Revolution: A Global Independent Living Movement Annual Conference on Independent Living 2017 Conference Guide July 24-27, 2017; Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC Presented by the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Image: A globe in NCIL blue encompasses a heart symbol. A Message from the Executive Director Dear Advocates and Friends, In the wake of a new Administration and troubling changes to services for people with disabilities in our country, it may be tempting to turn our focus inwards at this time. Instead, we are expanding our vision to celebrate the strides being made in the Independent Living Movement around the world. We unite with our friends both nationally and internationally to present our 2017 Annual Conference on Independent Living: Revolution – A Global Independent Living Movement. Independent Living is not just an American issue. Globally, there are over one billion people with disabilities, comprising one fifth of the world’s population, according to the World Report on Disability. We must continue to advocate so that people with disabilities can live wherever and however they choose. Now is the time to join forces with our international allies as we push back against the rising tide of discrimination and bigotry that confronts people with disabilities every day. We will come together this summer to proclaim that we will not be silenced. Independence may have sparked our fire, but it is interdependence that will keep it burning. I hope you will join us this July as we do the work that will bring our Movement to its full potential: a united people who will create a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully. Kelly Buckland Table of Contents - A Message from the Executive Director - #ADAyouthpledge - Agenda - Events - Workshops & Poster Sessions - Access, Accommodations, & Resources - What to Bring - Registration Policies - Hotels & Lodging - Airports & Transportation #ADAYouthPledge Due to a variety of barriers, most especially cost, youth with disabilities have been unable to fully participate in the national disability community. We are asking that your organization takes the #ADAYouthPledge through one of three ways: - Pledge to financially sponsor 2 young people in your local area to attend the NCIL conference. - Pledge to financially sponsor 2 young professionals on your staff to attend the NCIL conference. - Contribute towards the Youth Scholarship Fund that will bring young people from across the country to the NCIL conference. Your donation will support plane tickets, hotel accommodations, personal assistance services, and registration costs for attendees. Visit ncil.org/youthpledge to take action! With your help, we can bring youth with disabilities to the NCIL Conference and ensure that #GenerationADA is empowered, engaged, and supported to lead. We ask that you tweet us with your pledges @youth_fellow. Thank you for your support! Agenda Saturday, July 22 - NCIL Board Meeting: 1:30 - 6:00 p.m. * Sunday, July 23 - Registration Open: 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Global IL Summit: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 24 - Registration Open: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Opening Plenary: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Legislative & Advocacy Update: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. - Preparing for the Day on the Hill: 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. - Lunch (on your own) - Greater Washington Internship Coalition Presentation: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops I: 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. - Regional Caucuses -- Regions 6-10: 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. -- Regions 1-5: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. - Diversity Mixer: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 - Organize for the March: 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. - March to & Rally at the Capitol: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Hill Visits: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 - Registration and Exhibits Open: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops II: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. - Exhibit Fair: 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Film Screening - Rooted in Rights’ “Bottom Dollars”: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Awards Luncheon: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Annual Meeting: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Closing Social: 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27 - Registration and Exhibits Open: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops III: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. - Concurrent Workshops IV: 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. - Lunch (on your own) - NCIL Youth Caucus Annual In-Person Meeting: 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops V: 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. - Legislative Debriefing: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Closing Plenary: 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.   