NCD Bulletin
A Monthly Publication of the National Council on Disability (NCD)

John R. Vaughn, Chairperson
March 2008

NCD Celebrating 30 Years of Empowerment: 1978–2008

The Bulletin, which is free of charge and available at NCD’s award-winning Web site (www.ncd.gov), brings you the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. To subscribe to the NCD listserv, go to http://listserv.access.gpo.gov, click on Online mailing list archives, select NCD-NEWS-L, click on Join or leave the list, then complete the short subscription form. Please send your editorial comments to Bulletin editor Mark S. Quigley (mquigley@ncd.gov).

President Bush Announces NCD Nominees

On March 20, President George W. Bush announced his intention to renominate five current NCD members and nominate six new members. The renominees are: John R. Vaughn, of Florida, and upon appointment redesignate as chairperson; Victoria Ray Carlson, of Illinois; Chad Colley, of Florida; Lisa Mattheiss, of Tennessee; and Ann Rader, of Virginia. The new nominees are: Kristen Cox, of Utah; Marvin G. Fifield, of Utah; John H. Hager, of Virginia; Katherine O. McCary, of Virginia; Renee L. Tyree, of Arizona; and Tony J. Williams, of Washington.

NCD to Release Disability Data Report

On April 21, NCD’s latest report, Keeping Track: National Disability Status and Program Performance Indicators, will be released at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

This report is the result of a year-long effort by NCD to identify valid federal data and to describe the status of the U.S. population of Americans with disabilities. During the past 30 years, advocates, policymakers, and a variety of public and private organizations have undertaken significant efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities, culminating in the passage or improvement of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, various sections of the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, and others.

The report includes 18 indicators determined by stakeholders to measure “quality of life” using both objective and subjective measures. It also lays out a roadmap for the Federal Government to expand the national disability indicator set, as well as a mechanism for installing the set into a key national indicator system.

NCD Releases Mental Health Paper

On March 17, 2008, NCD released Inclusive Livable Communities for People with Psychiatric Disabilities (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/LivableCommunities.html), calling on Congress and the Administration to fully include and integrate people with psychiatric disabilities into America’s livable communities.

For the promise of full integration into the community to become a reality, people with disabilities need safe and affordable housing; access to transportation; access to the political process; and the right to enjoy whatever services, programs, and activities are offered to all members of the community by both public and private entities. This paper focuses specifically on expanding the livable communities framework and elements to people with psychiatric disabilities and supports full inclusion that excludes no one.

NCD Activities

On April 21, NCD will participate in a panel discussion on accessible technology at the Joint International Telecommunication Union and Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies Forum 2008: “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities for Information and ICT Standards.” The forum will be held in Geneva, Switzerland.

See NCD’s previous G3ict presentation on accessible information at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/testimony/2007/gould_remarks_03-26-07.htm

Quarterly Meetings

NCD will conduct its next quarterly meeting at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, beginning Monday, April 21, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. and ending Wednesday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m.

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, April 21 from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. EDT and on Tuesday, April 22 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. EDT. The toll-free call-in number to provide public comment is 888-455-9639, and the pass code is “NCD Meeting.” A reception will be held at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community on Tuesday, April 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following our session for the day.

Preparations are also under way for NCD’s summer and fall quarterly meetings, which will be held July 14–16, 2008, in Seattle, WA, and October 6–8, 2008, in Kansas City, MO.

These meetings are open to the public and free of charge. People with disabilities are encouraged to attend and participate in the daily public comment segments of the meetings. The agendas will be posted at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/quarterly/quarterly.htm prior to each meeting.

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Mark S. Quigley
Director of External Affairs
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
202-272-2008
202-272-2022 fax
www.ncd.gov