Council Members
The members and leadership of the National Council on Disability that lead agency priorities, policy trends, and other agency business. NCD Council Members are appointed to represent people with disabilities, national organizations concerned with disabilities, providers and administrators of services to people with disabilities, people engaged in conducting medical or scientific research related to disabilities, business concerns, and labor organizations. By statute, a majority of NCD Council Members are to be people with disabilities.
Neil Romano
Acting Chairman
Orlando, Florida
Neil Romano has been a member of the National Council on Disability for over 10 years and is currently NCD’s Acting Chairman. He was previously designated by President Trump to...
Hoskie Benally Jr.
Council Member
Shiprock, New Mexico
Hoskie Benally Jr., is a Member of the Navajo Nation and is Legally Blind. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison...
Sascha Bittner
Council Member
San Francisco, California
Sascha Bittner, who is quadriplegic with a speech disability as a result of cerebral palsy, is a lifelong community activist, with a particular focus on disability and domestic workers’ rights....
Theo W. Braddy
Council Member
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Theo W. Braddy has advocated on behalf of people with disabilities for over 40 years. At the age of 15, he became a person with a disability due to a high...
Brian Patchett
Council Member
Bossier City, Louisiana
Brian Patchett is president & CEO of Louisiana Association for the Blind. He has been a leader in the field of health and social services for over 25 years, building...
Kimberly Hill Ridley
Council Member
Latham, New York
Kimberly Hill Ridley has served as New York State’s first-ever Chief Disability Officer (CDO) since being appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul in February 2022. Kim has been charged with advising...
Risa Jaz Rifkind
Council Member
Las Vegas, Nevada
Risa Jaz Rifkind is a justice advocate who seeks to make change by shifting access to power and influence. As the Director of Civic Engagement and Marketing for Disability Lead, she...