Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living. The united voice of Independent Living: cross disability organizations across Rural America.

🗳️ Cast Your Vote! Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest & Youth Conference UpdatesWe are excited to share the amazing ent...
09/07/2026

🗳️ Cast Your Vote! Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest & Youth Conference Updates

We are excited to share the amazing entry submissions for our Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest! Our talented youth leaders (ages 13–30) have created inspiring artwork around this year's themes, and now we need your help picking the winning design.

Anyone is welcome to vote, so please share this form far and wide with your network!

How to Vote: Review the designs and submit your selection using the Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest Voting Form.

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1AJnOAbB3sEu21Wwg0NzYvcdEul2MFTjpU304xMJtc0g/viewform?edit_requested=true

Voting Deadline: September 15, 2026.

Winner Announcement: The winning design will be announced across our social media channels!

Additionally, we hope you can join us at the 2026 APRIL Youth Conference!

APRIL's Youth Conference and Pre-Conference activities are happening on Friday, October 23, 2026

We can't wait to connect, learn, and grow together in Niagara Falls this October. Be sure to register soon to save your spot!

Image Description: blue and yellow gradient background with illustration of a t-shirt that says "VOTE" and a QR code to vote on the Youth Conference T-shirt for 2026. Text says "Cast Your Vote! Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest & Youth Conference Updates. Review the designs and submit your selection using the Annual Youth T-Shirt Design Contest Vote Form. Voting Deadline is September 15, 2026.

APRIL will be closed today in observance of Labor DayOur office will re-open tomorrow as we continue to prepare for the ...
09/07/2026

APRIL will be closed today in observance of Labor Day

Our office will re-open tomorrow as we continue to prepare for the 2026 APRIL Conference!

Image Description: illustration of a Black person with a laptop sitting in a wheelchair. Text superimposed over the image in teal color says "We will be closed today". The APRIL logo is on the top right of the image.

Become an ExhibitorConference exhibitors play an important role in connecting attendees with innovative programs, servic...
09/04/2026

Become an Exhibitor

Conference exhibitors play an important role in connecting attendees with innovative programs, services, products, and resources that support people with disabilities and the Independent Living movement.

Exhibit booths are available on a first-come, first-served basis and include:

One 6-foot skirted table
Two chairs
Electrical access (when available)
Prime location near conference registration


Exhibitor fees are:

$500 for nonprofit organizations
$750 for corporate exhibitors

Visit our website to learn more: https://april-rural.org/index.php/en/conferences/2026-conference-information

Image Description: APRIL logo at the top of the image. Text in red font that says "Conference Reminder. You can still become a Conference exhibitor & play an important role in connecting attendees with innovative programs, services, products, and resources that support people with disabilities and the Independent Living movement. Exhibitor fees are: $500 for nonprofit organizations, $750 for corporate exhibitors".

Nominate an Outstanding Rural AdvocateDo you know someone who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and com...
09/04/2026

Nominate an Outstanding Rural Advocate

Do you know someone who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities living in rural communities?

The APRIL Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Advocacy recognizes an individual or organizational member whose work has advanced the Independent Living movement and strengthened rural communities. The recipient will be honored during the Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening and will receive a $500 award along with an engraved recognition. Nominations are due September 18, 2026.

Nomination Link: https://form.jotform.com/261785717582167

Image Description: A light gray graphic promoting APRIL’s 2026 Outstanding Rural Advocate Award. The APRIL logo, featuring a blue star and large red “APRIL” lettering, is centered at the top. Below it, large bold blue text reads, “Nominate an Outstanding Rural Advocate,” followed by “Nominations due September 18, 2026.” The lower portion of the graphic shows a screenshot of the 2026 APRIL Advocacy Award Nomination Form. The form explains that the award recognizes an individual or organizational member of APRIL for outstanding achievement in rural advocacy. The winner will receive $500 and an engraved award. Nominees are evaluated on factors including service to disabled people in rural America, commitment to the Independent Living movement, building partnerships, improving access, developing knowledge, implementing innovative ideas or projects, and promoting pride and action in the rural disability community.

mSponsor the APRIL Conference Support the Independent Living movement while gaining visibility for your organization thr...
09/03/2026

mSponsor the APRIL Conference


Support the Independent Living movement while gaining visibility for your organization through conference sponsorship opportunities.



APRIL offers sponsorship opportunities ranging from general conference support to sponsoring key events such as:

ASL & CART services
Youth programming
Conference meals
Networking events
Advertising opportunities
General conference support


A variety of sponsorship levels are available to meet organizations of all sizes.

