Blog
Valentine’s Day at the Statehouse 2026
Valentine’s Day at the Statehouse 2026! A big thank you to chapters of The Arc of Indiana, Self-Advocates of Indiana, and other organizations for joining in Valentine’s Day at the Statehouse, where connections are made with legislators and state leaders to thank them for their work and raise awareness of The Arc and SAI. ADEC/The…
When We Stop Hiding, Change Begins
For years, I hid. Not because I was ashamed of my son—but because I was exhausted by the judgment. The looks. The unsolicited advice. The quiet assumptions that if I just disciplined him more, corrected him sooner, or tried harder, the behaviors would disappear. People only saw what was happening on the outside. They didn’t…
Abby’s Story: What Advocacy Made Possible
When Abby entered the world, not many people gave her a chance. Born at 29 weeks, one of triplets, she battled the challenges of both prematurity and a heart defect, something common in babies with Down syndrome. One doctor said if she survived, she’d be a “vegetable.” This wasn’t the 1950s – it was 2003.…
Legislative Talking Points
Medicaid Transparency Bill Talking Points ABA Therapy – Helping Students Transition into School Talking Points Intellectual Disability and the Death Penalty Talking Points
Advocacy Training Opportunity!
NATIONAL DISABILITY LEADERSHIP SERIES VIRTUAL Training on Disability Advocacy and Action for Inclusion in School, Work, and Community Do you want to grow your advocacy and leadership skills? Apply to take part in the National Disability Leadership Services by February 15, 2026. This 10-month online program, May 2026 – February 2027, will help you grow…
Self-Advocacy in Action Toolkit
Staying engaged in the advocacy process is vital, especially for individuals with disabilities and their families. You are the expert in your own life. Your voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you can help shape policies that improve not only your life but also the lives of others in your community. Self-Advocates of Indiana, in partnership with The Arc…
When Advocacy Says “So …” : Protest as Love in Action
Honoring those who show up, speak out, and protect dignity in a space where silence has cost too much. Advocacy isn’t “Because I say so.” It’s “So, this must be said.” In December, I sat in a room filled with applause, warm plates, and long-earned recognition—and felt the weight of how rare moments like this…
When a Community Chooses to See: How Jeffrey’s Story Reveals the Gaps in Safety, Services, and Public Understanding
Recently, Indiana learned the devastating news that 15-year-old Jeffrey Epps, a nonverbal autistic teenager, was found deceased after wandering from home in Baldwin County, Georgia. His death appears accidental, but it reveals a deeper truth that families like his live with every single day: the world is not yet built for their children. Parents of…
When Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Hope
A Time of Courage, Connection, and the Power of Showing Up Lately, I’ve been thinking about how fragile things feel. How families are holding their breath as headlines talk about shutdowns, cuts, delays, and dwindling support. How caregivers wake up every day and do the work anyway — even when systems make it harder than…