I ask that you support the National Council on Independent Living’s 2009 Annual Campaign.  As we prepare our next generation in leading change, your grassroots contribution will nurture the future of our community.  NCIL needs your assistance to advance independent living through advocacy, training, and the outreach needed to codify and elevate the Independent Living Movement. Your contribution will help us continue to support and empower individuals to participate fully and equally in the social, political and economic life of their community and our great country. 

With your contribution NCIL will:

• enact ADA Restoration and Community Choice legislation;
• better shift federal dollars from institutions to community-based services;
• expand access to equal employment and transportation options;
• enact Rehabilitation Act Reauthorization and increase funding for the Independent Living Program;
• eliminate the Medicare waiting period;
• ensure mental health parity;
• increase affordable and accessible housing;
• better serve veterans and older Americans with disabilities; and
• focus on independent living internationally.

NCIL is the oldest cross-disability, consumer-driven organization in the United States.  As a membership organization, we advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through grassroots, consumer-driven advocacy.  Membership dues, government and foundation grants, and corporate support do not provide the resources to meet the needs of our members and our mission.  

This year NCIL held the first Congressional Briefing on NCIL Policy Priorities, advocated for an increase in funding for the Independent Living Program and reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, celebrated our 25th Anniversary at our largest ever Annual

Conference, educated hundreds of independent living employees through IL Net trainings, expanded youth oriented programming, established partnerships between the aging and IL communities, and increased NCIL membership to record levels.  NCIL members lead implementation of Money Follows the Person demonstration grants across the country, a first step in ending the institutional bias forever.

Your valued support is crucial to our continued success!  Please support our vision of a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully. Join our 2008 NCIL Annual Campaign!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2008,

John A. Lancaster

Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living

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Click here to become an NCIL Member (with the option to donate at the same time).