Bobbie Jo The Arc of Indiana took a chance and hired me as their front desk coordinator. I was a team member from April 2014 to April 2019. I had been out of the administrative field for 4 years and was seeking with all my heart to find something. The Arc came along and gave…
Advocacy
Waiver Amendment Public Comment Period Extended & Webinar Opportunities
On February 12, the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) announced the opening of the public comment period for upcoming amendments to the Community Integration and Habilitation waiver, Family Supports waiver, Health and Wellness waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury, and 1915 b(4) waivers. On February 18, BDS announced the public comment period has been extended through March…
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.…
Advocacy Works! Good News on ABA Rates!
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…
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…
Texas v. Becerra – Section 504 Challenge
Texas v. Becerra is a federal lawsuit originally filed by 17 states, including Indiana, challenging the Section 504 rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in May 2024. While the lawsuit initially focused on the rule’s mention of gender dysphoria, the original complaint went much further, seeking to invalidate the Final…
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…