Arkansas State Independent Living Council-ARSILC

11/26/2025

The Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) has a great resource library with a wide variety of resources available to people with Down Syndrome and their families, in a number of different categories.

Check it out! https://ardownsyndrome.org/resources/

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Resource Library In this section, you’ll find a wide variety of resources available to people with Down Syndrome and their families, in a number of different categories. Click the icons to browse the sections below. For New Parents New Parent Resources Do you have a new little one with Down syndro...

11/25/2025

Disabled voices matter.
The Senate Special Committee on Aging wants REAL stories from people with disabilities about HCBS, CILs, and other supports that help us live in our communities.

📝 Share your story by Dec 7, 2025 — 11:59 PM ET
Your story will go to the Committee and become part of the public record.

Make your voice heard.
https://secure.everyaction.com/y2OHTlGLrEersNcxyCjn8Q2?emci=cc053a68-18c7-f011-8196-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=e0286113-1dc7-f011-8196-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=35352299

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network Dametrice FranSha Anderson

11/24/2025

What Is Independent Living (IL)?

Independent Living is more than a service model—it’s a philosophy.
It means that people with disabilities have the right to make their own choices, control their own lives, and participate fully in their communities.

Independent Living does not mean a person must do everything on their own.
It means they have the supports, tools, and opportunities they need to live the life they choose.

11/22/2025

An Arkansas dad is calling on state leaders to reform disability services after sharing his family’s struggles in a viral post. He highlights the long waitlist for the CES Waiver Program and the emotional, financial toll it’s taken on his family. Via KATV Channel 7

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

An Arkansas father is urging state leaders to address the struggles faced by families with disabled children, following a viral social media post.Blake Landers

11/21/2025

Young adults in the Easter Seals Phase 2 program enjoyed a relaxing spa day at Ava Bella Day Spa—complete with massages, facials, and a sauna! What a wonderful way to honor self-care, inclusion, and community. 💙

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

A group of young adults from Easter Seals, Arkansas got a special treat today, their very own trip to the spa channel seven at Ava Bella Day Spa in Little Rock

11/20/2025

Mainstream Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit, consumer-driven Independent Living Resource Center serving people with disabilities in central Arkansas. Since 1987, we have provided free services that help individuals set their own goals, make their own choices, and lead independent, self-directed lives.

Mission
Their mission is to offer advocacy, peer support, and other services that empower people with significant disabilities to live independently and be fully included in the community.

Approach
Mainstream is committed to consumer-directed services. Each person creates their own Independent Living Plan with support from trained staff, ensuring that all services reflect the consumer’s goals and choices.

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Mainstream is a non-profit, non-residential, consumer-driven Independent Living Resource Center for people with disabilities in central Arkansas. Consumers of Mainstream set their own goals and take the lead in developing plans to meet those goals and objectives. Mainstream, which has been in existe...

11/19/2025

nvitation to Political Forum - November 20, 2025

The Little Rock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority invites you to join us for a political forum on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The event will be held at 7621 W. 40th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204.

We encourage you to bring your family and friends to hear from candidates running for the following positions:

State Representative, District 77
State Senate, District 15
Pulaski County Judge
Prosecuting Attorney

Stay informed about the upcoming elections!

Disclaimer: The Arkansas State Independent Living Council does not endorse nor campaign for any political candidate. We share information and educate individuals on the right to Vote.

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

11/19/2025

2026 Transition Fair & Educational Workshop

Community Connections and the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) will be providing a FREE Transition Fair & Educational Workshop for families of children/teens/young adults with special need to help access important information and resources to support them on the journeys.

They will also be providing free childcare! Community Connections will provide oversight of children’s activities/childcare. Childcare will close out at the end of the workshop. Registration is required with or without childcare.

Fellowship Bible Church (1401 Kirk Rd., Little Rock)
January 24 | 9am - noon

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Community Connections hosts an annual educational workshop to help caregivers raising children and young adults with special needs access important information and resources to support them on the journey.

11/18/2025

In Memory of Alice Wong (1974–2025)

Alice Wong, a highly regarded advocate for disability rights, author, and the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, has sadly passed away at the age of 51. A "luminary of the disability justice movement," Wong dedicated her life to promoting the rights, autonomy, and dignity of individuals with disabilities especially those who are also people of color, LGBTQ+, or immigrants.

Through her pioneering advocacy, impactful writing, and steadfast commitment to justice, Wong transformed public perceptions of disability into a source of strength, community, and culture. Her efforts focused on ensuring that disabled individuals could live freely, make their own choices, and maintain full control over their lives.

A talented storyteller, she wrote Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life and edited several celebrated anthologies, including Disability Visibility. Her leadership and vision continue to motivate countless advocates, creators, and community builders.

Alice Wong’s legacy embodies courage, creativity, and radical inclusion. Her voice and influence will persist.

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

Alice Wong, an activist and author who championed the rights of people with disabilities, has died. She was 51.

11/17/2025

SNAP benefits are on their way to Arkansans again. With the end of the shutdown, SNAP is now fully funded through September 2026.

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

With the end of the government shutdown, full SNAP benefits will be paid to recipients in Arkansas by Thursday evening.

11/16/2025

Diabetes is a widespread issue in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 38 million Americans are living with diabetes and are at risk of its severe effects. This situation is also evident in Arkansas.

The diabetes crisis in Arkansas:
🔸 About 345,600 adults in Arkansas,
or 13% of the adult population, have been diagnosed with diabetes.
🔸Each year, around 21,000 adults in Arkansas receive a diabetes diagnosis.

The serious complications associated with diabetes include heart disease, stroke, amputations, end-stage kidney disease, blindness, and even death.

Learn more at Arkansas Department of Health
https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/diseases-conditions/diabetes/

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

11/15/2025

American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) initiated its Scholarship Program in 1982. In collaboration with various organizations and individuals, the ACB provides educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for incoming freshmen, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as those enrolled in technical colleges.

This initiative grants scholarships to assist students with their financial obligations related to post-secondary education, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses linked to assistive technology.

To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must be legally blind, uphold a minimum GPA of 3.0 for most scholarships, be enrolled as a full-time student or a part-time student working at least 32 hours per week, and actively participate in their school and local community. Scholarships are granted to students attending post-secondary institutions across the United States.

Applications for the 2026 - 2027 school year can be submitted online from Saturday, November 1, 2025, to Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:59 pm (CST).

https://www.acb.org/scholarships?mc_cid=18ed394ac8&mc_eid=fef17f79ac

Dametrice FranSha Anderson

The American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program was established in 1982. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) in partnership with other organizations and individuals offers educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for entering freshman, undergraduate and graduat...