Pre-Conference Webinars

Dates / times: to be determined

• Candidates Forum & Resolutions
• NCIL Policy Briefing
• Presenters Orientation
• Know Before You Go

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: Franklin

Multipurpose Room

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

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 (ADA). Following, Tony will join an intergenerational panel of disability justice advocates including Cliff Perez, a major disability advocate who was instrumental in the passing of the ADA, and the phenomenal Keri Gray, a beacon of social justice whose remarkable work has graced the pages of Teen Vogue, The New York Times, People Magazine, and Time Magazine.

Advocacy Updates

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 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.

Concurrent Workshops I

1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. / Location: Various

Concurrent Workshops II

2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. / Location: Various

Regional Caucuses (Regions 6-10)

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Location:

• Region 6: Independence DE
• Region 7: Lafayette / Farragut
• Region 8: Independence BC
• Region 9: Independence A
• Region 10: Independence FGHI

This is an opportunity for Regions 6-10 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.

Regional Caucuses (Regions 1-5)

5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Location:

• Region 1: Independence DE
• Region 2: Lafayette / Farragut
• Region 3: Independence A
• Region 4: Independence FGHI
• Region 5: Independence BC

This is an opportunity for Regions 1-5 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.

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

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

Concurrent Workshops III

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).

All Conference Event

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

More information coming soon.

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, live band, and fun-filled evening.

Wednesday, July 24

March to the Capitol: MARCH ON!

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.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 afternoon of Tuesday, July 25. Participants should assemble between 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will begin promptly at 10:45 a.m.

2024 Rally at the Capitol

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 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. Box lunches will be provided to conference registrants upon arrival.

Hill Visits

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

After the Rally, 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

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

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

Board Meeting

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