Visit our Conference website to learn more: https://april-rural.org/index.php/en/conferences/2026-conference-information

Image Description: Text that says "Conference Reminder. It’s not too late to become a Sponsor of our 2026 APRIL Conference! Ways your sponsorship can help: ASL & CART services, Youth programming, Conference meals, Networking events, Advertising opportunities, General conference support". Photo of Niagara Falls with the APRIL logo included is at the bottom of the image.

Check Our 2026 APRIL Conference Website!We now have our APRIL Conference website with more details about the sessions an...
09/02/2026

Check Our 2026 APRIL Conference Website!

We now have our APRIL Conference website with more details about the sessions and schedule for the Pre-Conference, Youth Conference, and Conference all in one place!

Website Link: https://www.april-rural.org/conference/

Also keep an eye out for our APRIL App with the 2026 APRIL Conference information included. Coming soon!

Image Description: Close up photo of a computer with the homepage to the 2026 Conference website on the screen that says "FALL into APRIL. Facilitate. Advocate. Learn. Lead." with a QR code to register for the Conference site. Text above and below this image says "The APRIL Conference Website is Now LIVE! https://www.april-rural.org/conference/

Nominate an Outstanding Rural Youth LeaderThe Linda Gonzales Award for Outstanding Rural Youth honors an exceptional you...
09/02/2026

Nominate an Outstanding Rural Youth Leader

The Linda Gonzales Award for Outstanding Rural Youth honors an exceptional young leader who exemplifies the future of the Independent Living movement through advocacy, leadership, and service to rural communities.

The recipient will also be recognized during the Sunday evening Awards Ceremony and receive a $500 award and engraved recognition. Nominations are due September 18, 2026.

Link: https://form.jotform.com/261786459980173

Image Description: A light gray graphic promoting nominations for APRIL’s Outstanding Rural Youth Leader award. The APRIL logo, featuring a blue star and large red “APRIL” lettering, appears at the top. Large bold blue text reads, “Nominate an Outstanding Rural Youth Leader.” Below the heading is a photo of a woman with short gray hair wearing a purple-and-white flower lei. To the right, blue text reads, “Nominations are due September 18, 2026.” Large blue text across the lower half explains that the Linda Gonzales Award for Outstanding Rural Youth honors an exceptional young leader who represents the future of the Independent Living movement through advocacy, leadership, and service to rural communities. The graphic also states that the recipient will be recognized during the Sunday evening Awards Ceremony and will receive a $500 award and engraved recognition.

Planning Your Trip to Niagara Falls The conference will be held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, conveniently loc...
09/01/2026

Planning Your Trip to Niagara Falls


The conference will be held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, conveniently located directly across the street from the Sheraton Niagara Falls, our official conference hotel. A special APRIL room block has been reserved with discounted rates available through September 21, 2026. Additional accessible room blocks are also available at nearby hotels if needed.

More information can be found on our website: https://april-rural.org/index.php/en/conferences/2026-conference-information

Image Description: Illustration of Niagara Falls with text below "Conference Reminder: 2026 APRIL Conference room block rates are only being held until September 21, 2026. Make your hotel reservations and accommodations now!" APRIL logo with Conference details below: 2026 APRIL Conference at Niagara Falls, NY October 23-25, 2026.

APRIL is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Board of Directors.Serving on APRIL’s Board is an opportunity to contrib...
08/31/2026

APRIL is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Board of Directors.

Serving on APRIL’s Board is an opportunity to contribute your experience, help shape the organization’s future, and strengthen the national Independent Living Movement. Members may nominate themselves or another qualified APRIL member.

Positions open for election include:

• Six Board Members at Large
• Two Youth Board Members, who must be under age 30
• Board Vice President
• Board Secretary
• Our Voices Member
• Executive Member at Large

APRIL especially encourages nominations of youth leaders and candidates from states that are not currently represented on the Board.

Nominees must be APRIL individual members in good standing, active members of a Center for Independent Living or Statewide Independent Living Council, and have verified support from a CIL or SILC. Candidates for executive officer positions must have served at least one full term on the APRIL Board.

Nominations close October 2, 2026.

Submit a nomination:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXKPS5W

For an accommodation to complete or submit the nomination, contact [email protected].

Image Description: A graphic designed as a corkboard with pinned notes reads, “Join the 2027 APRIL Board.” Open positions include six Board Members at Large; two Youth Board Members under age 30; Board Vice President; Board Secretary; Our Voices Member; and Executive Member at Large. The graphic includes the APRIL logo, a QR code, and an accessibility symbol. Nominations are due October 2, 2026.

Address

P. O. Box 203
Plumerville, AR
72127

Telephone

(501) 753-3400

Website

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