The Arc of Nebraska

02/14/2026

Supporting our Presentation & Award Ceremony is Apace! Each year, our presentation brings Nebraskans together to inspire advocacy and to show our appreciation for advocates dedicated to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities(I/DD).

📣If your organization or business wants to join us, use the link below:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/senatorial-dinner-banquet-sponsors

Region V Services is now Apace. Apace provides services in several locations in Nebraska: Lincoln, Auburn, Beatrice, Bellevue, Columbus, Crete, David City, Fairbury, Falls City, Gretna, Geneva, Hebron, Nebraska City, Seward, Wahoo, & York.

"Apace – Seward strives to provide meaningful days, with our main goal of helping people live genuine lives and foster authentic relationships with those around them. We want everyone who wants to be immersed in the community, whether working or volunteering. We live every day focusing on integrity, meaningful days, appreciation, genuine, and excellence."

https://www.goapace.com/

02/13/2026

Nebraskans with genetic and rare health conditions can find connection, information sharing, and advocacy opportunities through this event sponsor. Meet Nebraska Rare!

❤Modern Woodmen and Nebraska Rare invest in Nebraskans. Want to join in? Your organization can make an impact too.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/senatorial-dinner-banquet-sponsors

Mission Statement: "Nebraska RARE is dedicated to empowering families impacted by rare diseases through education, advocacy, and community inclusion. We strive to elevate awareness, partner with healthcare providers, and communities to ensure every person with a rare condition is understood, supported, and valued. Together, we build a compassionate network where all families feel seen, heard, and never alone."

https://nebraska-rare.org/

02/13/2026

Look who's coming to dinner! These Nebraska Senators have reserved their spot at our Annual Senatorial Dinner banquet. If you live in their districts, be sure to register to attend on our website.

Senator Loren Lippincott representing District 34: Hamiliton, Merrick, Nance, & Hall county

Senator Victor Rountree representing District 3: Sarpy county

Senator Jared Storm representing District 23: Colfax, Saunders, and most of Butler county

Senator Bob Hallstrom representing District 1: Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, and Richardson county

02/13/2026

The Senatorial Dinner Photobooth is sponsored by this Omaha provider, Lamplight Behavior Analysis. Reserve your banquet tickets & come photo ready!

Learn more & get YOUR tickets:

www.arc-nebraska.org/senatorial_dinner

⭐Lamplight's first clinic is open with no waitlist presently! We have hours of operations from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm with flexible scheduling to accommodate the needs of our learners and their families. Lamplight Behavior Analysis takes an individualized approach to clinic-based service delivery.

Mission Statement: "At Lamplight Behavior Analysis, our mission is to provide a beacon of hope through access to evidence-based, clinically-appropriate therapy and related services. We empower individuals and their families to let their unique light shine and thrive in the world around them.”

02/12/2026

ASL Advocate NEEDED: If anyone in the Omaha area can provide ASL communications for a family TODAY at 1:45pm at The Saint Paul VI Institute at 6901 Mercy Rd. Let us know!

This couple has a 1:45pm appointment & 2:30pm surgeon appointment. (Possibly lasting until 3:30pm.) Their loved one was told that the clinic does not provide ASL interpreter services last minute. In-person support would be greatly appreciated!

02/11/2026

Our spring banquet is quickly approaching. Check out this sponsor!

A strong advocating force for those with disabilities is... Disability Rights Nebraska Connect with online and be sure to give them a special "Hello" at our Senatorial Dinner on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Tickets and tables are still available! Head over to our website for more details:
www.arc-nebraska.org

Interested Sponsors can use this link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/senatorial-dinner-banquet-sponsors

02/09/2026

Participating from home, is easy! The Nebraska Legislature records online comments. After reading through a bill's Statement of Intent, you can take a position & provide your input. Positions can be: Proponent, Opponent, or Neutral.

When you submit a comment online, you complete the form detailing who you are and your position. You then have 500 words to share your input. Please note that your comment must be submitted by 8am on the day of the bill's hearing date to be recorded as public comment.

For more details on submitting online input:

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/committees/public-input.php

02/03/2026

This is a result of the turmoil in the federal government from trying to close the Department of Education and closing nearly all Office of Civil Rights branches. Families and students deserve better.

02/02/2026

A strong advocate for Nebraskans.❤️

UPDATE: Funeral services set for March 7th at Sacred Heart in Omaha, 10:30 am. The Wake will be at Heafey funeral home, 7805 West Center Road, the evening prior.

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Patty McGill Smith this last week. Patty was very much a Founding Mother of the Disability Rights movement in Nebraska and nationally. For so many of us, Patty was the first connection we made to the Disability Community. She is survived by many children and grands, including Disability Advocate and longtime People First member, Jane Smith, and Disability Ally Mark Smith. Information on services in Omaha will follow. Godspeed Patty, your immense body of work to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families will not be forgotten.

02/02/2026

Punxsutawney Phil made his prediction. Here’s ours: families should not have to relive the same fight for special education they fought 50 years ago.

As the Department of Education is torn apart, students with disabilities will pay the price. Protections will get weaker, and guidance and support will get harder to find. When a school fails a student, families have fewer places to turn for answers and accountability. Special education is a legal right, not a perk.

Share if you believe every student with a disability deserves an education that is protected by law and enforced in real life.

02/01/2026

Tables are filling up fast...don't miss YOUR chance to celebrate advocacy with Nebraskans! The Arc of Nebraska's Senatorial Dinner is a formal dinner banquet that takes place each spring.

🏆We will gather to have in-person conversations and to celebrate the strong advocates in our communities across the state. Dress your best and show YOUR support for the disability community!

More details can be found on our website: www.arc-nebraska.org

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-senatorial-dinner-banquet

01/29/2026

Come together! Disability supporters from across the state are snagging their chance to sit down with a Nebraska Senator for dinner.

❤Senatorial Dinner is an evening of advocacy, awards, and impact. On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 we will join in fellowship and show our support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hosted in downtown Lincoln, this is an event you don't want to miss.

Get your tickets NOW using the link below! (Ticket sales end on February 15th.)

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-senatorial-dinner-banquet