Annual APRIL Conference
October 23 - 25, 2026
Niagara Falls, New York
We are excited to invite you to the 32nd Annual APRIL National Conference, taking place October 23–25, 2026 (with Pre-Conference and Youth Conference activities on October 23) in Niagara Falls, New York. This year's theme, "FALL into APRIL: Facilitate • Advocate • Learn • Lead," promises another outstanding opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen the Independent Living movement together.
This year’s conference hotel is: Sheraton Niagara Falls
Click Here to Visit the Website to Book a Room with the APRIL Room Block Rate
300 3rd Street Niagara Falls, NY 14303 Sheraton Niagara Falls
This year’s conference will be held at: Niagara Falls Convention Center
101 Old Falls Street Niagara Falls, NY 14303 Niagara Falls Convention Center
[The Convention Center is conveniently located directly across the street from the Sheraton and is very easily accessible]
Welcome from the Executive Director
Welcome to APRIL’s 32nd Annual National Conference on Rural Independent Living in beautiful Niagara Falls, NY! This year’s theme is: FALL into APRIL: Facilitate • Advocate • Learn • Lead,"
Thank you so much for being here! APRIL is so grateful for your continued support and collaboration in this mission we hold so dearly: Independent Living.
I want to take a moment to remember and celebrate the lives of the disability rights leaders who left us this year. We honor their contributions and the legacies they left us to carry on.
I am looking forward to networking with you all and discussing our Call to Action priorities and plans to build a more equitable, fair and just society! Now is the time to create the world we all dream of having!
We have an incredible line-up of speakers and workshops for you this year. We hope your experience is a fabulous and gratifying one filled with networking opportunities, sharing of ideas, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. If this is your first APRIL Conference: WELCOME!!! You are among family here and we sincerely hope that you feel the love we have to share. Please take advantage of this opportunity to meet and share ideas with your colleagues from all over the country.
I want to sincerely thank all of our conference sponsors for making this event possible, but most importantly, thank you all for being here and for all the things you do in your community to enrich the lives of our fellow people with disabilities. Together we have incredible power to make change!
We need solidarity now more than ever. Our unified voice has the ability to ripple out into the collective and crack open the toughest of spaces! Onward we go!
Remember to exercise your right to VOTE this November 3rd. In the words of Justin Dart: Vote like your life depends on it…. BECAUSE IT DOES!!!
Elissa Ellis, APRIL Executive Director
2026 APRIL Conference: Updated Information for Accessible Transportation Options in Niagara Falls, NY
From Western New York Independent Living, Inc.:
If you are paratransit eligible where you live, you can schedule with Paratransit Access Line (PAL) in Buffalo, but you need to set it up in advance.
The phone number is 716-855-7268. This is one of the least expensive options.
Transit buses are accessible and there are some that are available at the airport. People will need to look up the route that they are taking, but when you exit the airport, turn left and you will see buses a short way down. This is the least expensive option.
WNYIL has accessible transportation, also. However, we are currently extremely short staffed. Depending on the time that people get in, we may be able to help. Our number is 716-836-0822 ext. 108to schedule a ride with Christian. He will take the request and get back to them to let them know if we have a driver available. Our fee is $20 plus $.50 per mile for a one-way trip. We will bill the individual; they do not need to pay in advance.
There are private companies that provide accessible transportation. Cedar Bus 716-898-7900. Aries transportation 716-362-9701. This is the most expensive option. The prices vary, so they would need to be contacted ahead of time. These companies collect payment at the time of booking.