Arkansas State Independent Living Council-ARSILC

08/07/2026

Supporting Children with Autism Through ABA Therapy

Every child has unique strengths and potential. Easterseals Arkansas provides individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) build skills, increase independence, and reach their goals.

ABA therapy can support children by focusing on:
💬 Communication skills
🤝 Social interactions
🌱 Independence and daily living skills
⭐ Positive behaviors and confidence
👨‍👩‍👧 Family strategies and support

Easterseals Arkansas uses individualized plans developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), with support from Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), to meet each child’s needs.

Learn more about ABA therapy and resources for children and families:
https://eastersealsar.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-aba-therapy-for-children/

Explore the benefits of ABA therapy, including improved communication, social skills, independence, and tailored strategies for children.

08/06/2026

Kids Count Policy 101: Special Education 101

Join the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition for a monthly webinar series exploring the fundamentals of policies and programs that impact children and families across Arkansas.

This session will focus on Special Education 101, featuring Nicole Carey, Education Policy Director at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Learn about:
✅ IEPs (Individualized Education Programs)
✅ 504 Plans
✅ State and federal special education programs
✅ Current issues affecting special education policy
✅ How advocates can support Arkansas children and families

August 27, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
💻 Location: Zoom
📝 Registration required

Whether you’re a parent, educator, advocate, or community member, this webinar provides essential information to help you better understand and advocate for students with disabilities.

The mission of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is to ensure that all children and their families have the resources and opportunities to lead healthy and productive lives and to realize their full potential. We serve as a voice for children at the Arkansas State Capitol and in Washingto...

08/05/2026

Every purchase made at The Blue Umbrella supports Arkansans with developmental and intellectual disabilities. All proceeds go directly to the artists, providing opportunities for them to experience independence and a sense of purpose. Shop with us in-store or browse our online shop to have items shipped right to your door.

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.BLUEUMBRELLAAR.ORG

POP-UP EVENTS

AUGUST 6–7, 8 AM – 4 PM
Beyond the Borders Conference
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Conway

Home Blue Umbrella https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f0d6ca_704a0af3381c4acb915345f0f7b3d9db%7Emv2.png

08/04/2026

Celebrate International Assistance Dogs Week! 🐕‍🦺

International Assistance Dogs Week, observed August 2–8, 2026, is organized by ADI - Assistance Dogs International to recognize the life-changing contributions of assistance dogs and the people and organizations who train and partner with them.

Assistance dogs help people with disabilities live more independently by performing tasks that enhance safety, mobility, communication, and daily living. They also promote greater inclusion and participation in communities.

Have questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and service animals? Visit the Great Plains ADA Center's resource page to learn about service animal rights and responsibilities:
https://gpadacenter.org/topics/service-animals/

Service Animals and Public Access ADA regulations (Title II and III) state that people with disabilities have the right to use service dogs for assistance in public places.  Public places such as movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, clinics, courthouses, libraries, and museums must allow se...

08/03/2026

Free Webinar: Disability & Health in Extreme Weather

Extreme weather and power outages can have serious impacts on the health and safety of people with disabilities. Join the ADA National Network to explore challenges, legal considerations, and practical strategies for building community resilience.

🗓️ Thursday, August 27, 2026
🕝 2:30 PM ET

You'll learn about:
⚡ The health impacts of extreme weather and power outages on people with disabilities
🏘️ Community-driven solutions that promote resilience
⚖️ How disability law relates to emergency preparedness and response
❄️ Lessons from Winter Storm Uri and the 2021 Texas power crisis
🔋 Upstream Access's work providing backup power to disabled Oregonians

This webinar is ideal for people with disabilities, advocates, emergency planners, service providers, and anyone interested in creating more inclusive emergency preparedness efforts.

Extreme weather events, and the power disruptions that often accompany these crises, present unique health challenges for community members with disabilities. In this webinar, we will explore both the issues disabled people confront in these crises and promising initiatives to strengthen weather res...

08/02/2026

Arkansas Health Units ready to support families with back-to school immunizations via KATV Channel 7

The Arkansas Department of Health is prepared to help students begin the 2026-2027 school year by providing immunizations as well as immunization and birth reco

08/01/2026

New EBT app gives Arkansas SNAP recipients security tools against scammers via KATV Channel 7

After months of hearing from Arkansas families who had their Summer EBT benefits stolen by scammers with no way to get that money back.

08/01/2026

Creating Opportunities Through Adaptive Sports

The Tristate Adaptive Sports Association (TASA) is dedicated to providing world-class adaptive sports and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities across West Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas.

TriState Adaptive Sports Association, Inc.-TASA works to break down barriers and challenge misconceptions by creating inclusive spaces where people with disabilities can be active, compete, connect, and be fully included in their communities.

Participants have opportunities to enjoy activities such as:
🎳 Bowling
🚴 Tandem cycling
🏹 Archery
🥅 Goalball
🌎 Community adventure sports

Having served more than 120 individuals, TASA continues to lead as the only cross-disability adaptive sports organization in the region.

With a board of directors made up largely of people with disabilities, TASA is guided by lived experience and a commitment to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate, belong, and thrive.

https://tasaweb.org/

Every last Friday of the month is game night! We could play uno, cards, spades, dominoes, checkers, and more! Our games and cards are accessible to blind and low-vision players as we offer braille, large print, or a sighted volunteer to assist with game play. Your attendance and any snacks we provid...

07/31/2026

Celebrating Disability Pride Through Independence and Inclusion

Organizations across Arkansas are coming together during Disability Pride Month to highlight the importance of independence, accessibility, and opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Through collaboration and community support, these groups are helping break down barriers and provide resources that empower individuals to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.

Programs focused on adaptive skills, workplace support, home and community services, and wellness demonstrate the power of inclusion and the impact of disability-led advocacy.

💙 Disability Pride Month is a reminder that people with disabilities belong, contribute, and deserve equal opportunities to thrive.

July is Disability Pride Month, and two Arkansas organizations are teaming up to help visually impaired Arkansans build more independence, confidence and opport

07/30/2026

🎤Rockin' for Autism 2026 is coming up!! 🎸

Join us for a full day of classic rock, blues, and country music while making a difference for Arkansans with autism.

Saturday, September 12
City Hall Pavilion | Mansfield, AR
FREE Admission- Donations welcomed and encourage!💙

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your friends for an incredible lineup of live music, food, and community fun.

Every donation benefits the Arkansas Autism Foundation, helping us provide grants, resources, scholarships, and inclusive opportunities across Arkansas.

Come rock with us, support a great cause, and help us continue Building Bridges to Independence for Arkansans with Autism.