Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

05/31/2026

Please join NACDD’s Disability Network for To***co Control and Cancer Prevention and APRIL in recognizing World No To***co Day.

World No To***co Day (TODAY, May 31) is a yearly celebration that informs the public of:
· The dangers of using to***co
· The business practices of to***co companies
· What the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight the to***co epidemic
· What people around the world can do to claim their right to well-being and support healthy living for future generations

2026 Theme: “Unmasking the appeal – countering ni****ne and to***co addiction.”

This years' campaign will expose how the to***co and ni****ne industry continues to reinvent and repackage its products to hook a new generation, particularly children and adolescents, while evading stronger to***co control measures worldwide.

Image Description: Graphic for World No To***co Day featuring diverse disabled community members outdoors with the message: “Let’s work together to ensure a to***co-free future is accessible to all.” Includes the Disability Network for To***co Control and Cancer Prevention logo and APRIL logo.

05/28/2026

Share Your Expertise at the 2026 APRIL Conference!

Call for Workshops for our 2026 Annual Conference is now officially open!!!

Deadline to Submit Workshops: July 10, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST

2026 APRIL Conference
Niagara Falls, NY
October 23-26th, 2026
“FALL into APRIL”
Facilitate Advocate Learn Lead

APRIL is excited to announce that the Call for Workshops for our 2026 Annual Conference is now officially open!

This year’s conference will take place October 23- 26, 2026 in Niagara Falls, NY at the Sheraton Niagara Falls. We are inviting passionate presenters, advocates, and leaders to submit workshop proposals that speak to the experiences, strategies, and innovations of the Independent Living Movement.

Whether you represent a Center for Independent Living, a Statewide Independent Living Council, a disability rights organization, or you are an individual with a disability with expertise to share - we want to hear from you!

Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape an engaging and empowering national conversation around independent living, disability justice, and community leadership.

Link to Submit Workshop Proposals: https://form.jotform.com/aprilinfo/2026-call-for-workshops

Information about conference registration, hotel booking details, and more to come.

If you have questions or need assistance with accessibility during the application process, feel free to reach out to Brigit Barstad at [email protected]

We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to Niagara Falls!!

Image Description: Now Accepting Workshop Proposals. 2026 APRIL Conference. Niagara Falls, NY. October 23-26, 2026. Workshop Proposals Accepted Through July 10, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST. APRIL logo included. Image background is the Niagara Falls aerial view.

05/21/2026

Philadelphia Area Research Study Opportunity: Participants Needed for a Study on Daily Health Behaviors & Wellness

Researchers are recruiting Philadelphia-area participants for the study:

“The Daily Relationship Between Personal, Interpersonal, and Environmental Factors & Metabolic Health Behaviors Among Individuals with SMI: An Ecological Momentary Approach.”

This study examines how daily experiences, relationships, and environments influence physical activity, healthy eating, and other health behaviors among individuals with serious mental illness who have or are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

Findings from this research will help inform the development of future community-based wellness interventions designed to support sustainable behavior change and improve health outcomes.

Participant Information:
- Individuals must live in the Philadelphia area
- Participants will complete brief study activities related to daily experiences and health behaviors
- Participants may receive up to a $75 honorarium based on study participation
- Interested individuals can complete a brief interest survey, and a research assistant will follow up with additional information.

To complete the interest survey, please follow this link: https://chpswtemple.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3VqMwrVHt0IQ91A

For more information, please email: [email protected]

Image Description: Research Participants Needed! The Temple University Collaborative is interested in how the things you do and the places you go affect your health. We are actively looking for individuals who are: between 18-75 years old; diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, a psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression; diagnosed with or at risk for Type 2 Diabetes; living with a BMI of 30 or more. Participants may be compensated up to %75! For more information contact us: phone - 215-707-8133. Email - [email protected].

05/19/2026

A research team at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work in Madison, WI is excited to announce a groundbreaking study on training for licensed clinicians in providing mental health care to autistic adults.

Participation Details: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6SdsM4FaFgLRPZY

Surveys: Complete 1 or 2 online surveys (about 15 mins each)

Eligibility:
Hold a professional degree
Practicing, licensed clinician in a mental health setting
Based in the U.S. - https://mailchi.mp/264273706cc9/april-weekly-membership-email-june-7-13892769

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

05/15/2026

Register Now! 2026 Policy and Practice Summit: Protecting Access to Rural Community Living for People with Disabilities

May 20, 1-3 pm MST

In this free virtual summit, RTC:Rural will explore the intersecting forces shaping the future of home health care. Drawing on data, research, & boots-on-the-ground experience, they’ll examine challenges such as inconsistent funding, barriers to rural delivery, & shifting labor protections, while highlighting strategies for growth and resilience. -

In this free virtual summit, RTC:Rural will explore the intersecting forces shaping the future of home health care. Drawing on data, research, and boots-on-the-ground experience, they’ll examine challenges such as inconsistent funding, barriers to rural delivery, and shifting labor protections, w...

05/13/2026

05/04/2026

Join the next Youth Coordinator Connect meeting hosted by APRIL on Tuesday, May 5 at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT.

This monthly space brings Youth Program Coordinators together to share experiences, exchange ideas, and problem-solve challenges in supporting youth with disabilities. Topics are shaped by participants, making each session relevant and collaborative.

ASL and captioning provided.

To learn more or get connected, contact Michael Beers at [email protected]

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-qoqjwjH9A3PV2dIJUJFHR1_uIbGz93 #/registration

Image Description: Polka dot background with illustration of people of various ages, races, and disabilities standing in a group. Text overtop: "YOUTH COORDINATORS CONNECT MEETING. May 5, 2026. 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern". APRIL logo in top left corner of the image.

04/30/2026

04/30/2026

Health at Home Challenge Informational Webinar on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET

Join an informational webinar on the ACL Health at Home Challenge [https://acl.gov/health-at-home-challenge]. This competition is designed to improve health, independence, and affordability of care for dually eligible and near-dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by scaling advanced community care networks, led by community care hubs that integrate health care and community care. The Health at Home Challenge will recognize and reward partnerships between health plans, health systems, and community-based organizations that support whole-person health for dually eligible and near-dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

During the webinar, participants will learn about the:
• Challenge background and phases
• Eligibility and submission requirements
• Phase 1 prize structure
• Key dates and next steps
Submit questions in advance via the registration form or by emailing [email protected] by Friday, May 1.

Recording and slides will be made available following the webinar.

Webinar Registration Link: https://lewin.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a9Nzr3F6Q9S_126bP6wyOQ #/registration

Image Description:
Health at Home Challenge. Partnering for Better Care, Right at Home. ACL Health at Home Challenge - Informational Webinar. Illustrated graphic above text shows a red circle with a white cross in the middle on either side of an illustrated blue house. The blue house has a white heart in the middle with an illustration of a yellow figure inside.