2016 Annual Conference on Independent Living

Date/Time: July 25-28, 2016

Location: Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC

Call for Workshop Proposals

Submit a workshop proposal

NCIL’s Annual Conference on Independent Living draws individuals of all ages and disabilities from all 50 states. Last year’s Conference was our biggest ever, with over 1,500 people coming together in Washington, DC to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, to hear from the leaders of Generation ADA, and to advance justice and equality for people with disabilities. NCIL also set a new membership record 2015, with over a thousand members joining NCIL from every corner of the nation. In 2016, we will focus this unprecedented momentum into action. This year’s theme represents a call for unity among people with disabilities and our true allies. It is with great pride and certainty in the power of the Independent Living community that we present the 2016 Annual Conference on Independent Living: Solidarity – Everybody In.

We echo the words of Justin Dart:

“I call for solidarity among all who love justice, all who love life, to create a revolution that will empower every single human being to govern his or her life, to govern the society and to be fully productive of life quality for self and for all.”

Solidarity is essential to building and advancing the Independent Living Movement, and necessary for overcoming the challenges our community faces today.

We must unite to defeat the discrimination in policies and attitudes that led to the institutional bias, employment discrimination, and a lack of accessible housing and transportation – just to name a few of the barriers facing our community today.

We must embrace solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters with disabilities and prioritize the participation of people of color, youth, and other multiply-marginalized people with disabilities who remain severely under-represented in our Movement.

We must also continue our commitment to consumer control as we monitor and advocate for the successful implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in the spirit of the law as crafted by our advocates and allies.

We must support people with disabilities organizing for Independent Living around the world. We have a lot to share with and to learn from this global network of advocates.

It is with these goals in mind that the National Council on Independent Living seeks workshops for our 2016 Annual Conference in the following tracks:

• International Track: Workshops related to understanding and supporting international development of the Independent Living Movement.

• Intersectionality Track: Workshops by and for multiply-marginalized people with disabilities, as well as topics related to diversity, inclusion, and improving representation of all people with disabilities in the Movement.

• SILC Track: Workshops covering best practices and innovation in operations and programs of Statewide Independent Living Councils.

• Youth Track: Workshops related to youth leadership, outreach, and movement building.

• General Track: Workshops for staff, consumers, and other advocates in the Independent Living Movement that do not fit the other four categories. In addition to the priorities above, NCIL’s Annual Conference Committee encourages Conference workshops that seek to improve the skills and resources of staff to carry out CIL core services (including transition) and operate strong SILCs.

Please see NCIL’s Important Information for Presenters for further details before planning your proposal.

Deadline for Submission is Friday, January 15, 2016. No proposals will be accepted after 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Word and plain text proposal forms are available for those who are unable to complete the online form.