National Council on Disability

National Council on Disability. The National Council on Disability was established in 1984 as an independent federal agency with the purpose of advising the President of the United States, Congress of the United States, and other federal agencies on disability policies, working closely with organizations such as the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Organization on Disability, and American Association of People with Disabilities. The council's work is informed by the experiences of individuals with disabilities, including those involved with the Paralympic Games, Special Olympics, and Disability Pride Parade. The council's establishment was a result of efforts by disability rights advocates, including Justin Dart Jr., Judy Heumann, and Frank Lanterman, who played key roles in the development of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

● History

The National Council on Disability has its roots in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which mandated the creation of a council to advise the President of the United States and Congress of the United States on disability issues, with input from organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind, National Association of the Deaf, and United Spinal Association. The council was formally established in 1984, with its first members appointed by President Ronald Reagan, who also appointed Justin Dart Jr. as the council's first chair, and worked closely with other disability advocates, including Robert Dole, Tom Harkin, and Tony Coelho. Since its inception, the council has worked to promote the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, collaborating with organizations such as the World Institute on Disability, Disability Rights International, and the United Nations to advance the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

● Membership

The National Council on Disability is composed of 15 members, who are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate, with input from organizations such as the National Council on Independent Living, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. Members of the council include individuals with disabilities, family members of individuals with disabilities, and professionals with expertise in disability issues, such as Lex Frieden, Patricia Wright, and Andrew Imparato, who have worked with organizations such as the Independent Living Research Utilization, National Disability Rights Network, and the American Bar Association. The council's membership also reflects the diversity of the disability community, with representatives from organizations such as the National Black Disability Coalition, Disability and Faith Communities, and the National Hispanic Council on Aging.

● Responsibilities

The National Council on Disability has a range of responsibilities, including advising the President of the United States and Congress of the United States on disability policies, working closely with organizations such as the Office of Disability Employment Policy, Administration for Community Living, and the Social Security Administration. The council also conducts research and analysis on disability issues, collaborating with organizations such as the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, the council works to promote the inclusion and accessibility of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of society, including education, employment, and healthcare, with support from organizations such as the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Job Accommodation Network, and the American Medical Association.

● Initiatives

The National Council on Disability has launched several initiatives to promote the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, including the National Disability Employment Initiative, which aims to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and the Disability and Education Initiative, which seeks to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities, with support from organizations such as the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools, National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and the U.S. Department of Education. The council has also worked to promote accessibility and inclusion in the areas of transportation, housing, and healthcare, collaborating with organizations such as the Federal Transit Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

● Reports and Publications

The National Council on Disability produces a range of reports and publications on disability issues, including the National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, which provides an annual assessment of the nation's progress in implementing disability policies, and the Disability and Education Report, which examines the educational experiences of students with disabilities, with input from organizations such as the National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The council's reports and publications are widely respected and influential, and are used by policymakers, advocates, and individuals with disabilities to inform their work and advance the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, with support from organizations such as the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, National Organization on Disability, and the American Association of People with Disabilities. Category:Disability organizations