Friday, July 28 - NCIL Board Meeting: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. * Notes Questions: Contact us at conference@ncil.org Registration You may register multiple people in one transaction by using our online store. Visit ncil.org for: - online registration - printable registration forms - personal assistant registration Participants must register for the Conference before being eligible for a discounted rate at the hotels. Accessible rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. See Page 17 for complete registration details. Reservations: Identify yourself as a NCIL Conference attendee to receive the discounted rate. Grand Hyatt: 800.233.1234 Deadline: July 5, 2017 * NCIL Board Meetings NCIL Board meetings are open to the public. If you plan to attend either of these events and require an accommodation, please contact tim@ncil.org. Events NCIL Board Meeting: Saturday, July 22; 1:30 - 6:00 p.m. Global Independent Living Summit: Sunday, July 23; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Independent Living Movement is growing rapidly. In recent years, we’ve had as many as 1,500 attendees at NCIL’s Annual Conference from all 50 states and around the world. Centers for Independent Living are springing up in the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Taiwan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, to name just a few. The Global IL Summit represents an unprecedented step forward for NCIL and the Independent Living Movement as a whole. We will join together to learn from one another and explore the creation of a global network for Independent Living. Opening Plenary: Monday, July 24; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Join us for an opening keynote address to kick off a week of movement-building and global solidarity! Complete details will be available in the Conference Program. Don’t miss this exciting 2017 Annual Conference opener! Legislative & Advocacy Update: Monday, July 24; 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. Get up-to-date information on the progress of NCIL’s advocacy efforts from the Chairs of NCIL’s Legislative & Advocacy Committees. The Chairs will review and answer questions about NCIL’s advocacy talking points so participants are fully prepared for their Congressional visits on Tuesday. Preparing for the Day on the Hill: Monday, July 24; 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. Learn the ABCs of NCIL’s March & Rally, including where to meet, what to bring, important information about our route, what to do in case of an emergency, and how to get home after your Capitol Hill Visits. Greater Washington Internship Coalition Presentation: Monday, July 24; 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. We invite staff who work directly with youth from Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils to come learn about the Greater Washington Internship Coalition (GWIC), a group of organizations dedicated to provided resources and internship opportunities for youth with disabilities. The meeting will feature several presentations from prominent members with internship opportunities, allowing CILs and SILCs to see what programs are available for their young consumers. For more information on the Greater Washington Internship Coalition, please visit www.gwicinternships.org. This is a brown bag lunch, and is open to youth transition coordinators, CIL & SILC staff who work directly with youth, and members of GWIC. Regional Caucuses: Monday, July 24 - Regions VI through X: 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. - Regions I through V: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. This is your opportunity to strategize for your Capitol Hill Visits. Each state decides who will attend which meeting to ensure that every legislator is visited. Please note the separate times listed for Regions I - V and VI - X. A list of Regions by state is available at www.ncil.org/regions. Diversity Mixer: Monday, July 24; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The Diversity Committee will present awards to NCIL members who have committed themselves to centering people of color, LGBTQIA, young people, and other communities underrepresented in IL. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, accompanied by a cash-bar. March & Rally at the U.S. Capitol: Tuesday, July 25; 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This annual tradition is your opportunity to take grassroots advocacy to the streets! Participants will march from the Grand Hyatt to Capitol Hill carrying signs and chanting for disability rights Then, marchers will converge in front of the Capitol for an empowering rally. Complementary Do-It-Yourself Sign Kits will be provided to Conference registrants who wish to participate. Capitol Hill Visits: Tuesday, July 25; 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. The key to a successful Hill Visit is planning! It is very important that meetings with legislators are scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance. Contact the legislator’s Appointment Secretary / Scheduler to schedule a meeting for the afternoon of July 25 (after 1:00p.m.). Explain your purpose and who you represent. It will be easier for Congressional staff to arrange a meeting if they know what you wish to discuss. Direct requests for interpreters and other accommodations to Congressional staff. Exhibit Fair: Wednesday, July 26; 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Spend some time browsing the products and services offered by our exhibitors, many of which are your fellow NCIL members. The NCIL Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our exhibitors and sponsors. Exhibits will be open all day Wednesday and Thursday. Film Screening - Rooted in Rights’ “Bottom Dollars”: Wednesday, July 26; 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join Rooted in Rights for an open captioned and audio described screening of Bottom Dollars, their new hour-long documentary that exposes the segregated workplaces and low wages often paid to people with disabilities. Through personal stories and expert interviews, the film presents a vision for better alternatives that promote community inclusion, equal opportunity, and fair wages. After the screening, the Rooted in Rights team will share their experiences with Bottom Dollars as a case study in how film screenings can be used in successful community organizing. Explore best practices for accessible events that energize members and leave with a free DVD! Awards Luncheon: Wednesday, July 26; 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Join us to celebrate and honor this year’s national award winners! Awards will be presented over lunch. Admission to this event is included in full Conference registration. Annual Council Meeting: Wednesday, July 26; 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. Attend the Annual Council Meeting to vote for Board members and resolutions that will guide NCIL in the coming years. This year, elections will be held for: President, Treasurer, Diversity Chair and three Members-At-Large. Elections for Representatives of Regions I, III, V, VII, and IX will be held prior to the Conference and the winners will be announced at the meeting. CILs and SILCs must pay their 2017 dues in full by June 26 (30 days prior) to be eligible to vote in person or by proxy. Closing Social: Wednesday, July 26; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the revolution. Come ready to join your fellow advocates in merriment and don’t forget your dancing shoes! Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available free of charge, accompanied by a cash-bar. NCIL Youth Caucus Annual In-Person Meeting: Thursday, July 27; 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. The NCIL Youth Caucus will meet to discuss their 2016 year-in-review and goals for 2017. This event is open to any Youth Caucus member, NCIL youth scholarship recipient, or anyone under the age of 26 who is interested in joining the NCIL Youth Caucus. This is a brown bag lunch. Legislative Debriefing: Thursday, July 27; 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. This session will summarize the advocacy accomplished during the week and serve as a springboard for development of a plan of action that can be implemented at the national, state, and local levels during the coming year. Closing Plenary: Thursday, July 27; 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. Invited guests will deliver a closing keynote on pressing advocacy issues important to the NCIL membership and energize the crowd before we return home and prepare to make change. NCIL Board Meeting: Friday, July 28; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshops & Poster Sessions Poster Sessions A poster session is the presentation of research information with an academic or professional focus. Posters are displayed throughout the NCIL Conference space at the discretion of the presenter. Creative Community Access Poster by: Audrey Schremmer - Executive Director, Three Rivers Inc. Three Rivers Inc. collaborated with the University of Kansas Engineering Department and the National Science Foundation BREAK program to engineer an accessible children's train car so that children using wheelchairs can now fully experience riding the Spirit of Wamego Train that has operated in the city park since 1947. This poster presentation outlines the collaborative methods, which included multiple public and private partnerships, to accomplish this project, which is believed to be one of a kind in the United States. Workshop Tracks - International Track: Workshops related to understanding and supporting international development of the Independent Living Movement. - Youth Track: Workshops related to youth leadership, outreach, and movement building. - WIOA / Core-Services Track: Workshops addressing WIOA, ILA, and / or sharing innovation and best practices in the core services of Centers for Independent Living. - Healthcare / Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Track: Workshops related to healthcare, personal assistant services, managed care, and deinstitutionalization. - SILC Track: Workshops covering best practices and innovation in operations and programs of Statewide Independent Living Councils. - General Track: Workshops for staff, consumers, and other advocates in the Independent Living Movement that do not fit the other five categories. Workshop Sessions The following workshops have been selected by NCIL’s Annual Conference Subcommittee. Great care has been taken to ensure that the workshops are, as a whole, relevant to this year’s Conference theme and valuable to a cross-section of CIL, SILC, and IL Association staff, board members, consumers, and other advocates. Workshops are classified by target audience: Front Line Staff & Consumers, Advocates & Project Directors, or Executive Directors & Board Members. Workshops are also classified as Newcomer, Experienced, or Appropriate for all levels at the end of each description.   Concurrent Workshops I Monday, July 24, 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. IL in Japan and Beyond! International Track Presented by: Satoshi Sato – Japan Council on Independent Living Centers Individuals from Japan Council on Independent Living Centers (JIL) will lead this exciting discussion on the IL Movement in Japan and East Asia. We must work together to achieve global solidarity. Please join us to learn how we can reach across borders and work together to expand the IL Movement! Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Fifth Core: Bridging Youth to the Rest of Their Lives WIOA / Core Service Track Presented by: Katie Blank – Manager of Youth Institute, Access Living; Reri Barrett - Youth Job Developer and Coach, Access Living; Jacky Dorantes - READY Coordinator, Access Living; Erin Michalowski - READY Coordinator, Access Living The fifth core service is now “… [To] facilitate the transition of youth …with significant disabilities… to postsecondary life.” Access Living’s Youth Institute can be a model for your CIL to meet the requirements for WIOA, through a combination of different funding sources. Presenters highlight two components of the Institute. Pre-Employment Transition Services connects youth to employment while in school to gain experience. READY is a liaison from high school to employment for youth with disabilities. Unlike traditional job placement and job coaching, READY is a unique program. Attendees will learn how to bridge youth to long-term careers. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Introduction to the New Guidebook for SILC Members and Chairpersons / Administrators SILC Track Presented by: Paula McElwee - TA Coordinator, IL-NET; Ann McDaniel - Executive Director, West Virginia SILC The SILC-NET national training and technical assistance project for SILCs offers this orientation to the newly published IL-NET guidebook for SILC members, chairpersons, and administrators. The guide is a resource for orienting and training new members; a quick reference to check duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the SILC; a summary of tips and strategies for managing a council and committees; suggestions for bylaws and procedures; a summary of Robert’s Rules of Order; ideas for the support of members and other collaborators; points to remember in the SPIL development process; and much more. