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.…
Medicaid Transparency Bill Talking Points ABA Therapy – Helping Students Transition into School Talking Points Intellectual Disability and the Death Penalty Talking Points
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…
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…
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…
I remember the sound of the clock ticking in the principal’s office. The smell of floor wax and pencil shavings. And that small table—just big enough for two embarrassed children trying not to exist. Before free and reduced lunches were available, my brother and I were asked to sit there every day, just outside the…
As The Arc of Indiana celebrates 70 years of empowering people and inspiring change, we want to hear from you! Please share your stories, memories, or experiences where The Arc has made a difference in your life or the life of a loved one, colleague or friend. Whether it’s a story of inclusion, achievement, advocacy,…