I'm not sure if your '96 wiper arms are the same as my '88 -- I know they changed by 2000, but not sure when.
On mine, there is a sliding retainer at the base of the arm, where it fits over the post. You have to pry that up/out (at 90 degrees to the length of the arm) with a small screwdriver. Once you get the arm off, you'll see that little bar slides under the base of the post to retain the arm.