The National Council on Disability (NCD), Washington, will hold its next quarterly meeting in January 2010 in Houston.

The agenda will include, among other things, presentations by the Honorable Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, and Lex Frieden, professor of health informatics and professor of rehabilitation, University of Texas at Houston; presentations on emergency preparedness and youth with disabilities in transition; and two releases of NCD research projects: Workforce Infrastructure in Support of People with Disabilities and The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective.

The event is planned from 8:30 am on January 19 to 11 am on January 21, at the JW Marriott Houston, 5150 Westheimer. It is open to the public.

Specific times are designated to receive public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line. Individuals or organizations can also provide written comments by e-mail, fax, or mail. A public comment session will be held on January 20, from 11:30 am to noon, CST. The toll-free call-in number is (888) 790-6568, and the pass code is “NCD Meeting.” Written comments on disability related issues of concern or interest can also be emailed to [email protected] at any time.

A reception will be held at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community on January 20 from noon to 1:30 pm. Additional details about the meeting will be posted on the NCD Web site as soon as they become available. The meeting agenda will be posted there approximately 10 days before the meeting is scheduled, and written comments for Council consideration can be submitted at any time by writing to [email protected].

NCD aims to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities, and that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

The Council gathers public and stakeholder input, including information received at public meetings held nationwide; reviews and evaluates federal programs and legislation; and provides the President, Congress, and federal agencies with advice and recommendations. NCD is an independent federal agency, composed of 15 members appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate.

[Source: NCD]