APRIL Logo with the words, "The United Voice of Independent Living in Rural America."

Call for Pre-Conference Proposals Now Open!

The APRIL Pre-Conference is held on the Friday before the General Conference which starts on Saturday October 12th and ends Sunday evening October 13th.  The APRIL Pre-Conference generally runs all day.  There is some flexibility with the time (example: 10AM - 3PM, etc.). We are always looking for hot topics on current events in Independent Living that we can disseminate to a larger general session including CIL / SILC staff, board and Executive Directors across the board. 


Some possible topics might include:

  • Social Isolation
  • Board Development
  • Systems Change Advocacy
  • Food Insecurity
  • Becoming a 501(c)(3)
  • Developing a Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) (or other programs) in your state
  • Complying with Standards and Indicators of a CIL


CLICK HERE to learn more about submitting a proposal.

 

Due no later than August 16, 2024.

 

 

Call for Workshop Proposals for 30th Annual APRIL Conference Now Open!

Click on the image below to be taken to our Conference 2024 page and the link for the Call for Workshop Proposals.

Due no later than August 16, 2024.

30th Annual APRIL Conference. Sharing Pearls of Wisdom in Chicago. All "o's" in the words are pearls. Outline skyline of Chicago in blue color is at the bottom of the image and says "2024" with a star made of pearls.

 

 

Welcome APRIL's new Executive Director, Joan LaBelle

 

After conducting a rigorous national search, receiving many applications from well qualified applicants from across the country and holding multiple stages of interviews, the APRIL Board is thrilled to announce the hiring of Joan LaBelle as our new Executive Director!

 

Joan is no stranger to APRIL.  In fact, this is a coming home of sorts.  Joan served on APRIL’s Board of Directors and co-led several of the first APRIL Conferences. Joan has been a part of the APRIL family since its humble beginnings and APRIL has always been near and dear to her heart.

Joan brings a wealth of personal and professional Independent Living experience to APRIL.  She’s a person living with a disability and has lived rural experience.  

She has served as a CIL Executive Director, a CIL Director of Public Policy and Consumer Engagement, a CIL Chief Programs Officer, a SILC member, has provided IL consulting and is a Certified ADA Coordinator. 

The APRIL Board is confident that APRIL and the Independent  Living Movement will flourish under Joan’s leadership.