Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living

10/09/2026

📜 40 YEARS OF ADVOCACY | 1993
In 1993, people with disabilities and their advocates came together to make their voices heard.
When North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer proposed cuts to Medicaid reimbursements, the disability community recognized the serious consequences. The cuts threatened to make it harder for people with disabilities to remain living independently in their own communities—and could have resulted in more people being forced into nursing homes and institutions.
More than 200 people traveled to the North Dakota State Capitol to stand together and speak out against the proposed cuts. 🚗💪
A motorcade of 30 vehicles, escorted by police, made its way to the Capitol, sending a powerful message: people with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live independently, make their own choices, and remain a part of their communities.
Jay Johnson spoke about the impact the proposed cuts could have, warning that they would take away people's independence and potentially lead to increased institutionalization.
❤️ This is what advocacy looks like.
For 40 years, Options has been part of the movement to ensure that people with disabilities have a voice, choices, and the opportunity to live independently in the community.
40 years later, we’re still advocating. We’re still speaking up. And we’re still making a difference.

10/08/2026

Our 2026 Deer Management Plan is kicking off tomorrow, October 8th. 🦌

The following zone will be closed and designated for our hunters through October 10th. Please remain mindful around the area and, of course, check out egfparks.com/hunting-and-fishing for more details.

A reminder that the second half of the Deer Management Plan will take place in November, so keep your eyes and ears open for announcements as we draw closer to those dates.

10/07/2026

Our annual accessible deer hunt at Rydell is next week, and we still need volunteers.

10/05/2026

Get Fit with HOPE, Inc. this Fall on Tuesdays @ 6PM in Grand Forks!

Email [email protected] OR call (701) 866-9002 to get signed up!

10/05/2026

We still need volunteers to help with our accessible deer hunt next week. Please contact Heather at 218-791-3442 or [email protected] with any questions or if you have trouble signing up.

10/02/2026

🎉40 YEARS OF OPTIONS — WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 🎉
In October 1986, Options, Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living, opened its doors for the very first time in the East Grand Forks Holiday Mall.
But before those doors opened, there was a vision. Jay Johnson met with directors from Minnesota and North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation, and 15 others, to share the idea of creating an independent living center in our region. Their message to Jay was simple: 💙 “Go for it.”
Both states were excited about the possibilities—and that encouragement helped turn a vision into reality. Forty years later, we're celebrating the people, the stories, the advocacy, and the countless moments of independence that began with those first steps.
October 1986 was just the beginning.
🎂 Happy 40th Anniversary, Options!

Below is Options' first logo and first office.

10/02/2026

October is ADHD Awareness Month.

There’s a lot of ADHD information online. Not all of it is good.

So how do you tell what’s accurate, what’s misleading, and who you can trust?

Start with reliable, science-based sources. This article points you toward organizations, professionals, and resources that can help you find solid information and make informed decisions about ADHD.

👉 Read more: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/reliable-resources/

10/02/2026

National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

10/02/2026