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…
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.…
The Arc of Indiana welcomes today’s announcement by Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Secretary Mitch Roob that the planned 10% Medicaid rate cut for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy will be reduced to 6%. The announcement was made at FSSA’s Quarterly Financial Review meeting. Families and advocates had raised concerns that a 10% cut…
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…
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…
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…
Under a new process established by the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS), individuals who want to transition from a Supervised Group Living (SGL) setting to the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waiver must reside in an SGL setting for a minimum of 365 consecutive days before being eligible to apply for a CIH waiver. This requirement…
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…
What Individuals, Families, and Guardians Need to Know Medicaid Waivers (also called Home and Community-Based Services) provide Medicaid health coverage, as well as supports and services that help people with disabilities live at home and participate in their communities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved several updates to Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver programs that take effect December 31, 2025. …
Indiana’s Bureau of Disability Services (BDS) is launching a review process of high-cost Medicaid Waiver service plans, and has also issued guidance on transportation. High-Cost Waiver Service Plans BDS has issued advisory memos for providers and families regarding review of high-cost Medicaid Waiver service plans. BDS’s memo states, “BDS is taking a proactive look at…