Pre-Conference Webinars

Candidates Forum

July 9, 2024

The Candidate’s Forum will provide an opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for NCIL’s Board of Directors. You can vote before or after the Candidates’ Forum. The event will be archived and shared with captioning and a transcript for those that are not able to join the live event. Note: only NCIL members may vote in elections.

• Candidates Forum Archive
• Candidates Forum Transcript
• Read more about NCIL Elections

Know Before You Go

July 17, 2024; 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern

• Know Before You Go Archive
• Know Before You Go Transcript

During this hour-long presentation, we will go over a variety of topics, including the Conference schedule, what to bring, major events, available accommodations, and more! There will also be a short question and answer portion so that you can get any final questions answered. 

Sunday, July 21

Registration Open

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

Board Meeting

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: Farragut + Lafayette

Monday, July 22

Registration & Exhibits Open

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space

8:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Location: McPherson

Multipurpose Room / Dialogue Zone

8:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Location: Washington Board Room

Opening Plenary

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. / Location: Independence A

Brace yourselves for an opening speech by the awe-inspiring Tony Coelho, the visionary architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tony will join an intergenerational panel of disability justice advocates including Cliff Perez; Keri Gray; and Jim Ward.

Advocacy Updates

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. / Location: Independence A

Get up-to-date information on the progress of NCIL’s advocacy efforts from Chairs of NCIL’s Legislative & Advocacy Subcommittees. The Chairs will review and answer questions about NCIL’s policy priorities so participants are fully prepared for their Congressional visits.

Regional Caucuses

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. / Location: Independence A

This is an opportunity for attendees to meet with their Regional Representatives and strategize for their Capitol Hill Visits. Each state decides who will attend which meeting to ensure that every legislator is visited. A list of Regions by state is available at ncil.org/regions.

March to the Capitol: MARCH ON!

2:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Location: G + 11th Streets NW

NCIL members march from the Grand Hyatt to Capitol Hill demonstrating support for the independence of people with disabilities! Complimentary Do-It-Yourself Sign Kits will be available on the conference floor the morning of Monday, July 22. Participants should assemble between 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.

2024 Rally at the Capitol

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: U.S. Capitol

Marchers will converge in front of the Capitol Building for an empowering Rally featuring a number of speakers, including leaders in the Independent Living Movement and elected officials working on the issues we care about most. Snacks will be provided to conference registrants upon arrival.

Tuesday, July 23

Registration & Exhibits Open

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space

8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. / Location: McPherson

Multipurpose Room / Dialogue Zone

8:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Location: Washington Board Room

Concurrent Workshops I

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. / Location: Various

Exhibit Fair & Sponsored Coffee Break

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

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 Monday and Tuesday.

Awards Luncheon

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Ballroom

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

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Ballroom

Attend the Annual Council Meeting to hear the results of the elections for Governing Board members. This year, elections were held prior to the conference for: Vice President; Secretary; Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Chair; three Member At-Large positions; Youth At-Large; and Representatives of Regions II, IV, VI, VIII, X (2, 4, 6, 8 & 10).

D, E, A, & I: What do they mean and how are they seen?

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Ballroom

Join us on Tuesday afternoon to learn, discuss under-represented communities in the Independent Living Movement, and talk to each other about our views of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. This session will start off with a panel discussion featuring IL leaders within under-represented communities. Following, we will break into smaller groups and key in on topics related to each letter of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion). It will be a great opportunity to learn about different views from leaders of the community, and your own IL peer network!

Headshots

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

** Registration for this event is now closed due to extremely high demand **

If you missed your opportunity to reserve a headshot, visit the red carpet in Independence Foyer starting at 9:00 p.m. NCIL will have professional lighting and a volunteer ready to snap photos of individuals and groups.

NCIL Reception

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Ballroom

Join NCIL Staff, Board Members, and fellow attendees for this first hour of networking, food, and drinks. Light snack and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, accompanied by a cash bar.

NCIL@Nite

9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Ballroom

Let’s get the celebration started of Independent Living and the NCIL Conference! Right after the NCIL Reception, the dance floor will open up and everyone will have a chance to party like it’s 1999. Join us for an exciting atmosphere and fun-filled evening.

Wednesday, July 24

Concurrent Workshops II

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. / Location: Various

Concurrent Workshops III

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. / Location: Various

Hill Visits

12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location: U.S. Capitol

NCIL members are strongly encouraged to go and meet with their elected officials (or set up virtual meetings where necessary) to discuss pressing legislation impacting people with disabilities and Independent Living nationwide.

These meetings must be arranged in advance. Senators and Representatives set their own policies about whether they are meeting with constituents in-person or virtually. The public spaces within the Grand Hyatt can be utilized for in-person meetings with elected officials and their staff for those needing a meeting space outside of the Capitol.

When scheduling meetings, ask about any COVID protocol or practices that are required so that you can be prepared.

Congressional contact information is available at house.gov and senate.gov, or you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or 202-224-3091 (TTY) and ask for your Senators’ and / or Representative’s office. Participants must arrange their own accommodations, including interpreters, for Hill Visits ahead of time. Direct requests for interpreters and other accommodations to Congressional staff. Contact angela@ncil.org with any questions.

Thursday, July 25

Registration Open

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Location: Independence Foyer

Sensory Retreat / Quiet Space

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. / Location: McPherson

Multipurpose Room / Dialogue Zone

8:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Location: Washington Board Room

Concurrent Workshops IV

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. / Location: Various

Concurrent Workshops V

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. / Location: Various

Closing Plenary

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Location: Independence A

Wrap up a fantastic week of learning, advocating, and networking at NCIL’s Closing Plenary! This year, our Closing Plenary keynote speaker will be Alison Barkoff, who leads the federal Administration for Community Living within the Department of Health and Human Services. Lead on!

Board Meeting

2:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. / Location: Lafayette + Farragut