Great Plains ADA Center

02/21/2026

Upcoming learning opportunities happening with Epilepsy Foundation of America. The first virtual session happens Tuesday, 2/24!

Learn more and to register: bit.ly/4teuPD5

The "Community Conversations - African Americans Living with Epilepsy" roundtable series creates a safe and welcoming space for African Americans and their caregivers to share experiences and engage in open conversations about living with epilepsy. Learn more and to register: bit.ly/4teuPD5

02/20/2026

Big 2026 update to the Think College publication, Scholarships for Students with Intellectual Disabilities! You can check out the latest scholarship information by visiting:
https://thinkcollege.net/resource/scholarships/scholarships-for-students-with-intellectual-disabilities

Hot Off The Press! 🚨 Our 2026 update of How To Think College: Scholarships for Students with Intellectual Disabilities is now available! 📊 This updated resource helps students with intellectual disability and their families find scholarship opportunities to make college more affordable.

Whether you're just starting to explore options or finalizing plans for fall, this guide can help you take the next step with confidence.

Updated February 2026. Reviewed annually - and built to support your college journey. 🎓

Download your copy today at https://thinkcollege.net/resource/scholarships/scholarships-for-students-with-intellectual-disabilities!

02/20/2026

Great information from our friends at the Great Lakes ADA Center for World Day of Social Justice!

February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice, highlighting the global responsibility to advance inclusion, dismantle bias, and create communities where everyone can fully participate in society. Today, we are featuring a powerful video by Kathryn Hubert, who shares 10 crucial principles for disability justice and truly inclusive employment: bit.ly/EmploymentJustice

February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice, highlighting the global responsibility to advance inclusion, dismantle bias, and create communities where everyone can fully participate in society. Today, we are featuring a powerful video by Kathryn Hubert, who shares 10 crucial principles for disability justice and truly inclusive employment: bit.ly/EmploymentJustice.

02/20/2026

"Young professionals now dominate the U.S. workforce — making up over 50% of the current labor market. For employers, understanding and addressing the mental health and wellness challenges facing this young workforce has never been more essential or timelier."

New resource alert! The American Psychiatric Association Foundation offers A Workplace Playbook & Resource Guide Addressing the Needs of Early to Mid-Career Professionals. The guide includes up-to-date survey data, recommendations, and best practices for employers and other business leaders, as well as tools for young professionals to support them as they navigate workplace mental health challenges.

https://workplacementalhealth.org/employer-resources/guides-and-toolkits/mid-career-professionals-playbook

02/20/2026

Two middle school friends decided to build awareness about accessibility challenges for students with disabilities. Check out the results in this article!

Being a wheelchair user definitely has its struggles, whether it’s trying to get into a building, opening doors, or reaching something on a shelf. But the real struggle is that no one fully understands it.

02/20/2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission published an Updated Investor Bulletin: An Introduction to ABLE Accounts. The bulletin provides an overview of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts, which can help people with disabilities save for qualified disability expenses. Updates include information about who can open ABLE Accounts, how much they can contribute annually, and recent changes to related tax laws. The bulletin also explains how ABLE accounts may impact eligibility for other benefits, and lists important questions individuals should ask when starting or managing an ABLE account.

Check out the updated bulletin now -
https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/general-resources/news-alerts/alerts-bulletins/investor-bulletins/updated-6

An Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account provides a tax-advantaged method to save for qualified disability expenses. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes, but your investments can grow tax free and remain so when withdrawn and used for qualified disability...

02/20/2026

Case study from legal firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP offers practical advice for employers to negotiate reasonable accommodation requests involving telework.

"Being able to articulate the importance of in-person attendance, maintaining a detailed job description, and carefully considering the consequences of allowing the employee to work remotely are all key components in defending against an ADA failure to accommodate lawsuit. The employer’s beliefs alone are not enough; documentation and a thoughtful interactive process are imperative."

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=931fc70f-d1f0-4959-99a0-0b94c55c355c

In light of the recent uptick in return-to-work policies requiring physical presence in the workplace, accommodation requests under the Americans…

02/20/2026

There is still time to register for this special event happening Sunday, February 22! Pearls of Production kicks off the celebration of the International Year of the Woman Farmer with a special keynote by Carey Portell. Carey is well known in the agricultural world because of her perseverance as a cattle farmer, author, and speaker following a serious car crash that resulted in significant physical limitations.

To learn more about the event and to register, visit https://brnw.ch/21wZZwW

Join us on February 22 at 3 p.m. as Carey Portell launches the International Year of the Woman Farmer with an inspiring keynote webinar for Pearls of Production.

After experiencing a serious accident, Carey discovered a "new normal" with the support of the Missouri AgrAbility program. She has successfully adapted her cattle production by implementing innovative tools and strategies that ensure both the sustainability of her operation and her long-term success. Her remarkable journey has motivated producers across the state and underscores the importance of adaptive agriculture and resilient leadership.

In her keynote, Carey will encourage producers to transform their challenges into opportunities for growth, just as she has in her own farming journey.

Learn more and register today!
https://brnw.ch/21wZZwW

02/20/2026

Congratulations to golfer and disability advocate Amy Bockerstette for her selection to Forbes 2026 30 Under 30 Local list for Arizona! Amy was the first person with Down syndrome to earn a college athletic scholarship and she cofounded the I GOT THIS Foundation, introducing nearly 1,000 people with intellectual disabilities to golf.

Golfer and advocate Amy Bockerstette made history as the first person with Down syndrome to earn a college athletic scholarship—and cofounded the I GOT THIS Foundation, introducing nearly 1,000 people with intellectual disabilities to golf. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesunder30team/2026/02/18/meet-the-30-under-30-local-phoenix-class-of-2026/?utm_campaign=ForbesMainFB&utm_source=ForbesMainFacebook&utm_medium=social

02/19/2026

Recent court decision out of the 7th Circuit offers an important reminder about when employers can legally inquire with their employees about their medical condition and require fitness-for-duty exams under the ADA.

Learn more about Nawara v. Cook County, 132 F. 4th 1031 (7th Cir. 2025) - https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/employee-struggling-physically-or-8031761/

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from making disability inquiries or requiring employees to undergo medical examinations...

02/19/2026

Brain Injury Awareness Month starts on March 1! Get geared up with this helpful toolkit from the Brain Injury Association of America with handy tools and resources to help you spread awareness!

Brain Injury Awareness Month is less than three weeks away! Our new Brain Injury Awareness Month toolkit has handy tools and resources to help you spread awareness, get involved with advocacy, start a fundraiser, and more. Download your free copy here: https://bit.ly/3MFSFqC

02/19/2026

Starting in March, episodes of Peppa Pig will introduce a new friend, George, who has hearing loss and will be fitted with a hearing aid. Developed with the National Deaf Children's Society, the plot features an audiologist voiced by Jodie Ounsley, Deaf rugby player, and aims to increase representation for deaf children.

A popular children's television show is revealing that a key character has a disability.