North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind - Teen Week & Goalball Event
    •    Dates: March 22-28, 2026
    •    Primary Location: NDVS/SB Campus, 500 Stanford Rd., Grand Forks, ND
    •    Special Activity: Goalball tournament with the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen, SD
    •    Focus: Expanded Core Curriculum instruction, independent living skills, recreation, and peer networking for blind/low‑vision teens.
    •    Contact: NDVS/SB - 701‑795‑2700
    •    Details: https://www.ndvisionservices.com

This reminder is provided so statewide members can schedule paratransit and coordinate travel plans in advance.

New or ongoing North Dakota-relevant disability policy, civil‑rights, and accessibility developments

Government Website Accessibility Rule (ADA Title II)
A major federal ADA rule affecting state and local governments is approaching its first compliance deadline.
    •     The U.S. Department of Justice adopted a rule requiring state and local government websites and mobile apps to meet digital accessibility standards so people with disabilities can access public services online.
    •     For larger public entities, the compliance deadline is April 24 2026.

North Dakota Implementation Issues
Some agencies in North Dakota have reported that older web content may be removed instead of remediated to meet the new accessibility requirements before the deadline.

What we can watch for and do:
    •     Access to public documents, records, and program information may change as agencies adjust websites to comply with the rule.
    •     Help monitor removals to ensure information needed by blind residents remains accessible rather than disappearing.

Section 504 Digital Accessibility Rule for Health & Human Services Programs
A separate federal rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will affect many healthcare and social‑service programs used by disabled North Dakotans.
    •     Programs receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must ensure websites, apps, and digital systems are accessible.
    •     Compliance deadline:
        •     May 11 2026 for organizations with 15+ employees         •     May 10 2027 for smaller entities.

Potential impact:
    •     Hospitals, clinics, insurers, and social‑service providers receiving HHS funds must improve accessibility of online portals and digital tools used by patients and program participants.

North Dakota Transportation ADA Compliance Framework
The North Dakota Department of Transportation maintains an ADA transition plan and nondiscrimination program governing accessible transportation infrastructure and public participation.

Key components include:
    •     ADA transition planning for transportation facilities and programs
    •     Complaint procedures for disability discrimination
    •     Public participation mechanisms for accessibility planning.
 

These plans guide accessible transit stops, roadway design, and related infrastructure improvements across the state.

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind - Family Weekend
    •     Dates: April 10-11, 2026
    •    Location: Fargo, North Dakota
    •    Audience: Families of children who are blind or visually impaired
    •    Purpose: Educational speakers, networking with families statewide, and connection to vision‑related resources.
    •    Details: https://www.ndvisionservices.com/events/family-weekend-2026

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind - Adult Training Week
    •    Dates: May 10-15, 2026
    •    Location: 500 Stanford Rd., Grand Forks, ND
    •    Program: Residential training covering orientation & mobility, assistive technology, daily living skills, and adjustment to vision loss.

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind - Adult Training Week (Late‑May Session)
    •    Dates: May 31 - June 5, 2026
    •    Location: Grand Forks, ND
    •    Focus: Skills training and independence programs for adults experiencing vision loss.

ND Assistive - Assistive Technology Demonstrations & Services
    •    Locations: Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota
    •    Services: Device demonstrations, assistive‑technology loans, specialized phone program, occupational therapy services, and the iCanConnect program for people with combined hearing and vision loss.
    •    Info: https://ndassistive.org/our-services/vision/