NCIL celebrates Trans people with disabilities as a vital part of our community. Read about Trans Day of Visibility at the link below. glaad.org/tdov/

A Message from Theo Braddy: Life Happens One of my family members is in his seventies. Until recently, he lived a life most people would describe as healthy. His body mostly did what he asked of it, when he asked. Then life changed. More: bit.ly/47qvjwv

Registration Open: 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living! July 20-23 (Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC) We’ll be making memories and making history. We hope you’ll join us. Visit our Annual Conference website to review the agenda and workshops, register, and book your hotel.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) help people with disabilities live, work, and participate in their communities. Visit the LEAD Center webinar archive to learn how DSP experience can lead to many career pathways! bit.ly/3Z8oNpO

OPEN POSITION: Coordinator of Youth Services, APRIL (Remote) Open until filled. Responsible for providing services to ensure that youth with disabilities have opportunities to build individual and collective leadership skills, maximizing their opportunities to affect change. bit.ly/4ljvL5i

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (San Jose, CA) Closing date: open until filled SVILC is searching for an experienced and highly visible Executive Director who will champion systemic change for people living with disabilities. More: bit.ly/40qpACZ

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Mainstream CIL (Little Rock, AR) Open until filled The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of Mainstream and provides visionary, mission-driven leadership grounded in the Independent Living philosophy. More: bit.ly/4sx1K4n

Support NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living! Sponsorship opportunities: bit.ly/4bkAyz1 Browse our sponsorship levels, and when you are ready, fill out the: commitment form: bit.ly/4cDdKNe

FINAL REMINDER! Workshop Proposals for NCIL's 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living are due March 7, 2026. Read more: bit.ly/3MW8iui

Watch the latest webinar from The LEAD Center to learn how workforce programs use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to build AI literacy, so that training works for all job seekers, including people with disabilities. bit.ly/4a4gXm1

A Call to Action to Protect Independent Living from the Legendary Tony Coelho: bit.ly/4tYibIB Donate today to join the fight: bit.ly/3MWg1IG

Reminder: NCIL Workshop Proposals Due March 7, 2026! Read more: bit.ly/3MW8iui

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is proud to announce the release of our 2024 + 2025 Annual Report. It highlights key accomplishments, advocacy achievements, and continued efforts to advance the disability led Independent Living Movement. Explore the full report: bit.ly/3MCStIX