NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

June 18, 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 Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison Street, Seattle, Washington, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 14 and ending at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2008.  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, July 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. PDT and on Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. PDT.  The toll-free call-in number is 1-800-779-9513, 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, July 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., immediately following our session for the day.

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 Seattle and learn firsthand about the experiences of people with disabilities from the Pacific Northwest 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