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Partnering with Managed Care: What's In It for Me? Healthcare & LTSS Track Presented by: Erica Anderson - Senior Director, Disability Network Business Acumen Center at the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) The transition of Long Term Services and Supports to managed care is creating both new opportunities and challenges for community providers. Many CILs are deciding how and if they want to contract with these organizations. This session will describe the value that effective partnerships can bring to both the Center for Independent Living and the managed care organization. Target Audience: Executive Directors and Board Members. Knowledge Level: Experienced. L&A Hot Topic General Track This workshop session has been reserved for discussion of a pressing advocacy issue. Details will be available in the Conference Program. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Concurrent Workshops II Wednesday, July 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Independent Living Revisited International Track Presented by: Adolf Ratzka, Ph.D. - Director, Independent Living Institute, Sweden This workshop will explore the original understanding of Independent Living, subsequent changes in understanding, and a shift in emphasis as caused by changing political, economic, and social environments from the perspectives of mainly the U.S. and Western Europe. We will look at concepts such self-determination, deinstitutionalization, mainstream education, disabled vs. old people, direct payments and market forces, and I will question "Nothing about us without us" as our motto. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Creating Inclusive Career Pathways: Leveraging Partnerships Across Systems WIOA / Core Service Track Presented by: Jennifer Sheehy - Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP); Bob Williams - Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Disabilities, Administration for Community Living, and Director of the Independent Living Administration at HHS; Christopher Button - Supervisory Policy Advisor, ODEP; Rebecca Salon - Project Director, National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center); Andy Arias - Workforce Policy Team Advisor, ODEP The Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) increases requirements for workforce development systems to meet the needs of youth and adults with disabilities, increasing their access to workforce services and supporting people to achieve employment and economic self-sufficiency outcomes. This interactive session will offer promising practices and effective strategies for partnering with the workforce system and resources available to CILs to support improved employment outcomes. The session will highlight the LEAD Center’s toolkit, Promoting Employment and Economic Advancement: A Toolkit for CILs and AJCs, which was developed with NCIL, CILs in several states, and workforce partners to provide resources to both CILs and American Job Centers (AJCs). Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Independent Living Services in Local Jails General Track Presented by: Karen Boliver - Associate Director, NRCIL; Patricia O'Donnell - Recovery Coach and Peer Counselor, NRCIL; Scott Danforth - Recovery Coach and Peer Counselor, NRCIL The Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL) team will provide a presentation that will focus on both the administration and delivery of peer services in jail settings. Our Recovery Coaches will share how their experiences with substance abuse and incarceration brought them to NRCIL. Working together with leadership as a team, they will share their experiences and negotiations in setting those services up and how this can be done by other CILs. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. American Health Policy 101: Health Reform and Independent Living Healthcare & LTSS Track Presented by: Jae Kennedy - Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living (CHRIL); Lex Frieden - Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU); Karl Cooper - American Association on Health and Disability; Jean Hall - Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies at the University of Kansas; Liz Wood Research Scientist, CHRIL This training workshop will: 1) introduce key terms and concepts in health policy discourse; 2) provide a brief overview of the evolution of the US health care system; 3) describe key components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on people with disabilities; 4) identify specific current Congressional proposals for healthcare reform; and 5) allow ample time for questions and discussion. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Thinking of Changing Your DSE? You Need to Hear This! SILC Track Presented by: Mike Bachhuber - Executive Director, Independent Living Council of Wisconsin; Kathy Hoell, Executive Director of Nebraska SILC Are you thinking of changing your Designated State Entity (DSE)? What should you consider? Several states have already done it. What problems came up – both anticipated and unanticipated? Learn from their experiences and share your own experience related to changing your DSE. Target Audience: Executive Directors and Board Members. Knowledge Level: Experienced. Concurrent Workshops III Thursday, July 27, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. "What the World Needs Now" - U.S. CIL Leaders Share Global IL Movement Perspective from International Exchange International Track Presented by: Marca Bristo - President and CEO, Access Living; Julie Espinoza - Assistant Director, REACH of Plano CIL; Sheri Burns - Executive Director, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center; Susan Sygall - CEO and Co-Founder, Mobility International USA The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has ushered in a new world of activism within the global disability community. Centers for Independent Living are emerging throughout the world! Come hear about the CILs and their impact in Japan, Nepal, and Costa Rica as told by three CIL leaders! Each presenter comes from a different part of the U.S., visited a different country, and saw different cultures – all utilizing the same IL philosophy. Insights will be shared, lessons discussed, and unity sought in how we can all benefit and move forward with the Global IL Movement in the USA. