This chapter of Self Advocates of Indiana meets the second and fourth Thursdays each month. All self-advocates are invited. You do not need to be a client of Wabash Center.

For more information contact Rhonda Hicks, rhicks@wabashcenter.com.

Meet new friends for good conversation!

The group meets the 2nd Thursday each month at Cafe Literato in West Lafayette.

For more information contact Rachel at 815-353-0985 or rndebelak@gmail.com.

Bringing together adults for social opportunities here in Lafayette.

Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month.

For more information, contact Heather at heathermocnysbs@gmail.com.

The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, Down Syndrome Indiana and Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council invite you to join us as we unveil the 2026 Disability Community of Indiana Public Policy Agenda. This important webinar will highlight the collective priorities of Indiana’s disability community as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

During this session, we will:

·        Share the key policy issues and priorities that impact Hoosiers with disabilities and their families.

·        Discuss strategies for advancing disability rights and protecting essential supports.

·        Provide advocacy tools and tips for engaging with legislators.

·        Highlight opportunities for self-advocates, families, and allies to get involved in shaping public policy.

Together, we can ensure that the voices of people with disabilities remain at the forefront of Indiana’s legislative process.

Free registration.

The Indiana Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) is planning to create new home and community-based service waivers to improve services. This is known as the “waiver reset.”

In 2027, BDS plans to move people accessing services on the current four waivers into the new waivers. BDS is still working on figuring out what the new waivers will be like.

To help, BDS has been working with the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) to host conversations about what changes are needed. Based on the feedback received, HSRI will develop recommendations for the waiver reset.

During the December 5th call, HSRI will provide an overview of the waiver reset, answer questions, and listen to feedback from the community about suggested changes to the waivers.

Who can participate?

• People accessing services who have physical disabilities (under age 60); intellectual and developmental disabilities; and traumatic brain injuries

• Family members

• HCBS service providers

• HCBS case managers

What will we talk about?

• What is and isn’t going well with services

• Suggestions for changes to the BDS waivers

Information to participate

• Register to participate at the following link:

• Once you have registered, please scroll down in the Zoom confirmation email and add it to your calendar.

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions will be provided.

Presented by Autism Society of Indiana.

Free registration.

Please join us at our Impact Awards Celebration as we honor individuals making an impact in the lives of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities & their families!

Learn more and register here: https://www.arcind.org/events/impact-awards-celebration

The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, Down Syndrome Indiana and Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council invite you to join us for a critical webinar addressing the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

This session will:

·        Provide an overview of the proposed changes and what they mean for Medicaid users in Indiana.

·        Explore how these cuts could affect essential services such as ABA therapy, personal care supports, and long-term services and supports.

·        Offer practical strategies for effectively advocating to legislators and decision-makers.

·        Share tools and resources to help families and self-advocates make their voices heard.

Now more than ever, united advocacy is essential to protect the rights and supports of Hoosiers with disabilities. Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, service provider, or ally, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to take action.

Free registration.

Join the Autism Society of Indiana on December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM for an informative Family Support Waiver Workshop. This event will guide individuals with autism and their families through the process of understanding and navigating Indiana’s Family Support Waiver (FSW).

Free registration.

This workshop will discuss what a Life Care Plan is and the steps recommended to create one for a loved one with special needs. As a caregiver of a dependent with special needs the single most important issue on your mind, regardless of the age of the dependent, is what will happen to my dependent after I’m gone. There are some needs that will always be present, and they must be carefully considered and planned for appropriately.

In this workshop you will learn how to plan for your loved one’s future and the stages in the Life Care Planning process. We’ll discuss comprehensive steps, available resources, and necessary tools to help develop your personal agenda - a customized path that will keep you on track as you consider what’s right for your situation. Following the planning stages can help ensure the type of care and quality of life for your loved one’s well-being today and tomorrow.

Presented by IN*SOURCE.

Free registration.

The premier autism and disabilities virtual conference!

November 18 - November 21.

Visit https://ocali.org/ for more information.

The Indiana Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) is working to improve the services that help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.

