Rural Institute

Wondering how current funding affects healthcare in rural places? This article touches on hospital closures and other issues with access.

Read the article using the following link: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/22/nx-s1-5821038/rural-health-hospitals-50-billion-big-beautiful-bill-obbba

CHASE Your Dreams: Lead the Way for Youth with Disabilities!

Are you a Montana youth ready to turn your experience into action? Or do you know a young leader who is passionate about making a difference? The Midwest Regional CHASE Youth Advisory Council is looking for new members to help shape the future of self-advocacy. This is more than a volunteer role—it’s a paid opportunity to grow your leadership skills and represent Montana on a regional stage.

Who: Montana youth (ages 14–26) with an IEP or 504 plan.
Passion: An interest in disability rights and self-advocacy.
Where: Fully Virtual (must have reliable internet access).
Commitment: 6 months (May – October), with the option to stay on.
Perks: Receive a stipend for your time and expertise!
The Future: High-performing members may be selected for national-level engagement opportunities.

To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit:

The youth’s name, age, and contact information.
A brief reason for the nomination (why would they be a great fit?).

Deadline: June 1, 2026

Nominate yourself or someone else using the following link: https://mtempowermentcenter.org/contact/

The Center on Disability Employment Policy (DEP) published a fact sheet, Changes in Assistive Technology Use at Work from 2021-2024 (PDF). The fact sheet highlights findings from a recent study on how workers with blindness and low vision in the US use assistive technology on the job. In addition to key findings, the fact sheet includes implications for disability employment policy and broader economic policy and practice.

Read the factsheet using the following link:https://bbi-dep-rrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/dep-factsheet-14-assistive-technology.pdf

Join the Montana Self Advocacy Leadership Network!

Across Montana, people with developmental disabilities have always been a part of our communities, but too often, the leadership of Montanans with developmental disabilities has gone unseen or unsupported. That’s why Disability Rights Montana, the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities are rebuilding something powerful: a statewide network where self-advocates learn together, lead together, and speak up together. If you’re a person with a developmental disability and you want to build skills, confidence, and community, this Self Advocacy Leadership Network is for you!

Learn more and sign up using the following link: https://disabilityrightsmt.org/self-advocacy/

Coming this week! Register to attend the 2026 Policy and Practice Summit!

Learn more and register using the following link: https://245183132.hs-sites-na2.com/save-the-date-2026-policy-and-practice-summit-2?ecid=ANzmaIQ0N6yVod30cYBLSwHe86IAnhnVt9w5bcRnSlvdbSm4upyQF0Ph53YUYQB8cVT978htBzK0&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8JCzhn1OSb274837D8Dse0qgphL_gzkdOyOU9WivNi3h7GTIybaBfM1ZI2Q4XFDg6QmD18PPAgo0IlyIwwfmqZ1ezuqF3paiLB5rLizr0109UeL1I&_hsmi=28892754&utm_content=28892754&utm_source=hs_emai

The Great Lakes ADA Regional Center will host a webinar, The Bumpy Path Ahead: Accessibility Considerations for Exterior Surfaces, June 11th, 2 - 3:30 pm ET. Presenters will cover the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards and special considerations to make sure outdoor surfaces are designed, installed, and maintained to be usable by people with disabilities. Presenters will identify advantages and disadvantages of various exterior surfaces for people with disabilities, and will discuss common issues that affect the accessibility of exterior surfaces, including installation and maintenance issues. Individuals may submit questions in advance. Registration is free and required.

Register using the following link: https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ADA-Audio/session?id=111193

The Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Center hosts weekly virtual groups for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI Peer Support Groups, Fridays, 12 - 1 pm ET, offer individuals with SCI opportunities to share their experiences and advice for living a more fulfilling life. The center also offers virtual meditation groups Mondays, 12 - 1 pm ET, and adaptive boxing Fridays, 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET. For more information, or to register for any of these programs, contact [email protected].

Learn more about the virtual groups using the following link: https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/brycelab/spinal-cord-injury-weekly-virtual-groups/

At the rally yesterday at the Joseph Mazurek building!
No 504 equals no ADA!

Did you catch the recent ‘Songs in Sign Language’ project from Disney? Several musical moments from Disney films were reimagined with ASL.

Learn more using the following link: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/songs-in-sign-language/

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm the commitment to serving older adults.

The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages taking an active role in managing your own health, advocating for yourself, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence.

Learn more using the following link: https://acl.gov/oam/older-americans-month