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Parents in Youth Transition WIOA / Core Service Track Presented by: Kings Floyd - 2016-2017 Youth Transition Fellow, NCIL This training workshop will focus on the parents of the youth we serve in the 5th core service. Parents are a resource rarely acknowledged in the Youth IL movement. Learning objectives include how to engage parents as well as youth in CILs. Attendees will consider levels of involvement that parents exhibit in their child's independence, and how that can be both beneficial and problematic for advancing youth transition. Attendees will discuss ideas and solutions for "helicopter parents", as well as the benefits of parent peer support groups, how to balance IEPs for the first time, and how parents can encourage their child in self-determination and independence. We will also discuss how engaged parents can drastically change for the better the level of youth engagement in a Center. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Muslims and Disability General Track Presented by: Aziza Nassar - Ombudsman Advocate, Access Living This workshop will be a roundtable discussion on how to engage Muslims with disabilities in your Center for Independent Living. The facilitator will provide a space to look at the intersection of Islam and disability and how it aligns with the Independent Living philosophy. It will discuss challenges and barriers that disabled Muslims have in accessing CILs. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. What’s Next for Money Follows Person and Transition Services in States Developing Managed Long Term Services and Supports Programs Healthcare & LTSS Track Presented by: Ken Smith - CEO of Long Term Services & Supports and Dual Eligibles, UnitedHealthcare Currently 43 states rely on Money Follows Person (MFP) programs throughout the U.S. to support access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for individuals transitioning from institutions to the community. As funding for MFP ends in 2017 for some states and is timed out for others, identifying new partnerships to continue these important transitioning services will be imperative. Join us in a conversation about the next phase of transition supports in an evolving services environment. Explore how Centers for Independent Living and managed care organizations can partner to deliver these important transition support and services and improve outcomes for individuals. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Empowering Youth to Succeed: Succeeding at the 5th Core! Youth Track Presented by: Amber Keohane - Leader, Youth Transition Team, DCCIL; Shileta Gorham - Independent Living Specialist Assistant, DCCIL; Christopher Nace – DCCIL and DC SILC; Willina Robson - Project Manager, DC Department on Disability Services / Rehabilitation Services Administration; Heyab Berhan - Youth Transition Team Member, DCCIL This workshop will address how the District of Columbia Center for Independent Living, Inc. (DCCIL) started their youth transition services in 2013 and how the CIL collaborated with the DC Public Schools / DC Charter School System and The Designated State Entity (DSE) to implement the fifth core service (Transition) for Centers for Independent Living and fulfill RSA’s transition obligations under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. We will review the challenges faced by our staffs as well as some of the success enjoyed. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Concurrent Workshops IV Thursday, July 27, 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Youth-Led Intersectional Organizing Youth Track Presented by: Keri Gray - Intersectionality and Youth Programming Artist During this workshop, young people will learn about strategies, terminology, and tools to organize around policies and practices related to disability. Movements are often fueled through the efforts of young people. This session will equip Generation ADA on the process of organizing, both through intellect labor and direct action strategies, so they can more fully participate in the revolution of the Independent Living Movement. This workshop will also utilize a framework of intersectionality so that young people with disabilities from all backgrounds are intentionally included in our Movement’s organizing efforts. Target Audience: Frontline Staff and Consumers. Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all knowledge levels. An International Collaboration between Ability360 (An Arizona CIL) and MERCI, Madagascar’s Consumer-Directed Disability Program: Experiences, Challenges, and Lessons Learned from International Professional Development Exchanges International Track Presented by: April Reed - Volunteer Manager, Ability360; Holiniaina Rakotoarisoa - Founder and Executive Director, M.E.R.C.I. One year ago, Ability360, the CIL in Phoenix and Madagascar Education and Resource Center Initiated for all People with Disabilities (M.E.R.C.I), an organization serving individuals with disabilities in Antananarivo, Madagascar, began a collaboration that would prove to be not only a valuable exchange of program best practices, and culture, but a paradigm shift for all involved. Representative from Ability360 and M.E.R.C.I. will share their journey, how other Centers can replicate this exchange, and the work that led to the creation of the first peer support program in Madagascar. