Sept. 29, 2026
WASHINGTON–The Members of the National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold an in-person Council meeting on Monday November 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
The meeting takes place at the Ability360 Conference Center, 5025 E. Washington St., Suite 200, Phoenix, Arizona 85034. It will also be livestreamed via Zoom for Government videoconference and NCD’s YouTube Channel for those not able to attend in person.
Register to attend either in-person or via Zoom on NCD’s Eventbrite page.
The November 9 meeting will focus on disability and accessibility in Tribal and rural communities, starting with welcome remarks and call to order; Tribal Land acknowledgment; local and Tribal welcomes and posting of colors. The Council will then provide opening remarks and introduce U.S. Access Board leadership in attendance before a panel discussion and presentation on NCD’s upcoming Incidents of Disabilities and Accessibility on Tribal Land report.
Following a break, an introduction to the day’s town hall begins, with topics including housing, employment, education, independent living, healthcare, and transportation, followed by a lunch break; and continuation of the town hall; closing remarks; and NCD meeting adjournment.
The town hall will prioritize in-person attendees, with remaining time available for comments via Zoom for Government. Additional information on specifics of the topics and pre-registration to provide comments is available on NCD’s public comment page at https://ncd.gov/public-comment.
For the November 10 business meeting, the Council will receive a panel presentation on Medicaid cuts and the future of community living, followed by Council questions and answers with the panelists, the Chairman’s report; Councilmember community report outs; and the Executive Committee report; before adjourning.
ASL Interpreters will be provided in-room and included during the live streamed meeting, and CART has been arranged for this meeting and will be embedded into the Zoom livestream as well as available via streamtext link.
Full information on the event and any updates can also be found on our Upcoming Events page.
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]]>Sept. 28, 2026
WASHINGTON–The National Council on Disability (NCD) has announced the planned quarterly Council meetings for fiscal year 2027.
The dates are: November 9-10, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona; February 4, 2027 (virtual); May 6-7, 2027 in Washington, D.C.; and August 5, 2027 (virtual).
All meetings will be streamed live via Zoom for Government.
NCD is an independent federal agency making recommendations to Congress, the President and federal agencies, state, local, tribal, and U.S. territory governments on disability policy.
Information on NCD meetings and events is available on our Upcoming Events page.
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]]>WASHINGTON– Forty years ago, the National Council on Disability published a report recommending to the President and Congress the creation of an Americans with Disabilities Act.
On this 36th anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law by President George H.W. Bush, the independent federal agency responsible for its initial draft is announcing that it is in the process of creating a framework for a disability middle class to offer federal policymakers.
The idea for the framework was brought to the Council by Acting Chairman Neil Romano during a June 11 special meeting.
NCD has a long history of recommending systems change to promote the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act across all aspects of life, inclusive of employment, health care, and transportation. Accordingly, NCD Council members fulsomely embraced Acting Chairman Romano’s proposal on June 11, which officially signaled the start of the agency endeavor.
At the upcoming Council meeting on August 19, Council members will take the next step in the framework’s formation by deliberating what policy changes are necessary to represent the pillars of the framework.
“While we will remain focused on protecting and advancing the ADA in the years to come, NCD wants to live up to its legacy by articulating to federal policy makers the blueprint to move more Americans with disabilities into the middle class and break down the policy barriers that have kept too many relegated to poverty,” said Acting Chairman Romano. “Disability is a natural part of the human experience and it shouldn’t mean a guaranteed lifetime of poverty–we can and must do better,” he continued. “A free society cannot long exist if a significant portion of the population is not allowed to pursue their dreams for themselves and those they love.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately one in four Americans with disabilities live below the poverty line, which is more than double the poverty rate of nondisabled Americans.
NCD’s 1986 report Toward Independence’ recommended an ADA and 1988 report ‘On the Threshold of Independence’ contained the original draft of the ADA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was first introduced as legislation in 1988 during the 100th Congress by U.S. Senators Lowell Weicker (Connecticut) and Tom Harkin (Iowa); and U.S. Reps. Tony Coelho (California) and Silvio Conte (Massachusetts). It was reintroduced and passed in the 101st Congress and signed by President Bush on July 26, 1990.
