NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

January 3, 2008

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the National Council on Disability (NCD), I would like to invite you to participate in NCD’s next quarterly meeting. The meeting will take place at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, 859 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning Monday, January 28, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, January 29 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, January 30 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. There will be time designated for public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and your input is appreciated. You can also provide us with your written comments by e-mail, fax, or mail.

Public comment sessions will be held Monday, January 28 from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. CST and on Tuesday, January 29 from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. CST. The toll-free call-in number is 888-810-3951, and the pass code is “NCD Council Meeting.” There will also be a reception at the hotel for all meeting participants, audience members, and people with disabilities from the community on Tuesday, January 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 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. We provide advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that: (A) guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and (B) empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
 
To carry out our purposes, we believe it is vital that NCD hears from disability communities around the country on what works and what does not for people with disabilities. Our agenda will include sessions on emergency preparedness, youth transition, healthcare, employment and other subjects of interest to the disability community. We are delighted to have the opportunity to visit New Orleans and learn firsthand about the experiences of people with disabilities from the region. Please save the date and do not miss this opportunity to meet NCD board members and staff and offer your comments during the public comment sessions.

For more information about this meeting, please contact NCD’s Director of Communications, 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