The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Amputee Coalition, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation stand together to call on Congress to fully preserve and fund the vital federal programs that promote independence, belonging and full participation for people with disabilities in every community across the country.

These programs include:

• Independent Living Program
• The University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
• Projects of National Significance
• Limb Loss Resource Center
• Paralysis Resource Center
• Developmental Disabilities Councils
• Protection & Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA)
• Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and Client Assistance Program

1 out of every 4 Americans in the United States has a disability. Each of these programs plays a distinct and essential role in the disability services ecosystem. Together, they equip disabled people with the tools and resources to live, learn, work, vote, and thrive in their communities. Whether through direct support services, peer to peer support and leadership building, access to information, civil rights protection, research and innovation, these initiatives are not duplicative—they all play a distinct role in advancing freedom and independence for Americans with disabilities. 

What’s at Stake

The Administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal threatens the future of these programs through restructuring, reductions, and potential eliminations. Instead of investing in the full range of supports that people with disabilities rely on, the proposal pits vital programs against each other by consolidating funding and eliminating distinctions in mission and purpose. This is a disservice for the Americans with Disabilities and their families who utilize these services and it would negatively impact the economy by increasing dependence on costly institutional care, stripping freedom from disabled people and separating families. 

Our Message to Congress

We are united in our call: Congress must fully preserve and fund ALL of these programs as they currently exist.

We urge Members of Congress to:

✅ Increase, not decrease, funding for programs that serve people with disabilities across the lifespan

✅ Reject proposals that eliminate, restructure, or block grant disability programs

✅ Recognize the unique and indispensable value of each of these programs and ensure their continued operation

We need your voice. Take action now and contact your Members of Congress today. Tell them you support the Independent Living Program, University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Projects of National Significance, the Limb Loss Resource Center, Paralysis Resource Center, Developmental Disabilities Councils, Protection & Advocacy for Voting Accessibility (PAVA), and Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and Client Assistance Program, and that these programs must be preserved and fully funded, not restructured or sacrificed.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are louder. Together, we will protect the programs that advance independence, freedom, belonging, and civil rights for all people with disabilities.