Indiana’s leading organizations advocating for and representing people with disabilities and their families across the state have joined together to form the Indiana Disability Alliance, a new statewide coalition focused on advancing policies that support independence, inclusion, and opportunity. The Alliance brings together a diverse group of respected organizations: Autism Society of Indiana — Courtney…
Advocacy
The Arc of Indiana Applauds AG Rokita’s Decision to Withdraw from Texas v. Kennedy
The Arc of Indiana is pleased to share our great appreciation for Attorney General Todd Rokita’s decision to withdraw Indiana from Texas v. Kennedy, a multi-state lawsuit challenging key provisions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act final rule, including protections against unnecessary institutionalization of people with…
Help Protect Home and Community-Based Services
Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver services help people with disabilities live, learn, work, and participate in their communities. As policymakers consider changes to these programs, they must hear directly from the people and families who rely on them or are waiting to access them.Please share how Medicaid and/or Waiver services have impacted your life or the…
Kurt’s Story – The Power of Support and Connection
In 1985, Jeff and Sue traveled to Riley Hospital in search of answers about their three-year-old son, Kurt. The diagnosis they received, autism, came with a long list of everything doctors said Kurt would never do. They were even told he could be placed in an institution that very day. Jeff and Sue didn’t hesitate.…
The Arc of Greater Indianapolis – Tribute to The Arc of Indiana
Noble/The Arc of Greater Indianapolis, founded in 1953, is proud of its long history as a chapter of The Arc. For 70 years, The Arc of Indiana has been an incredibly powerful advocate for people with disabilities and their families, driven to protect the rights that are an intrinsic part of the human experience. More…
Evan’s Story – The Power of Belief
In 2004, at the age of 40, Carole was overjoyed to be pregnant for the first time. Although she understood the potential risks, prenatal testing was never something she considered. This was her child, and she embraced whatever the future would bring. When Evan was born with Down syndrome, Carole continued forward exactly as she…
The Arc of Indiana Statement on WSJ Reporting on Autism Therapy Medicaid Billing
Kim Dodson, CEO The Arc of Indiana is a nonprofit organization that advocates on issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We represent the people currently utilizing Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver services, as well as those who are waiting for these services. The recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporting on…
Bobbie Jo’s Story – Given a Chance
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 me a…
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.…