To help, the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) and Aligned Consulting Collaborative (Aligned) will host conversations throughout the state to learn from people receiving services, families, service providers, and case managers about what changes are needed. Based on the feedback received, HSRI and Aligned will develop recommendations for the service system.

Join one, or both, of these feedback sessions:

Click to register for Monday, November 17, 2025 6-7:30pm
Click to register for Wednesday, November 19, 2025 6-7:30pm

In recognition of National Alzheimer's Awareness and Family Caregivers Month, IPMG will be hosting a webinar that will explore the role of the caregiver and changes they may experience, building a support team and managing caregiver stress.

Learning objectives include:

• Identify the role of caregivers.

• Explain relationship changes that may happen over time while you are caregiving.

• Describe the five areas of the person-centered care approach.

• Identify possible members of a caregiving support team.

• And list action steps that help lower caregiver stress.

Presented by IPMG.

Free registration.

This chapter of Self Advocates of Indiana meets the second and fourth Thursdays each month. All self-advocates are invited. You do not need to be a client of Wabash Center.

For more information contact Rhonda Hicks, rhicks@wabashcenter.com.

Meet new friends for good conversation!

The group meets the 2nd Thursday each month at Cafe Literato in West Lafayette.

For more information contact Rachel at 815-353-0985 or rndebelak@gmail.com.

Now more than ever, it’s essential for individuals with disabilities and their families to come together and speak with one powerful, united voice. The programs and services that support our community and help people live their best lives depend on it.

Join advocacy leaders from The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, and Down Syndrome Indiana, to learn how you can make a difference. Whether you're new to advocacy or ready to take your efforts to the next level, these sessions will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to be an effective advocate. 

Free registration.

You are to invited the Self-Advocates Group Craft Bazaar on Saturday, November 1st, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM! This event will feature numerous talented local creators and crafters showcasing a variety of handmade goods. It’s a great opportunity to support local artisans while also finding something special for yourself or loved ones.

Important Details:

• Vendors: A diverse group of vendors will be attending, and please note that some may only accept cash payments, so plan accordingly.

• Food Drive: In addition to the bazaar, the Self-Advocates Group is hosting a food drive for Food Finders to support our community. We encourage you to bring non-perishable food donations to contribute to this cause.

For more information contact Grace Jackson, Program Development Manager for Wabash Center

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014) outlined practices to be utilized by Vocational Rehabilitation and other service providers to increase integrated competitive employment. Now many personal examples of this increased employment have been shared through social media, websites, and agencies. This presentation will discuss themes and other data gathered through analysis of publicly available successful employment stories. The goal will be a summary of information and data about best practices in supported and customized employment provided through personal stories.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Participants will learn about the broad opportunities for supported and customized employment throughout the nations via the personal stories analyzed for the presentation.

• Best practices will be shared that are gathered via the analysis of personal stories.

• Information about the diversity of the individuals, the diversity of geographical areas, and an increased amount of stories will be shared.

Presented by TASH50.

Free registration.

Learn how early and ongoing benefits counseling empowers those considering work. Learn how to reject common myths about benefits and going to work.​ Understand the difference between SSI & SSDI. Understand which healthcare benefit (Medicaid and Medicare) goes with which SSA benefit. Learn asset-building options to assist with benefits. Learn about the advantages and find out how to access benefits counseling in Indiana.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

Free registration.

When Danilyn Rutherford and her husband Craig noticed that their six-month-old daughter Millie wasn’t making eye contact, they took her to their pediatrician. And an optometrist. Then a neurologist. Later, to a team of physical and occupational therapists. None of the doctors could give Millie a diagnosis, but it was clear that her brain was not developing at the rate it should. At an age when some children take their first steps, Millie had the cognitive ability and motor skills of a three-month-old. Three years later, Craig died suddenly of a heart attack and Danilyn found herself on the precipice of her anthropology career as a widow and single mother, still trying to solve the puzzle posed by Millie’s inaccessible mind.

