ACCSES

On this anniversary of the Rehab Act, it is important to remember that amendments to and interpretations of existing laws can impact communities in ways both good and bad. Stay vigilant and push back on rules that do not make life better for the people the law is designed to serve.

An Excerpt from the poem “Merry Autumn” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Don’t talk to me of solemn days
In autumn’s time of splendor,
Because the sun shows fewer rays,
And these grow slant and slender.

Why, it’s the climax of the year,—
The highest time of living!—
Till naturally its bursting cheer
Just melts into thanksgiving.

Happy Fall, y’all!

Wishing you a meaningful fast and a blessed day.

Registration and the hotel room block are open for the 2026 ACCSES Leadership Summit in Phoenix!

Join leaders at every level for learning, connection, and fresh ideas. Bring your team: purchase two full-price registrations and get the third 50% off. Early-bird member rate: $799 through October 15. Hotel rooms are $239 per night.

Reserve your spot and room today—we’ll see you in Phoenix!

While we are celebrating our Country’s 250th birthday in 2026, our Constitution is much younger. Constitution Day and Citizenship Day mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, signed by 39 members of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.

Upon departing the Convention, Benjamin Franklin famously responded to a question of what the people had been given, a monarchy or a republic, saying, “A republic. If you can keep it.” Wise words of warning to always keep in mind. Today also honors American citizens, both those who were born here and those who have done the work to become naturalized citizens. It is an important day in our history and one we are proud to honor.

Direct Support Professionals work hard, investing their time, energy, hearts, and bodies in the care of others. This week calls attention to their contributions but truly we should be honoring DSPs every day in ways big and small. They make a difference.

Shana Tova! Wishing you a year filled with blessings, sweetness, and light.

On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, we want to take a moment to remember. Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones, to the first responders, and to all the people whose first instinct was “how can I help?” For those of us old enough to remember that terrible day, the details are so stark that it hardly seems possible that 25 years have passed. In the weeks following 9/11, the country stood unified, unbreakable, and resilient. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to hear many of the personal stories of people who died as well as of the first responders – the police, the firefighters, the EMTs, the boat captains, the daily downtown workers, and the physicians, nurses, and therapists who remained a support system for decades. We thank them for their courage and for putting America first. We stand in awe.

🌟 Something new is coming to ACCSES!

Join us for the 2026 ACCSES Leadership Summit, December 1–3 in Phoenix, AZ!

This new take on our traditional Winter Summit is designed for senior and mid-level leaders across the disability services community. Come ready to connect, learn, grow, and build relationships—including opportunities for meaningful mentor/mentee connections.

☀️ Member Early Bird: $799 through Oct. 15
Member: $849 | Non-Member: $899
🏨 Hotel rate: $239/night

Registration and the hotel room block will open soon. Save the date and watch for details!

Happy Labor Day! The creation of this holiday is a wonderful thread in the fabric that makes America special. The idea for a holiday to honor workers was conceived by leaders and activists in the labor force – not the business owners or politicians. It was a movement that gained resonance at the state level first.

As the Department of Labor states in its history of Labor Day, “Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.”

That, friends, is Democracy in Action! Have a wonderful weekend!