Kelly Buckland, MS

Washington, DC

Immediate Past Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living
Representing: Patients, Caregivers, and Patient Advocates
Term Ends August 2024

Kelly Buckland is a person with a disability who has been actively involved in disability issues since 1979. Buckland started his career as an employee for Idaho’s Protection and Advocacy system and served for more than 20 years as the Executive Director of the Boise Centers for Independent Living, Living Independence Network Corp., and the Idaho State Independent Living Council. Buckland has served on the Idaho Developmental Disabilities Council, the State Employment and Training Council, and the State Help America Vote Act Steering Committee.

In 1978, Buckland graduated from Boise State University with a BA in Social Work and in 1988 Summa Cum Laude from Drake University with a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. In recent years, Buckland has been honored with numerous state and national awards, including the University of Idaho President’s Medallion, the United Vision for Idaho Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hewlett-Packard Distinguished Achievement in Human Rights Award, and induction into the National Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame.

Additionally, Buckland has a long history with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). He has served on numerous NCIL Legislative and Advocacy Subcommittees and other standing NCIL committees, NCIL Governing Board since 1998, as NCIL Vice President from 2001-2005, and as NCIL President from 2005 to 2009. Buckland  recently retired from his position as Executive Director of NCIL  and is now serving as a Disability Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary on Policy at the US Department of Transportation.