The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is proud to announce the appointment of Parker Glick (he/él) as its new Independent Living Training and Technical Assistance (IL T&TA) Coordinator. Bringing nearly two decades of dedicated experience within the disability community, Glick steps into this vital role with a deep-rooted commitment to advocacy, accessibility, and empowerment. His extensive background spans direct support, community leadership, and creative fields, positioning him to make an immediate and meaningful impact on the organization’s national training initiatives.
Throughout his nearly 20-year career in the disability sector, Glick has built a comprehensive portfolio of service and leadership. His professional journey has been defined by a hands-on approach to empowering individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate complex systems, achieve greater autonomy, and advocate for their rights. In addition to his direct work within the disability community, Glick brings valuable expertise in graphic design, a skill set that has often allowed him to enhance communication strategies, visual accessibility, and public outreach for community programs.
Glick’s leadership extends prominently into youth empowerment initiatives. He has played a key role in helping lead Youth Leadership Forum programs, mentoring the next generation of leaders with disabilities and equipping them with the advocacy tools, confidence, and networks necessary to succeed. His work with diverse youth and community programs underscores his dedication to fostering inclusive environments where young people with disabilities can see themselves as capable leaders and change-makers.
As he steps into the position of IL T&TA Coordinator, Glick expressed genuine enthusiasm for the journey ahead. He is eager to integrate his extensive field experience into NCIL’s training and technical assistance framework, collaborating with colleagues and community members alike. Glick looks forward to learning and growing alongside the broader Independent Living community, ensuring that the organization’s technical assistance programs continue to meet the evolving needs of centers for independent living and the individuals they serve across the country.
Beyond his professional credentials, Glick brings a vital intersectional perspective to his work as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. This personal identity heavily informs his professional philosophy and dedication to universal inclusion. Glick firmly believes that every individual deserves a genuine opportunity to be heard, valued, and fully included in the fabric of society. Equity and fairness remain central to his worldview, driving his insistence that services, programs, and public information must be genuinely open and accessible to all people without exception.
In his daily advocacy and professional engagements, Glick actively works to dismantle barriers that marginalize vulnerable populations. He places a strong emphasis on ensuring that individuals who are frequently left out of mainstream conversations are not only included but are given a meaningful seat at the table to take part in decisions that directly affect their lives. This commitment to self-determination and participatory decision-making aligns seamlessly with the core tenets of the Independent Living movement, which champions the principle that people with disabilities are the ultimate experts on their own lives and needs.
Outside of his professional commitments and advocacy work, Glick finds balance and joy in his personal life. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, taking pride in his roles as a dedicated husband and a devoted cat dad to two feline companions who frequently share his daily routine.
