John A. Lancaster previously served as the Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), which is the oldest disability grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. NCIL advances the independent living philosophy and advocates for the full integration and participation of people with disabilities in society.
Since 1974, he has worked as a civil rights attorney working on issues related to the integration and empowerment of people with disabilities. He has served in government from 1981-1987 for Governor Harry Hughes of Maryland as the Director of the Office for Individuals with Disabilities and again from 1991-2000 with the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. From 1995-2000, he distinguished himself in the Clinton Administration in the formulation of disability employment policy as the President’s Committee’s Executive Director.
