NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

March 19, 2008

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

On behalf of the National Council on Disability (NCD), it is my pleasure to invite you to attend NCD’s next quarterly meeting, which will take place at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, beginning Monday, April 21, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. and ending Wednesday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. Times are designated for public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and your input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. You can also provide your written comments by e-mail, fax, or mail.

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, April 21 from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. EDT and on Tuesday, April 22 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. EDT. The toll-free call-in number is 888-455-9639, and the pass code is “NCD Meeting.” You are also invited to join us for a reception at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community on Tuesday, April 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following our session for the day. As an added bonus, there is also a separate release of NCD’s latest report, Keeping Track: National Disability Status and Program Performance Indicators on our Monday schedule beginning at 1 p.m.

NCD is an independent federal agency and is composed of 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

In carrying out our mission, we believe it is vital to hear from communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. Our agenda will include sessions on emergency preparedness, healthcare, employment, and several other subjects of interest to the disability community. We are delighted to have the opportunity to visit Arlington and learn firsthand about the experiences of people with disabilities from the mid-Atlantic region. This is an opportunity to meet NCD members and staff and offer your comments during the public comment sessions, and we hope you will attend and participate.

For more information, please contact NCD’s Director of External Affairs, Mark S. Quigley, at mquigley@ncd.gov or by telephone at 202-272-2004 (V), 202-272-2074 (TTY), and please visit our Web site at www.ncd.gov.

Sincerely,

John R. Vaughn
Chairperson