The Arc of Bismarck

03/10/2026

Advocacy plays an important role in ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live, work, and participate fully in their communities.

During Disability Awareness Month, The Arc of North Dakota is sharing guest perspectives from advocates and leaders across our state. One of the newest posts features [Name], Director of the North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities, who reflects on why disability advocacy continues to matter.

We invite our Bismarck community to read and learn more about how advocacy helps strengthen opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across North Dakota.

Introduction (from The Arc of North Dakota)During Disability Awareness Month, The Arc of North Dakota is highlighting voices from across our state who are working to advance inclusion, opportunity, and equity for people with disabilities. Throughout March, we will share guest perspectives from advoc...

02/27/2026

01/14/2026

01/13/2026

We were thrilled to welcome students from the Bismarck Public Schools Life Ed program to The Arc of Bismarck Thrift Store before winter break! The students stopped by to shop for holiday wrapping supplies as part of their Holiday Pop-Up Shop project—practicing customer service, functional math, inventory skills, and gift-wrapping in a real-world setting.

We’re so glad The Arc of Bismarck could support this hands-on learning experience by providing donated wrapping supplies to help make their event a success. Thank you to the Life Ed staff, students, and the Central Administration Building team for inviting us to be part of such meaningful learning. We love seeing our community grow together!

12/16/2025

Hope to see you Saturday

Next Saturday December 20 The Arc of Bismarck hosting their annual Christmas party 1-4 @ Mandan Moose Lodge #425. It’s FREE to attend & all are welcome with music by BorderLine, Santa will also be in attendance!!

12/11/2025

We’re excited to share The Arc of North Dakota’s announcement! 🎉
Explore the new statewide website to see how our chapters are working together to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across North Dakota.
👉 arcofnd.org

Our brand-new website is live!
The Arc of ND is committed to strengthening advocacy and improving access to information for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across our state.
Visit https://www.arcofnd.org/ to explore the new site.

11/21/2025

The holiday season is here — and somehow our calendars filled up faster than our thrift store backroom in December. 🎄😂**

Thank you for sticking with us, supporting our mission, and helping create a community where everyone belongs… even when it feels like December is sprinting at us. 💚

Every donation, every share, and every thrift store purchase helps us open doors for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here in Bismarck — even when the holidays get a little chaotic (as they always do).

Thank you for sticking with us, supporting our mission, and helping create a community where everyone belongs… even when it feels like December is sprinting at us full speed. 💚

Want to support our work this holiday season?
You can make a gift to The Arc of Bismarck here:
👉 https://square.link/u/dTZ2vb3q

11/18/2025

🎄 The holiday season is here… and so is something new.

All year long, your support has helped us open doors for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.

Now we’re getting ready to launch our end-of-year campaign — and let’s just say… closets are opening, doors are too. 💛

10/30/2025

SNAP Benefits at Risk for North Dakotans with Disabilities
The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP (food stamp) benefits may stop on November 1, leaving thousands of North Dakotans — including people with disabilities — without the food support they depend on.

For many, SNAP is essential for meeting basic needs. People with disabilities often are on fixed incomes and may receive only limited support services each week. Some lack nearby family or natural supports, and many are unfamiliar with how to access food banks or community resources if benefits are delayed.

Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not eligible for additional cash funds to be received by a family member to buy food, as this would be recorded as income and would only reduce their future SSI payments.

SSI provides basic income support for essentials such as housing, utilities, and transportation. The average SSI payment in North Dakota is $661.12 for those with a disability. (SSI Monthly Statistics, April 2025)

It’s crucial to understand that SNAP plays a significant role in bridging the financial gap for many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are working. Often in part-time or low-wage positions, their earnings are not enough to meet basic needs. SNAP helps fill this gap, providing essential support. Among all SNAP participants nationwide, about 10% are non-elderly individuals with a disability, and four out of five households include a child, senior, or person with a disability. In North Dakota, 45,167 people across 22,759 households received SNAP in FY2022, with nearly 6,000 adults under 60 identified as having disabilities. (USDA Food and Nutrition Service, USDA SNAP State Fact Sheet)

It is important to recognize that food assistance programs support stability, health, and independence. Many individuals with disabilities contribute to their communities but continue to face financial barriers due to limited work hours, lower wages, and systemic obstacles to full employment.

The Arc of North Dakota urgently calls on Congress to act now. It's crucial to protect government operations and protect access to SNAP. Everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves food security, independence, and dignity.

09/05/2025

Tomorrow is an opportunity for the individuals that don't get to go fishing (due to a disability) to catch some fish. If you know of anyone that would enjoy this event please bring them to the hatchery between 9:00-11:00. The event closes at noon and is catch and release. No Admission

07/31/2025

This letter to the editor in the Bismarck Tribune recognizes our past board president, Carl Young, and their advocacy for individuals impacted by Medicaid cuts. We are grateful for their commitment to our community. Read the full letter here:

President Trump's budget proposal eliminates funding for key programs under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). This includes programs that support access to inclusive education,