Welcome to the 2021 version of the APRIL conference from the Executive Director. 

 Hello APRIL Friends!
It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. But here we are hosting our second virtual conference. I, like many of you, am looking forward to the opportunity to be in the same room and break bread like old times, but patience is a virtue. This year’s theme of Showing
Grace by Staying in Place may have special meaning this year. With the new COVID variant wreaking havoc across the nation, it is imperative that we each do our part to minimalize the spread.
It has not been all gloom and doom. APRIL members are a resilient group when faced with adversity and are always searching for solutions. This year has shown us creativity and collaboration on an unprecedented scale. The ability to move people out of congregate settings during this pandemic has been nothing short of miraculous. But this could not have occurred without APRIL members freely sharing their collective knowledge. We are delighted to have you as part of the APRIL conference. We have numerous workshops on a wide variety of topics for beginners all the way to the seasoned veteran.

And it wouldn’t be APRIL if we didn’t have a fantastic youth conference on tap as well: Expect the Unexpected.
Thank you all for your tremendous advocacy,

Billy Altom
Executive Director, APRIL

Welcome to the 27th Annual APRIL Conference from the APRIL Board President. 

I officially became the President of the Board of APRIL on January 1^st, 2020. At that time, I looked forward to using my skills and passion to do what I could to make APRIL a stronger organization and through that, strengthen the Independent Living network across the country. 

Then our world turned upside down.

As we gather, virtually, for our second pandemic era conference, I reflect on how much the world has changed. We are not now, nor will ever be the same as we were at the beginning of 2020. Too much has happened, too much tragedy, too much loss, too much fear, and too much uncertainty to ever be the same as before.

The isolation of the past two years has reinforced our shared need for community. We need the opportunity to connect with our loved ones, both in our individual communities, and from throughout the country. We need the opportunity to participate, for purposes of entertainment, employment, and civic engagement.

We have a deeper understanding of the importance of needed accessible and affordable medical care, for food security, for safe communities.

Everything that has happened over the past two years has reinforced the need for an organization like APRIL and the need for a national conference like this. As we gather for the second year in a row, not in a hotel or event center, but in our offices or in our homes, we adapt in a way that allows us to sustain our community.

A community that is more valuable than ever. 

Scott Burlingame,

APRIL Board President

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