Great Plains ADA Center

12/23/2025

Great article in People featuring actor John McGinley as he discusses holiday traditions, including inclusive traditions for his son, Max

John C. McGinley opens up about his family's holiday traditions, including the one his son Max, who has Down syndrome, loves most, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. The 'Scrubs' alum shares 28-year-old Max with his ex, Lauren Lambert.

12/22/2025

Sharing this with all our Centers for Independent Living friends!

RTC:Rural is recruiting CILs to pilot test a transportation voucher toolkit to create their own rural transportation voucher program. Participating CILs will commit 15-20 hours a week in staff time over 2 years to build a local Transportation Interest Network and develop a strategic plan for implementing their voucher program, among other activities. Interested CILs must have rural counties in their region and no existing transportation voucher programs.

To learn more, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTSZs6R6iU3euaeYFlH72coTngOlJGTNmyBtTB7kSbfZD--A/viewform

12/22/2025

in your inbox - the latest issue of our FREE e-newsletter, The ADA Report, is available now! Get the latest information about 2026 National ADA Symposium events, ADA enforcement, new resources, and more!

To view the full issue, visit https://conta.cc/4oZhPxQ

12/22/2025

Thanks to the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council for sharing our snow removal tips for accessibility!

Quick Tips for Small Businesses Some of us love snow-others hate it. Regardless, it has to be shoveled, blown away, or plowed for customers to get around. How a small business owner provides snow removal has a real impact on customers with disabilities, either making it much easier to get into the b...

12/22/2025

Planning on making gingerbread houses this week? Here are some great ideas for planning an accessible, inclusive experience!

Adaptive gingerbread decorating is a holiday activity designed so that individuals of all abilities can participate fully. Modifications might include pre-cut gingerbread shapes, easier-to-handle decorating tools, simplified instructions, or hands-on support, making the experience fun, creative, and accessible for everyone.

12/21/2025

Missouri friends! Here's an awesome opportunity for veterans and veterans with disabilities in the state! Registration is open for the 2026 Heroes to Hives of Missouri program!

Registration is open for the 2026 Heroes to Hives program! The self-paced, online course runs from March to November, and is for veterans who wish to learn more about beekeeping.

Learn more: extension.missouri.edu/news/registration-open-for-2026-heroes-to-hives-program

12/21/2025

Dr. Temple Grandin's portrait has been added to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. John Yang of PBS sat down with Grandin for an interview that's spotlighted this weekend!

Four new portraits have gone up at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, showcasing this year’s recipients of the Portrait of America award for their transformative contributions to American history and culture. One of them is Temple Grandin, who has transformed animal welfare around the worl...

12/20/2025

Important mental health resource available for

Virtual Healing: Veterans Find Real Support in a Virtual World

Transitioning from military to civilian life can feel isolating, and connection and healing can start in unexpected places.

Veterans can use Innerworld, an anonymous, peer-supported virtual platform, to connect, share experiences, and find guided events on topics like trauma, loss, and recovery.

Accessible by phone, tablet, or VR headset, Innerworld provides a safe and welcoming environment designed by mental-health experts.

Learn more here: VA Immersive https://www.innovation.va.gov/hil/views/immersive/immersive.html

12/20/2025

the Federal Communications Commission published a public notice on December 1 regarding audio description. Get the details in this informative post from our friends at the Great Lakes ADA Center

On December 1, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice (PN) reminding broadcast television stations about the audio description requirements adopted in its October 17, 2023 Report and Order.

The 2023 Audio Description Order is an FCC rule that expands where audio description is required. It includes the next group of TV markets that will be legally required to provide audio-described programming beginning January 1, 2026.

Audio description is the narrated description of visual elements in TV programming for people who are blind or have low vision. DMAs (Designated Market Areas) are TV market regions defined by The Nielsen Company (used industry-wide to determine local broadcast markets).

Learn more about the Public Notice (PN) and the TV markets (DMAs) it covers: bit.ly/PN-FCC.
Learn more about audio description from FCC: bit.ly/FCC-audio-d.

12/19/2025

Looking for something to stream this weekend? Check out the latest titles with audio description on Netflix

Netflix Fans: Check out new titles with Audio Description!

City of Shadows [2025 Series, rated TV-MA, Thriller]
Elmo and Mark Rober's Merry Giftmas [2025 Movie, rated TV-G, Kids & Family]
House of Gucci [2021 Movie, rated R, Drama]
Man Vs Baby [2025 Series, rated TV-PG, Comedy]
Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within [2025 Movie, rated PG, Documentary]
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie [2023 Movie, rated PG, Kids & Family]
Robby Hoffman: Wake Up [2025 Movie, rated TV-MA, Stand-up]
Simon Cowell: The Next Act [2025 Series, rated TV-MA, Documentary]
The Hustle [2019 Movie, rated PG-13, Comedy]
The Talented Mr. Ripley [1999 Movie, rated R, Thriller]
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery [2025 Movie, rated PG-13, Drama]

https://adp.acb.org/adp-search?provider_filter%5Bnetflix%5D=netflix

12/19/2025

We always love featuring disability rights pioneer, Judy Heumann - check out this great post from the American Experience | PBS honoring her birthday