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Peer Support Works: The Paper Proof General Track Presented by: Gina Calhoun - Certified Peer Specialist, Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery This workshop will highlight Gina’s journey from long-term institutionalization to full time work as a Certified Peer Specialist. We will briefly explore the history of Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Billable Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Services and the data that demonstrates its mutual benefits. Through valid survey results, Gina will highlight how Peer Support has benefited people participating in the services, Certified Peer Specialists, the Behavioral Health system, and the greater community. We will also review lessons learned and next steps for continued growth of peer support services across the human service delivery system. Target Audience: Frontline Staff and Consumers. Knowledge Level: Experienced. Get Out of Town! IL Services in Rural Areas General Track Presented by: Nan Sninsky - Chief Administrative Officer, Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living (TRIPIL); Brenda Dare - Independent Living Supervisor, TRIPIL Access to places and people can be a challenge no matter where you live, but there are exceptional challenges when you live in a “rustic” setting. Working, visiting relatives, getting groceries, seeking fitness facilities or social opportunities, and getting to / from medical appointments require more time and effort when you live miles away from a centralized hub of activity. Do you know where there are consumers in your service area who live in neighborhoods without sidewalks, store fronts, and bus service? Per Census population statistics, the U.S. is at about an 80%-20% split between urban and rural residents, respectively. Come to this session to determine if your core service delivery is inclusive of consumers in the 20% of those living outside the nation’s cities. Target Audience: Frontline Staff and Consumers. Knowledge Level: Newcomer. How Disability Advocates and the National MLTSS Health Plan Association Can Work Together to Advance Community Integration Healthcare & LTSS Track Presented by: Merrill Friedman - Disability Policy Engagement Team, Anthem; Sarah Triano - National Manager of LTSS Product Innovation and Development, Centene; Lisa Hayes- Associate Vice President of MLTSS, Molina This workshop will feature a round-table discussion between disability advocates and members of the National MLTSS (Managed Long Term Services and Supports) Health Plan Association about shared policy goals and how we can work together to achieve them. Participants will leave with information to leverage synergies and work with MLTSS plans to achieve shared goals. Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences. Knowledge Level: Experienced. Concurrent Workshops V Thursday, July 27, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Global IL Disability Research International Track Presented by: Glen W. White, Ph.D.; Yen Vo – Director, Disability Research and Capacity Development (Vietnam) In Vietnam, less than 0.1% of people with disabilities complete their college degree and youth with severe physical disabilities account for an even smaller percentage. Only a few college graduates with disabilities are able to find jobs and earn enough to support themselves and their family. Even fewer participate in social groups or organizations and/or hold leading positions. Those rare youth with severe physical disabilities have overcome many hardships of prejudice, poverty, and physical barriers to succeed in changing their life and contribute to collective effort to better community. The presenter will provide her findings of factors supporting or hindering the empowerment of youth with severe disabilities in Vietnam and welcome any questions or feedback on her work. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. "There's No Place Like Home" What To Do When the Yellow Brick Road Has Bumps Along the Way WIOA / Core Service Track Presented by: Andrea Costello - Chief Administrative Officer, TRI-County Patriots for Independent Living (TRIPIL); Brenda Dare - Independent Living Specialist Supervisor, TRIPIL (Washington, PA) Presenters will demonstrate how a rural Center for Independent Living has used their diverse skills and multi-tiered approach to transition over 150 individuals annually from nursing facilities into the community. Participants will learn strategies to empower consumers with the tools needed to successfully transition and remain in the community. Focus will be on best practices with setting up Personal Assistant (PAS) Services, providing assistance with home modifications, overcoming family resistance, focusing on a high level of quality assurance and maximizing consumer satisfaction. Target Audience: Frontline Staff and Consumers. Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all knowledge levels. We Need to Talk About Violence Against Our Disabled Community General Track Presented by: Stephanie Hydal - a Program Manager, Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL); Anastasia Bacigalupo - Executive Director, WCIL; Lawrence Carter-Long – Art, Media, and Policy Advocate This workshop will explore violence against people with disabilities, and what CILs and disability activists can do about it. First, we will explore violence by careworkers and intimate partners against the disabled community. Then we will consider police violence as a disability issue that our community must mobilize against. Finally, we will discuss how violence is currently framed in the media - and what we can do about it. Together, as a group, we will explore program measures that can provide support to those reporting domestic violence; disability community responses to police violence; and media interventions. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. HAIL: Empowering CIL Consumers to Manage Their Health Healthcare & LTSS Track Presented by: Dot Nary - Assistant Research Professor, Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas; Audrey Schremmer - Executive Director, Three Rivers, Inc. As baby boomers age, we are becoming more and more aware that good health is important to independent living! This workshop will describe an evidence-based program, Health Access to Independent Living (HAIL), which was developed with consultation with CILs, to assist CIL direct service staff to more easily empower consumers to manage their health. Currently focused on those with mobility impairments but useful to those with other disabilities, HAIL features a) a health resource database, b) fact sheets on the secondary health conditions of pain, fatigue, and depression, c) fact sheets on six health-related consumer skills, and d) a simple process to set and track health-related goals of the consumer's choice (e.g., beginning or increasing exercise, cutting back on pop, making the most of medical appointments.) Presenters will provide results from trials at two CILs, demonstrate the database, provide copies of the fact sheets, and solicit feedback on this program that is still in development. Target Audience and Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all audiences and knowledge levels. Building Sexy Relationships: Activities to Get it Done Youth Track Presented by: Rachel Kaplan - Diabetes Prevention Coordinator, Diabetes Advisory Council of South Carolina; Sierra Royster - Youth Programs Coordinator, Association for Programs on Rural Independent Living (APRIL); Dustin Gibson - NCIL Board Member, Community Builder, APRIL Youth Peer to Peer Mentor “Ask the young. They know everything.” - Joseph Joubert This Youth Track Workshop places focus on young adults with various disabilities and how we, as professionals within the IL Movement, can assist them in honing their communication skills, self-awareness, and individuality to make decisions that impact their personal relationships. We will discuss the benefits of having a peer mentoring to assist a CIL in a program that could include taboo topics that young people need. Some of APRIL’s Peer-to-Peer Mentors will facilitate an interactive workshop session based on an updated sexuality curriculum that utilizes hands-on skill building activities to assist other professionals on what “most used practices” work when discussing dating, relationships, sexuality, and decision-making according to young adults themselves. Target Audience: Frontline Staff and Consumers. Knowledge Level: Appropriate for all knowledge levels. Access, Accommodations, & Resources Environmental / Chemical Sensitivities Fragrance and chemicals can be access barriers. To help make this Conference accessible to participants for whom chemicals or fragrances are an access barrier, NCIL requests that you come fragrance free. Please refrain from wearing any scented products or washing with them. This includes clothing that has been laundered with fragranced detergent or fabric softening products. Additionally, please completely air out any dry-cleaned clothing before wearing it to the Conference. Smoke can also be an access barrier. It is essential that we maintain a smoke-free environment. If you smoke, please use the designated smoking area located outside the Hyatt. Please refrain from smoking near any other doorways or paths of travel. The hotel entrance at 11st Street should be the least polluted with cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust, although it unfortunately has steps. Van Parking The maximum vehicle height for the garage at the Grand Hyatt is 6’ 5”. Grand Hyatt valet staff will park taller vehicles at the Renaissance Washington as space allows. This arrangement will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis and billed at the Grand Hyatt regular self-parking rate of $32 / night. Quiet Room / Sensory Retreat The McPherson room will be available throughout the conference as a quiet room / sensory retreat. This room is reserved for individuals that need a break from overstimulation and / or the large group environment of the Conference. Please help us maintain this accommodation. Please do not use this space to hold conversations or meetings. Auxiliary Aids & Services Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, personal assistants, accessible materials, and other services will be provided upon request for all NCIL Conference activities. However, participants must arrange their own services for Hill Visits on Tuesday. Local Service Providers: Personal Assistant Services NCIL’s Personal Assistants will be available during Conference hours only. Use the information below to arrange your own personal assistant service during non-conference hours. ENDependence Center of Northern VA (CIL) - Arlington, VA Contact: Ruchika Lalwani, PAS Coordinator Phone: 703-525-3268 TTY: 703-525-3553 Email: ruchikal@ecnv.org Local Service Providers: Wheelchair and Scooter Rental and Repair The route of the NCIL March from the Grand Hyatt to the US Capitol is slightly less than one mile. Many Conference attendees rent power chairs or scooters and have them delivered to their hotel to ensure they can participate. ZASK Medical Supply - Alexandria, VA - Phone: 703-354-1266 - Email: info@zaskmedical.com ScootAround - Rentals only. Delivery available. - Web: www.scootaround.com - Phone: 1-888-441-7575 Express Mobility Services - Contact: Jabessa Daba (703-346-8796) - Website: expressmobilityservices.com   Scooterplus / Lenox Medical Supply Rentals only. Delivery available. - Web: www.lenoxmedicalsupply.com - Phone: 1-866 474-4356 or 202-387-1960 What to Bring Conference participants often brave blistering heat, massive thunderstorms, and even chilly workshop rooms, all to bring our message to Capitol Hill! Remember to bring along the following items to ensure your comfort and safety: - large plastic bags to cover any batteries or electric devices that might be exposed to rain during the March and Rally, and duct tape to secure them; - an umbrella to shield sun and rain; - attire appropriate for both very hot and chilly temperatures; and - any medications or assistive devices you may need during strenuous activity. Registration Register by Mail or Fax: Sign up in minutes at www.ncil.org! Online registrants do not need to complete a hard