Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

10/15/2026

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.

The hotel has agreed to extend the cut off for our block but only until the hotel is sold out – meaning the rooms are now considered part of open inventory so please make your reservations as soon as possible.

Location:
Niagara Falls, NY
Sheraton Niagara Falls
300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Image Description: screenshot of the text in the body of the post above.

10/15/2026

Introducing the National Self-Employment Network (NSEN) from Disability Employment TA Center. Advancing entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals with disabilities. -

In the United States, people with disabilities have a higher self-employment rate than the general population (about 9.1% compared with 5.9% as of 2025), showing that self-employment is an important pathway to economic participation. Some people with disabilities choose entrepreneurship because it c...

10/14/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOUTH CONFERENCE DESIGN CONTEST WINNERS! Buy their merch design at our 2026 APRIL Conference!

T-Shirt Design Contest Winner: Poppy-Ann!
Official Conference Sticker Winner: Max!
Official Conference Postcard Winner: Lucia!

Get Yours at the Conference!
T-shirts = $20 each
Stickers = $3 each
Postcards = $5 each
Bundle Deal (1 t-shirt, 1 sticker, and 1 postcard) = $26

Image Descriptions:

Sticker design: APRIL 2026 Youth Conference graphic with a dark green background, gold heading, and APRIL logo. The featured sticker shows a green tree covered in light pink flowers, with a brown trunk rooted in a patch of soil labeled “APRIL” in pink letters. The artist, involved with the Vermont Center for Independent Living, describes the tree as a symbol of resilience, growth, and support for blooming flowers.

Postcard design: APRIL 2026 Youth Conference graphic featuring artwork signed “Luci Stubbins.” Two hands come together to cradle a green seedling in a small mound of soil. Colorful wildflowers, green mountains, and a cloudy blue sky fill the background. The accompanying statement from the Vermont Center for Independent Living explains that the hands represent collaboration, the seedling represents new growth, and the blooming flowers represent growth made possible through care and support. The APRIL logo and gold title appear on a dark green background.

T-shirt design: APRIL 2026 Youth Conference graphic showcasing the winning T-shirt design by Poppy Ann of the Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living. Against a black background, colorful dots inspired by the disability pride flag surround a turquoise watering can watering a green seedling in a terracotta pot. The pot reads “Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow.” White text below reads “APRIL Youth Conference 2026, Niagara Falls, NY.” The artist’s statement describes the growing plant as a metaphor for inspiring the next generation of disability advocates. The APRIL logo and gold title appear at right on a dark green background.

10/13/2026

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/

10/13/2026

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.

10/12/2026

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".

10/12/2026

Join us this month for the APRIL Youth Steering Committee meeting!

Today,October 12, 2026 at 7 pm EST, 6 pm CST, 5 pm MST, 4 pm PST

Are you passionate about making a difference and driving change in your community? The Youth Steering Committee is looking for young leaders like you to step up, claim your agency, and shape the future of youth involvement! Meeting once a month, our team takes total ownership of planning every youth detail for the annual APRIL Conference—from orchestrating the high-energy Youth Conference on Friday to designing the activities that light up the entire weekend. As a committee member, you'll gain hands-on leadership experience, master real-world project management skills, and build a powerful national network. Join us to create an unforgettable space where youth from across the country unite, dive into Independent Living (IL) issues, and return home with the tools and confidence to lead! Contact Genesis G Lezama, coordinator of youth services at [email protected] for more information!

Link to Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3lErnvqIRN-D5Z3Qbrh_1g #/registration

Image Description: red and blue background in abstract shapes with white text that says "APRIL YOUTH. YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE. OCTOBER 12TH. 7 pm Eastern. 6 pm Central. 5 pm Mountain. 4 pm Pacific. YOU BELONG HERE".

10/12/2026

Youth Steering Committee has a NEW Meeting Link! Make sure you sign up for our monthly meeting if you are between the ages of 13-30 and have a disability to get involved in advocacy and disability in Rural America!

Next meeting is October 12 at 7 pm EST via Zoom.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3lErnvqIRN-D5Z3Qbrh_1g #/registration

Are you passionate about making a difference and driving change in your community? The Youth Steering Committee is looking for young leaders like you to step up, claim your agency, and shape the future of youth involvement! Meeting once a month, our team takes total ownership of planning every youth detail for the annual APRIL Conference—from orchestrating the high-energy Youth Conference on Friday to designing the activities that light up the entire weekend. As a committee member, you'll gain hands-on leadership experience, master real-world project management skills, and build a powerful national network. Join us to create an unforgettable space where youth from across the country unite, dive into Independent Living (IL) issues, and return home with the tools and confidence to lead!

Image Description: purple/pink background. Text overtop "YSC Meeting". New Zoom Link with a QR code to the registration site below the "YSC Meeting". "October 12, 2026 via Zoom at 7 pm".

10/09/2026

Get ready to bring the heat to the dance floor because one of the most anticipated events of the year is coming up! We are turning up the volume for the legendary APRIL Conference Youth Dance, and this is your official invitation to the ultimate celebration. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned conference veteran, you already know this is the night where the magic happens, and the memories are made.

This year, we are taking things to an entirely new level by bringing together the absolute best of both worlds. We have combined the powerful momentum of the APRIL general conference theme—FALL into APRIL: Facilitate, Advocate, Learn, and Lead—with the fierce, growing energy of our youth leadership training, the Blooming Collaborative: Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow.

The result? A spectacular night dedicated entirely to celebrating our combined theme: Seasons of Change. What does "Seasons of Change" look like? That is entirely up to you! We are calling on everyone to show up and show out in your absolute best interpretation of the theme.

This night is fiercely dedicated to our youth and absolutely welcoming to all the youth at heart.

We have an epic lineup waiting for you, packed with interactive activities to keep the vibe moving and, of course, the main event: karaoke! Start warming up those vocal cords and practicing your go-to anthem right now, because the mic is yours and the crowd is ready. Dust off your best dancing shoes, bring your boldest energy, and get ready to celebrate, connect, and party with the most amazing people and the rising leaders of rural America.

Image Description: Fall-themed APRIL Dance Party flyer featuring diverse illustrated dancers, including people using mobility aids, surrounded by autumn leaves and flowers. The party is October 24, 8–11:45 p.m., in the Cataract room at Niagara Falls Convention Center. Included with conference registration, with light snacks, photo props, karaoke, and activities. Wear a “Seasons of Change” outfit. Contact Genesis G Lezama for questions and accommodations.

10/09/2026

Meet the Newest APRIL Staff Member, Brittany Shipley! -