The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Sept. 25, 2008 and took effect on Jan. 1, 2009. The ADAAA made significant changes to the ADA’s definition of a disability, broadening the scope of coverage under both the ADA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Since the ADA became law, NCD has continued in its critical role of advising federal policymakers on needed improvements to a wide array of policies affecting Americans with disabilities nationwide, through government communication and reports, all of which are available on NCD.gov.
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]]>July 22, 2026
WASHINGTON–The National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold a townhall session Thursday in Washington, D.C. to receive input on the Council’s fiscal year 2027 priorities.
The session is 9-10:15 a.m. EDT at the Washington Grand Hyatt (Independence A), 1000 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001. The event is in conjunction with the 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living, so it will not be livestreamed.
NCD representatives will discuss upcoming policy projects and provide an opportunity to hear from disability community to inform our policy recommendations. Come learn about the latest topics NCD’s Councilmembers have selected as new research areas for 2027 and share your experiences and knowledge with NCD about those topics in a town hall format.
Topics include artificial intelligence, Medicaid portability of services across state lines, and assisted suicide, as well as NCD’s strategic plan.
NCD is an independent federal agency making disability policy recommendations to Congress, the President, and federal agencies.
ASL and CART will be provided.
]]>July 21, 2026
WASHINGTON–The Members of the National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold a virtual Council meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 12-2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
The event will be streamed live via Zoom for Government.
Registration is not required, but appreciated via NCD’s Eventbrite page.
NCD’s virtual quarterly meeting will include finance and governance reports; updates from the Council Members regarding engagements with the community; a presentation and vote on NCD’s disability curriculum project; a disability middle class framework presentation; and Council discussion on the middle class framework pillars before adjourning.
ASL Interpreters and CART has been arranged for this meeting and will be embedded into the Zoom platform as well as available via CART Streamtext.
If you require additional accommodations, please notify Stacey Brown by sending an email to sbrown@ncd.gov as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Due to last-minute confirmations or cancellations, NCD may substitute items without advance public notice.
Full information on the event and any updates can also be found on our Upcoming Events page.
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]]>July 9, 2026
WASHINGTON–The National Council on Disability (NCD) will take part in the 2026 National American Indian Disability Symposium July 16-17.
The free, two-day virtual gathering via Zoom runs 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. MST (Arizona Time) under the theme “Cultivating Care: The Three Sisters Approach to Disability in Native Country,” and focuses on community, kinship, and inclusion.
At noon on July 16, NCD representatives provide a brief history of NCD reports on American Indians and Alaska Natives, providing a brief synopsis of our 2003 report, 2003 and 2023 toolkits, and talk about the most recent research for the updated report to be released in November.
The event is hosted by the Native American Disability Law Center, Inter-Tribal Disability Advocacy Council, and University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
Register in advance at: https://arizona.zoom.us/meeting/register/0ClYDsyXTPSIeY15qSPfbA#/registration
Agenda and speaker biographies are available here.
ASL and CART will be provided.
NCD is an independent federal agency making disability policy recommendations to the President, Congress, federal agencies, State, tribal communities, and local governments.
Please contact event organizers via email at kimberly.yellowrobe@bannerhealth.com or agnesa@arizona.edu for for questions on the symposium.
]]>June 29, 2026
WASHINGTON–The National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold two townhall sessions July 3 in Austin, Texas to receive input on the Council’s fiscal year 2027 priorities.
The sessions are 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. CT. at the JW Marriot Austin (Salon B, Level 3), 110 E. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701.
NCD representatives will discuss upcoming policy projects and provide an opportunity to hear from disability community to inform our policy recommendations.
Topics include artificial intelligence, Medicaid portability of services across state lines, and assisted suicide, as well as NCD’s strategic plan.
NCD is an independent federal agency making disability policy recommendations to Congress, the President, and federal agencies.
ASL and CART will be provided.
]]>WASHINGTON–National Council on Disability Acting Chairman Neil Romano received the Judy Heumann Award during the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry’s 2026 One Voice Conference June 5–7 in Dallas, Texas.
