The National Council on Disability (NCD) was originally established as the National Council on the Handicapped under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Rehabilitation by Comprehensive Services and Disability Amendments Act of 1978. The Council later transferred to the Department of Education by the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, then became an independent agency in 1984 by PL 98-22, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984 and finally, had its name changed by PL 100-630, the Handicapped Programs technical Amendment Act of 1988 of November 7, 1988.
The Council is an independent federal agency and is composed of nine members -- four appointed by leadership in Congress and five appointed by the President. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies to advance policy that promotes the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- equality of opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and full participation in all aspects of society -- regardless of type or severity of disability.