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As part of the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s effort to develop a Statewide Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan and the first North Dakota Intercity Bus Plan, DOT is collecting input from residents, riders, human-service agencies, transportation providers, and community leaders. Please take a few moments to share your experiences and ideas by January 15, 2026 .

If need assistance with the survey please contact Options, IRCIL at 218-773-6100 or our text line 701-864-0296.

The MN SILC is conducting a Civil Rights survey! Your voice matters—help identify barriers and shape solutions. Take part today and make a difference in accessibility and inclusion.

NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 2, 2025

NDDOT seeks input to shape future of transportation in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Transportation is seeking public input to develop the Statewide Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan and the first North Dakota Intercity Bus Plan.

The plans will identify critical mobility needs and opportunities for improvement, especially for older adults, people with disabilities, and residents in rural communities. They also fulfill federal planning requirements that allow North Dakota to access vital funding to support transportation services across the state.

“We invite you to participate in one of eight regional workshops, where you can share your insights and priorities,” said Becky Hanson, NDDOT transit program manager. “The workshop will focus on mobility challenges for people in your region, gaps in service, challenges to coordination, actions that could be implemented by local agencies and organizations within the region, and the needs for intercity services or connections to more distant places.”

Each workshop will include a presentation of the purposes of the study followed by a facilitated discussion. Workshops will be held both in-person and online.

Workshops will take place:

October 9 – 2-4 p.m. CT, Barnes County Senior Center, 139 2nd Ave SE, Valley City, ND October 17 – 2-4 p.m. CT, Cities Area Transit Building, 867 48th St., Grand Forks, ND October 27 – 2-4 p.m. CT, Senior Meals & Services, 202 4th Ave NE., Devils Lake, ND October 28 – 9 -11 a.m. MT, Commission Room, City Hall, 38 1st Street West, Dickinson, ND October 28 – 2-4 p.m., CT Veterans Memorial Public Library, Meeting Room C, Bismarck, ND October 29 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT, Fargo Public Library - Main Library, Community Room, 101 4th St N, Fargo, ND November 3 – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. CT, Minot Public Library, North Meeting Room, Minot, ND November 3 – 3-5 p.m. CT, Williston Senior Center, 18 Main St., Williston, ND

“Your involvement is essential to ensure these plans reflect the needs of communities across North Dakota,” said Hanson. “Please join us at the workshop most relevant to your service area and feel free to share this invitation with others who care about transportation in our state.”

Input provided will help the NDDOT:

Strengthen long-distance and intercity connections for North Dakota Residents.

Evaluate how well existing transportation services are working.

Identify needs for additional services and future improvements.

More information about this project can be found at www.dot.nd.gov/transit-coordination-and-intercity-bus.

The NDDOT will consider every request for reasonable accommodation to provide an accessible meeting facility or other accommodation for people with disabilities. Language interpretation and translation services will be available upon request for this meeting.

To request accommodations, contact Heather Christianson, Civil Rights Division, NDDOT, at 701-328-2978 or [email protected]. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888.

CONTACT:

David Finley [email protected] 701-328-4444

Sarah Arntson [email protected] 701-328-6965

Nicole Peske [email protected] 701-328-4322

Options will be hosting it's 30th annual accessible deer hunt at the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge.

It is with great sadness that we must announce that one of our former employees and ADAPT member, Gordie Haug Sr., recently passed away. He worked for Options for about 21 years and retired in June 2022.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for input from people with disabilities about how to relay access information to the public.

If you need assistance, please get in touch with Options and ask for Heather at 218-773-6100 or 800-726-3692.

Remembering Ed Roberts on his birthday today!

Ed was a pioneering leader of the disability rights movement in the 1960s. He is often referred to as the father of the independent living movement. He was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the University of California, Berkley, where he had to overcome barriers to attend school. At that time, the University was not accessible. Ed had to fight to gain admission into the University because of his disability. The dorms could not house his iron lung, so he had to stay in the infirmary.

Ed Roberts and some other students founded the first Center for Independent Living (CIL), the first independent living service and advocacy program run by and for people with disabilities. The group fought for access to community life with curb cuts and wheelchair access. He moved the yardstick for individuals with disabilities regarding how they are perceived and the barriers they face - such as societal attitudes, architecture, and communication. Ed showed the world that a disability did not have to be a restriction and to never give up.

Self-Advocacy Academy adds Creative Writing Intensive to courses that start in September.

The Department of Justice seeks public comment on the proposed rule of strengthening web and mobile app access for people with disabilities. You can click the following link to find more information and where to send your comments.

MN OIO Workforce Shortage and People with Disabilities Community Input EventThe Olmstead Implementation Office is excited to host a virtual Community Input Event on February 7, 2023 about the current workforce shortage and people with disabilities. 

This online event is an opportunity for members of the public to share their feedback and experiences. We invite you as Community Partners to attend and encourage you to help promote this Community Input Event to the individuals you serve.

Community Input Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, February 7 

• Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. C.T. 

• For more information and to register please go to:https://mn.gov/olmstead/get-involved/index/workforce/

The information gathered at this event will help the Workforce Shortage and People with Disabilities Workgroup. They will use this information to recommend changes to the Olmstead Plan.

Remembering Ed Roberts on his birthday today! Ed was a pioneering leader of the disability rights movement in the 1960s. He is often referred to as the father of the independent living movement. He was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the University of California, Berkley, where he had to overcome barriers to attend school. At that time the University was not accessible. Ed had to fight to gain admission into the University because of his disability. The dorms could not house his iron lung so he had to stay in the infirmary. Ed Roberts and some other students founded the first Center for Independent Living (CIL), the first independent living service and advocacy program run by and for people with disabilities. The group fought for access to community life with curb cuts and wheelchair access. He moved the yard stick for individuals with disabilities in terms of how they are perceived and the barriers they face - such as societal attitudes, architecture and communication. Ed was able to show the world that a disability did not have to be a restriction and to never give up. 

“You personally have to believe in yourself to make it happen.” – Ed Roberts