Named in honor of the late Judy Heumann, widely recognized as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” the Judy Heumann Award recognizes exceptional leaders whose advocacy, vision, and service have advanced accessibility and opportunities for people with disabilities.
Mr. Romano was honored for his decades-long commitment to disability rights and employment policy. A member of the National Council on Disability since 2015, he currently serves as Acting Chairman and previously served as Chairman from 2018 to 2021 following his designation by President Donald Trump.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Romano has worked at the intersection of public policy, communications, and disability advocacy. In 2007, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy. As head of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Mr. Romano led national efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition, his work with the Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled helped advance employment opportunities and improve quality of life for workers with disabilities nationwide.
“Neil Romano’s career reflects an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities, removing barriers, and elevating the voices of people with disabilities,” said Dr. Vincent Siasoco, President of AADMD. “His leadership and advocacy exemplify the values that Judy Heumann championed throughout her life.”
The award was presented during AADMD’s annual One Voice Conference, a gathering of healthcare professionals, self-advocates, caregivers, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders dedicated to improving health and quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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]]>May 12, 2026
WASHINGTON—Last week the National Council on Disability sent a letter to U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (Kansas) and Chris Van Hollen (Maryland) commending their leadership on legislation pertaining to the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.
The letters were in response to the senators’ introduction of bills, including the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Tomorrow Act, ABLE MATCH, and the ABLE Direct Deposit Act.
“The principles of these bills align with NCD advisement to Congress regarding the significant financial barriers experienced by people with disabilities and ways to remove those barriers,” wrote NCD Acting Chairman Neil Romano.
NCD has supported ABLE through its history, being assigned in 2018 by the House Appropriations Committee to serve as federal interagency coordinator to increase the crossflow of information across federal, state and nongovernment agencies about the ABLE Act.
NCD held interagency meetings and helped educate federal agencies on ABLE, held public-facing communication campaigns to increase enrollment and hosted ABLE information sessions for the public in conjunction with quarterly Council meetings.
NCD has advised Congress for many years to increase the qualifying age limit, increase employed account holders’ annual contribution caps, and allow 529 educational savings accounts to transition to qualifying people with disabilities without penalty or taxes. NCD also recommended states and the IRS to implement and actively inform people with disabilities and their caregivers on ABLE accounts. Further, NCD has recommended Congress enable higher levels of savings; remove fees and penalties that discourage savings; allow higher employer-match contributions to ABLE accounts, and deferred compensation or donations to retirement plans by employers, and make 529-to-ABLE rollover provisions permanent. 3
“NCD is heartened to see the ongoing bipartisan support of ABLE, which demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the people with disabilities who the accounts both currently benefit and stand to benefit, whose economic futures can see far more stability and hope because of them,” wrote Romano.
NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising Congress, the President, and other federal agencies on disability policy to advance the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Read the letter at NCD.gov.
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]]>April 20, 2026
WASHINGTON–The Members of the National Council on Disability (NCD) will hold a virtual quarterly meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026, 12:30-3:00 p.m. EDT.
The event will be streamed live via Zoom for Government and NCD’s YouTube channel.
Registration is not required, but appreciated via NCD’s Eventbrite page.
This virtual quarterly meeting includes the Council’s annual time of Councilmembers making presentations on research proposals to one another for potential new projects the Council will undertake in FY27, followed by a vote to determine which will become NCD’s new policy priorities.
The meeting will also include report outs from the Acting Chairman, followed by the Councilmembers regarding engagements with the community since the last meeting; the Executive Committee; staff updates on policy, legislation, and media; and the current draft of the 2026 Progress Report.
ASL Interpreters and CART has been arranged for this meeting and will be embedded into the Zoom platform as well as available via streamtext link. The web link to access CART Streamtext: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=NCD.
If you require additional accommodations, please notify Stacey Brown by sending an email to sbrown@ncd.gov as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Due to last-minute confirmations or cancellations, NCD may substitute items without advance public notice.
Full information on the event and any updates can also be found on our Upcoming Events page.
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