In 1978, upon the amending of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the National Council on Disability (NCD) was established as an advisory board within the Department of Education. The President was charged with selecting its 15 members, after soliciting recommendations from parties and organizations representing a broad range of individuals with disabilities, and organizations interested in people with disabilities, with all NCD members to either be people with disabilities, parents or guardians of disabled people, or others who have substantial knowledge or experience relating to disability policy or programs. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984 (pdf) transformed the NCD into an independent federal agency, and further changes were made in its statutory mandates by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 and 1998, as well as the Education of the Deaf Act Technical Amendments of 1993.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) analyzes and makes recommendations on issues of public policy that affect people with disabilities, advocating programs and practices that provide equal opportunities for everyone who is disabled, and helping facilitate independent living, community integration, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

According to the NCD, its responsibilities include:

• Make proposals, such as its Towards Independence report (pdf) in 1986, which suggested that Congress enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. This led to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
• Advise the President, Congress, and other federal agencies on the development of disability programs and potentially more effective ways to achieve the desired opportunities and results for the disabled. 
• Identify the evolving needs of people with disabilities by conducting hearings, forums, and conferences around the country, to listen to concerns and solicit suggestions.
• Work to see that educational and employment opportunities for those with disabilities are continually expanded.
• Educate the public on disability issues by publishing and distributing an NCD newsletter; providing copies of policy briefs and reports on the NCD web site; creating media outreach opportunities; and responding to telephone calls, emails, and letters.
• Review and evaluate, on a continuing basis, policies, programs, practices, and procedures concerning individuals with disabilities conducted or assisted by Federal departments and agencies, to help promote effective delivery of federal services to people with disabilities, particularly unserved and underserved populations, such as those in rural areas.
• Continue to address the Congressional mandate requiring NCD coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on key homeland security subjects, including helping FEMA devise the most effective, viable guidelines and plans of action regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in the event of emergency situations like a natural disaster or act of terror.
• Operate Advisory Committees which focus on disability issues affecting those from diverse cultural backgrounds, individuals with disabilities worldwide, and young disabled people.
• Increase access for the disabled to assistive and universally designed technologies, in areas like voting systems and airline self-service kiosk set-ups.

From the Web Site of the NCD:

Frequently Asked Questions

Meetings and Events

Progress Reports

Publications

NCD Newsletter Subscription

Resources

 Newsroom

The National Council on Disability (NCD) Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Justification reported the following projected agency expenditures:

Salaries and Benefits                                                                                       $1,865,971

Contracts                                                                                                           $799,529

Rent                                                                                                                   $349,500

Travel                                                                                                                 $290,000

Communications                                                                                                  $50,000

Equipment                                                                                                           $25,000

Printing                                                                                                                $20,000

Supplies                                                                                                               $20,000

First Openly Autistic White House Appointee

When President Barack Obama nominated Ari Ne’eman to the National Council on Disability, he set off a firestorm of criticism from advocates.

Ne’eman, the first council member with autism, has been a lightning rod because of his views on the condition. He believes the government and society need to stop trying to “fix” autistic people or make them “normal.” He also says more money should be spent on improving support for autistic people, instead of finding a cure for the condition.

He has been outspoken about autism since he was in high school. He was only a teenager when he founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

Stop Trying To ‘Fix’ Autistic People and Concentrate on Inclusion (by Mary O’Hara, The Guardian)

Exclusive: First Autistic Presidential Appointee Speaks Out (by Steve Silberman, Wired)

White House Appointee Ari Ne’eman on the Power of Autistic Community (by Steve Silberman, NeuroTribes)

Lex Frieden, 2002-2006