copy registration form. If you prefer to register by mail or fax, please use a separate form for each registrant. Onsite Registration: online registration closes Friday, July 14. Conference attendees who have not registered by July 14 must register onsite. Please note that onsite registration fees differ from standard registration fees and plan accordingly. - Full Conference NCIL Member Registration: $305 - Full Conference Non-Member Registration : $430 - Daily Rate: $210 / day Registration Policies: Full Conference Registration Fees are per person and include registration for all events and activities, including the Awards Luncheon, materials and workshops. If you have any questions, please contact NCIL at 877.525.3400 (voice), 202.207.0340 (TTY), or by email at conference@ncil.org. - Confirmations will be sent to each participant at the email address listed on the registration form. - Individuals must register for the Conference and pay in full before reserving a discounted room at the Grand Hyatt. - Registrant Replacement: If it becomes necessary for you to send someone in your place, please contact us as soon as possible. - Cancellation: Cancellation requests received by Friday, July 7, 2017 are refundable less a $50 processing fee. - Replacement and cancellation requests must be made in writing and sent to NCIL by fax (202.207.0341) or email (conference@ncil.org) by Friday, July 7, 2017. No refunds will be issued after that date. - Personal Assistant Registration: Personal Assistants are not required to pay the registration fee but should fill out a form to receive a badge. Personal Assistants are welcome to attend all Conference events, including scheduled meals and receptions. Personal Assistants may also register online at www.ncil.org. Look for the link to Register a Personal Assistant. - Youth Registration Rate: NCIL offers a reduced youth registration fee of $110 to all NCIL members that are 26-years-old or younger. We hope this special rate will allow young people to afford the Conference and organizations to sponsor young people to attend. Hotels & Lodging Grand Hyatt Washington We will return to the Grand Hyatt Washington, located at 1000 H St. NW, one block from the Metro Center subway station in downtown Washington, DC. The Grand Hyatt is the official Conference hotel and virtually all events will be held here. A block of rooms has been reserved for NCIL Conference attendees from July 22-29, 2017 at a special rate of $249 single / double occupancy (plus tax of 14.5%). Triple and quadruple occupancy is available at $274 and $299, respectively (plus tax). Regency Club rooms are available at a variable rate, based on availability. You must be registered for the Conference to qualify for the NCIL room block and the discounted room rate. To make your reservations online, use NCIL’s custom link at ncil.org/hotels or call the hotel at 800.233.1234 (voice / TTY). Be sure to identify yourself as a NCIL Conference attendee to receive the discounted rate. Reservations received after July 5, 2017 will be accepted on a space availability basis. Marriott Metro Center Overflow accessible rooms are available at the Marriott Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW, just one block from the Grand Hyatt. The rate is $225 per night (plus tax of 14.5%). Reservations must be made by July 5, 2017. To make your reservations online, use NCIL’s custom link at ncil.org/hotels or call the hotel at 202.737.2200. Be sure to identify yourself as a NCIL Conference attendee to receive the discounted rate.  Airports & Transportation Visit www.wmata.com to plan your trip using public transportation. All public buses, stations, and trains are accessible (when in operation). Visit ncil.org for further information on airports and transportation. - Super Shuttle: 800-BLUE-VAN - Battles Transportation: 202-462-8658 - Red Top Cab: 202-328-3333 Airports: - Reagan National Airport (DCA) - Baltimore / Washington International (BWI) - Dulles Airport (IAD) Conference Registration Form Logo - Revolution: A Global Independent Living Movement - Annual Conference on Independent Living 2017 Complete, save, and send this form to NCIL: Email: rie@ncil.org Mail: 2013 H Street NW / Sixth Floor Washington, D.C. 20006 Fax: (202) 207-0341 Instructions: 1. Complete the form 2. Save the form 3. Email the form to Rie@ncil.org Prefix and Name: Title: Organization: Address: City, State, Zip: Email: Phone: Fax: [ ] Check this box if you are a personal assistant to a registered attendee and are therefore not required to pay registration fees. I certify that I am providing personal assistance to: Heading: Full Conference Registration Early Bird Rate (must be postmarked by April 28, 2017): [ ] NCIL Member: $190 [ ] Youth Member: $110 (26 & Under) [ ] Non-member: $310 Standard Registration (postmarked after April 28, 2017): [ ] NCIL Member: $265 [ ] Youth Member: $110 (26 & Under) [ ] Non-member: $385 Subtotal: $ Heading: Daily Registration: Skip this section if you are registering for the full Conference [ ] Monday, July 24 [ ] Wednesday, July 26 [ ] Thursday, July 27 [ ] NCIL Member: $115 / day [ ] Non-member: $160 / day Subtotal: $ Heading: Payment Please charge my: [ ] Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] American Express [ ] Discover [ ] I'm sending a check Total amount: $ Name on Card: Card #: Expiration: CID / CIV: If paying by credit card, consider mailing or faxing this form; email does not provide encrypted delivery of your personal information. Please make checks payable to National Council on Independent Living (Federal Tax ID: 74-2291620). Heading: Auxiliary Aids Materials: [ ] Standard Print [ ] Large Print [ ] Braille [ ] Audio on USB [ ] Plain Text on USB [ ] Braille Program + Other Materials in Plain Text on USB Diet: [ ] Standard Fare [ ] Vegetarian [ ] Salt-Free [ ] Low Cholesterol [ ] Other: Accommodations: [ ] American Sign Language [ ] Personal Assistant [ ] Transcripts [ ] Contact Sign [ ] CART [ ] Other: [ ] Assistive Listening Device Image: NCIL Logo: National Council on Independent Living 2013 H Street NW / Sixth Floor Washington, D.C. 20006