NCD #08–564
September 30, 2008
Contact: Mark S. Quigley
202-272-2004

National Council on Disability to Hear from Regional and Government Leaders on Issues Affecting People with Disabilities at Kansas City Meeting

WASHINGTON—The National Council on Disability (NCD) will conduct its next quarterly meeting at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 2345 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 6 and ending at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. This meeting is open to the public.

The purpose of this meeting is for NCD to have open discussions about issues such as emergency preparedness, healthcare, employment, housing, regional issues impacting the disability community, assistive technology, and other important subjects.

Some of the notable regional speakers include: The Honorable Scott Raecker, Director, Character Counts and Member, Iowa General Assembly; Glen White, Ph.D., Director, Nobody Left Behind Project, Kansas University, Lawrence, KS; Charles Duddy, Emergency Preparedness Director, Gladstone, MO; Karen Benson, Patient Assistance Coordinator, Missouri Rehabilitation Center, Mount Vernon, MO; Diane Golden, Executive Director, Missouri Assistive Technology Project; Tec Chapman, Executive Director, Missouri Division of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities; and Susan Crain Lewis; President and CEO, Mental Health America of the Heartlands.

In addition, representatives of the Social Security Administration will also address NCD. They are Richard Balkus, Associate Commissioner, Office of Program Development and Research, and Sue Sutter, Associate Commissioner, Office of Employment Support Programs.

Times are designated for public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and public input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Written comments can also be provided by e-mail (ncd@ncd.gov), fax (202-272-2022), or mail (NCD, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20004). The agenda is posted at www.ncd.gov.

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, October 6 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Central Time and on Tuesday, October 7 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The toll-free call-in number is 1-800-475-4948, 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, October 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following the meeting.

NCD is an independent federal agency and is composed of 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

For more information, please contact NCD’s Director of External Affairs, Mark S. Quigley, at mquigley@ncd.gov or by telephone at 202-272-2004 (V), 202-272-2074 (TTY), and please visit our Web site at www.ncd.gov.

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