Arkansas State Independent Living Council-ARSILC

09/01/2026

The Arkansas State Independent Living Council (ARSILC) Fiscal Year-End Board Meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

📍 10 Corporate Hill Drive, Suite 240, Little Rock, AR 72205
💻 A virtual participation option is available
🍴 Lunch will be served—RSVP is required!
🎤 Featuring guest speaker Ms. Anita Boone

Your participation matters! Join us as we reflect, celebrate, and plan ahead while helping shape the future of independent living in Arkansas.

🔗 RSVP by Friday, September 12th: https://forms.gle/9g3MWz76wK

📞 Questions? Contact Dr. FranSha Anderson, CEO/Executive Director, at 501-372-0607.

Promoting Independence. Empowering Lives. Nothing About Us Without Us!

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

08/31/2026

DCFS Launches Statewide Hiring Campaign to Recruit Child Welfare Professionals

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is launching a new statewide hiring campaign to recruit qualified professionals for critical child welfare positions. The campaign aims to fill essential vacancies throughout the state that further DCFS’ mission to protect children and strengthen families.

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is launching a new statewide hiring campaign to recruit qualified professionals for critical child welfare positions. The campaign aims to fill essential vacancies throughout the state tha...

08/30/2026

APRIL Youth now has a Discord server!

Discord is a free online platform where people can connect through organized text and voice channels. It offers a space to ask questions, share resources, participate in discussions, and stay connected between meetings and events.

The APRIL Youth Discord server was created to help youth and young adults:

• Connect with peers from across the country
• Continue conversations outside of monthly meetings
• Learn about leadership and advocacy opportunities
• Receive updates about the Blooming Collaborative, Youth Steering Committee, and other APRIL Youth programs
• Participate in discussions and peer support

Joining is free. You only need a Discord account and the APRIL Youth invitation link. New members will complete a short onboarding process with screening questions to help keep the community focused on APRIL Youth participants and people interested in the Independent Living movement.

Join the APRIL Youth Discord server:
https://discord.gg/RAQWqhTfT

Image Description: Blue background color with white text that reads "APRIL Youth Discord Server. Connect with youth and young adults from across the country. APRIL logo below and discord logo above.

08/30/2026

Did you know that Dolly Parton's Imagination Library did more than just provide books to kids? Anyone who registers their child to be a recipient of DPIL will receive a developmentally appropriate book each month. To make it even better, DPIL has partnered with the American Printing House for the Blind since 2011 to make books accessible for kids with visual impairments through braille and audiobooks.

The world will mourn Dolly for a long time, but the disability community celebrates her. Dolly, thank you for making literacy and education more accessible for children with disabilities, especially those who live in rural areas. Your work will never cease!

08/30/2026

Planning a community event, festival, resource fair, or gathering? Invite Disability Rights Arkansas!

We’re available to join events across Arkansas to connect with community members, share resources, answer questions, and help people better understand their rights.

Whether you’re hosting a festival, health fair, school event, community day, or something in between — we’d love to be part of it! Our team can provide information about disability rights, advocacy, accessibility, and the services available through DRA.

If you’re planning an event and want DRA there, reach out to us at [email protected] — we’re always looking for opportunities to meet Arkansans where they are and be a resource in the communities we serve!

08/30/2026

September is a BIG month for us!

Stay tuned and come out to support 💙

https://www.arkansasautismfoundation.org

08/30/2026

Interacting respectfully with people who have disabilities via nPOnline

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Guidelines for interacting respectfully with people who have disabilities, including language preferences, invisible disabilities and digital accessibility.

08/30/2026

August is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Awareness Month

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare and serious reaction that can be triggered by certain medications or, in some cases, infections. Raising awareness can help people recognize the warning signs and understand the importance of seeking medical attention quickly.

Symptoms may begin with flu-like symptoms and fever, followed by painful skin, blistering, or peeling. SJS can also cause serious involvement of the eyes and other mucous membranes.

🚨 Know the signs. Seek medical attention immediately if SJS is suspected.

This month, let’s raise awareness, share reliable information, and support those affected by this serious condition. 💜

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stevens-johnson-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20355936

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Learn more about the causes of this rare disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, its early signs, and whether it's preventable.

08/29/2026

Mainstream Center for Independent Living

For nearly four decades, Mainstream Center for Independent Living has supported people with disabilities in Central Arkansas through advocacy, peer support, and consumer-directed services.

Founded in 1987, Mainstream is a consumer-driven Independent Living Resource Center built on the belief that people with disabilities have the right to make their own choices, direct their lives, and fully participate in their communities.

Mainstream is committed to:
♿ Promoting independent living and community integration
🤝 Providing advocacy and peer support
⚖️ Advancing equality, justice, and inclusion
💙 Empowering people to direct their own lives
🌎 Building stronger community partnerships

At the heart of this work is self-determination—supporting each person in setting their own goals and creating an individualized plan based on their priorities and aspirations.

👉 Learn more about Mainstream: www.mainstream

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Mainstream is a non-profit, non-residential, consumer-driven Independent Living Resource Center for people with disabilities in central Arkansas. Consumers of Mainstream set their own goals and take the lead in developing plans to meet those goals and objectives. Mainstream, which has been in existe...

08/27/2026

ACTS Jr. (Acting Creates Therapeutic Success) is a Arkansas program that brings children and youth ages 6–21, with and without disabilities, together through the performing arts. The program focuses on building skills, confidence, teamwork, creativity, and independence in an inclusive environment.

Participants have opportunities to:
🎬 Explore the performing arts
🤝 Build social skills and teamwork
💙 Develop self-confidence
🧠 Strengthen motor planning and cognitive skills
🌟 Experience success, growth, and independence

The program meets in Conway, Little Rock, and Russellville during fall 2026, with performances at the end of each session.

👉 Learn more and register:

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

ACTS Jr. allows children to work on socialization, communication, and team work while exploring their creative abilities. After participating in numerous weekly practices, the children will have the opportunity to showcase all they've learned in a final stage performance.