Welcome to our News & Updates Page!
This page be our hub for sharing what matters most: news, opportunities, updates, and anything else we think our audience should know. DO NOT WORRY our regular Director’s Corner will not be going away. If you have not read them yet, you should check them out! They are articles written by Jeff Anderson, The Arc of Cass County’s Executive Director, about topics relevant to the lives of people with disabilities in our community.
3-11-2026
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has documented major disruption at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and a sharp rise in the dismissal of discrimination complaints in schools, including those involving students with disabilities.
From March through September 2025, OCR received more than 9,000 discrimination complaints, and roughly 90% of the resolved cases were closed through dismissal. GAO also found that 247 OCR staff were placed on paid administrative leave starting March 21 and were not allowed to work for nearly nine months. A decision GAO estimates cost taxpayers up to $38 million.
Rights are only meaningful when enforcement exists. Families have a right to turn to OCR when a child is denied accommodations, pushed out of class, harassed, or disciplined unfairly because of disability. When those complaints aren’t addressed, schools lose clear direction, families lose answers, and students live with the consequences for years. Read the full story by following the link below:
Full Costs and Savings Estimate Needed for Reduction-in-Force and Restructuring of the Office for Civil Rights
3-10-2026
3-9-2026
Building Career Pathways for Direct Support Professionals
The Importance of Direct Support Professionals
For many people with disabilities, direct support professionals (DSPs) are essential for participation in daily activities, community life, and employment. Often, it is DSPs, including employment support professionals, who make independent living and workplace success possible for disabled people. In addition, the role of DSP is not only critical for supporting people with disabilities but is in itself a career in which job seekers with disabilities may thrive. READ MORE
3-2-2026
2-27-2026
Do You Know About?
Red River Ambucs
Interview with Kristin Peters – President, Red River Ambucs
What services does Red River Ambucs provide?
The mission of the Red River AMBUCS is Inspiring Mobility and Independence in the Red River Valley by working in partnership with Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists by providing Amtryke Adaptive Trykes for people with disabilities. We help people of all ages and abilities to get specially designed adaptive trykes to enhance their quality of life with their families and peers. Amtrykes make standard 3-wheeled hand, hand and foot and foot trykes including for all ages from early childhood trykes to adult trykes with necessary adaptations to individualize the person’s needs to be successful to ride the Amtrykes.
Why are trykes important to the people who receive them?
Recipients, parents and therapists report that the Amtryke adaptive tricycle provides increased strength, mobility and coordination as well as self-confidence and positive peer interaction. That all adds up to great exercise, the opportunity to be outdoors and just plain fun!
How much does an adaptive tryke cost?
$1200-$2000 depending on the type of Amtryke along with the necessary adaptations.
How do I know if I can get an adaptive tryke for myself or someone I know?
You would work with your OT or PT if you currently have one to order your cutomized Amtryke. Many of our riders have tried to ride a 2-wheeled bike but have been unsuccessful due to balance or safety. If you currently are not receiving therapies, reach out to redriverambucs@gmail.com to help coordinate.
Your national affiliate gives out scholarships for college students, who are those scholarships for?
People may apply to the national affiliate for a scholarships if you are furthering your education in PT, OT or Speech Therapy.
Anything else you want our readers to know?
We have currently given away 160 Amtrykes since January of 2021!
2-18-2026
2-11-2026
2-3-2026
Do You Know About?
House of Everyday Learning
Interview with Laura Kolling, Secretary – Board of Directors House of Everyday Learning
What services does House of Everyday Learning provide?
House of Everyday Learning was created to help uninsured and underinsured children access therapeutic programming despite financial barriers. Over time, our nonprofit has expanded to offer a wider variety of camps, mobile therapy services, and access to specialty interventions such as equine assisted therapy and music therapy.
We primarily serve children ages 2 to 18. Through fundraising and grant-writing efforts, we are able to offer many of these programs through scholarships, helping families access services that may otherwise be out of reach due to cost, insurance limitations, or eligibility restrictions.
Do you work with parents on specific goals they have for their children?
Yes. While our camps focus on general skill areas such as social skills, parents are encouraged to share specific concerns or goals during registration. Camp leaders review this information and can intentionally support those areas during the program or offer suggestions for carryover at home. This collaborative approach allows programming to feel more personalized while still maintaining a group-based, inclusive environment.
Are your camps designed to be inclusive for children of all abilities?
Yes. Inclusivity is a core value of House of Everyday Learning. Our camps are intentionally designed to provide a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for children of all abilities. This year we are offering a variety of camps: social skills, nature, anxiety, grief, nutrition, Kindergarten readiness, movement, sensory exploration – houseofeverydaylearning.com
We partner closely with Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness, and our camps are led by licensed therapy professionals. Their expertise allows us to offer high-quality programming that supports a wide range of developmental needs while fostering connection, confidence, and belonging.
How do you assist with barriers such as distance to services or the cost of therapy?
In the spring of 2021, we launched our Mobile Therapy Unit (MTU). With the support of grants, the MTU travels to rural North Dakota communities to provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy services in areas such as Milnor, Gwinner, and Lisbon. We currently provide services one day per week during the summer months and offer free screenings within these communities. We hope to expand to additional rural routes in the future.
In addition, some therapeutic programs such as equine therapy and music therapy are not covered by insurance. Through the House of Everyday Learning scholarship process, we are able to help families reduce the cost of these valuable therapy experiences so children can access services that support their growth and success.
Do you offer financial assistance for camps?
Yes. This year, our board of directors is intentionally lowering the overall cost of camps to improve accessibility. Families may also apply for partial scholarships to further reduce financial barriers. This is also our second year of being a part of Giving Hearts Day, which has helped our efforts as well!
1-30-2026
1-28-2026
Want to see The Arc’s previous newsletters? Check them out here!
1-14-2026
The Arc of The United States
Year-End Highlights: Momentum Across The Arc
As we wrapped up the year, The Arc is closing strong across chapters, policy, advocacy, communications, legal work, and programs.
Our National Convention in Charlotte brought together leaders from across the country, with thoughtful sessions and productive strategy discussions. On the policy front, staff met with senior officials in the Trump Administration — including CMS leadership and the White House Domestic Policy Council — to shape implementation of the 2025 budget law and reinforce the importance of federal oversight in disability and education programs. A new toolkit and January webinar will help chapters prepare for upcoming changes.
Advocacy reached new heights, with more than 658,000 actions to Congress and over 700 personal stories shared to protect home‑ and community‑based services. Communications efforts expanded our reach through national media coverage and a new Sephora collaboration highlighting inclusive beauty.
Legal advocacy advanced key disability rights cases, from challenges to federal education changes to voting rights litigation in Texas, while also tracking a major Supreme Court case on intellectual disability and the death penalty.
Our programs team wrapped up a successful year as well, supporting nearly 800 people with IDD through Tech Coaching Centers and expanding digital literacy opportunities across chapters.
1-13-2026