Now in her twenties, Millie has never been able to express herself verbally, but she has a thriving social environment rooted in the people around her and in things her companions and family can see, hear, smell, and feel. Life in Millie’s world is far richer than might be immediately evident to those who think and communicate in conventional ways.

Beautiful Mystery explores what it means to be a person in the spaces between what we can and cannot say, and how we can fight to care for those we love when they don’t have the language to fight for themselves. Through her unique lens as a mother and an anthropologist, Rutherford tells the story of arriving in Millie’s world, what she found there, and how Millie showed her that words aren’t always what makes us human. Enlightening and deeply felt, Beautiful Mystery proves that you don’t have to understand someone to love them—a lesson that, if we all learned it, might allow us to live together in a fractured world.

The lecture will last about 40 minutes, with a discussion and reception following.

Sponsored by the Purdue University Department of Anthropology.

This chapter of Self Advocates of Indiana meets the second and fourth Thursdays each month. All self-advocates are invited. You do not need to be a client of Wabash Center.

For more information contact Rhonda Hicks, rhicks@wabashcenter.com.

Meet new friends for good conversation!

The group meets the 2nd Thursday each month at Cafe Literato in West Lafayette.

For more information contact Rachel at 815-353-0985 or rndebelak@gmail.com.

The Center on Community Living and Careers is proud to deliver Family Employment Awareness Trainings (FEAT) to Hoosier families, their young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them.

Indiana is one of five states offering FEAT as a way to increase expectations and support for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. FEAT’s goals are in keeping with those of the state of Indiana, which supports Employment First—real work in the community for real wages—as a first option for young adults transitioning from high school.

FEAT Indiana is designed to increase family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment. Training includes individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employers, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. FEAT training facilitators follow up with technical assistance sessions to support participants in taking steps toward achieving competitive integrated employment.

Topics covered include:

• Indiana’s Employment First policy;

• Outside-the-box employment possibilities;

• Success stories;

• Family/parent role in supporting employment;

• Transition to adulthood (healthcare, work, postsecondary education/training);

• Employee and employer resources;

• Information to support gaining and maintaining employment; and

• Antidiscrimination laws.

Join us for these upcoming sessions:

• Monday, September 29: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment

• Tuesday, September 30: Individual Employment Possibilities

• Wednesday, October 1: Employer and Employee Supports

• Monday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid

• Tuesday, October 7: Benefits

• Wednesday, October 8: Local and State Agency Presenters

All sessions are 6-8pm.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

More information and free registration.

This training offers valuable insights into the tools, technologies, and resources that enhance independence and quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments. Whether you are a healthcare provider, vocational rehabilitation counselor, professional supporting individuals with disabilities, or someone personally navigating mobility challenges, this session will provide practical knowledge and strategies you can use right away.

By participating in this FREE training, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of mobility solutions and how to match the right tools to individual needs. You’ll also strengthen your ability to empower individuals with greater independence while enhancing your own professional expertise. This training is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, stay current with best practices, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you support.

This event will also be streamed live via Zoom and can be accessed at www.eastersealstech.com/live. Registration is required for both in-person and online webinar attendance.

Presented by Easterseals Crossroads.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Center on Community Living and Careers is proud to deliver Family Employment Awareness Trainings (FEAT) to Hoosier families, their young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them.

Indiana is one of five states offering FEAT as a way to increase expectations and support for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. FEAT’s goals are in keeping with those of the state of Indiana, which supports Employment First—real work in the community for real wages—as a first option for young adults transitioning from high school.

FEAT Indiana is designed to increase family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment. Training includes individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employers, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. FEAT training facilitators follow up with technical assistance sessions to support participants in taking steps toward achieving competitive integrated employment.

Topics covered include:

• Indiana’s Employment First policy;

• Outside-the-box employment possibilities;

• Success stories;

• Family/parent role in supporting employment;

• Transition to adulthood (healthcare, work, postsecondary education/training);

• Employee and employer resources;

• Information to support gaining and maintaining employment; and

• Antidiscrimination laws.

Join us for these upcoming sessions:

• Monday, September 29: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment

• Tuesday, September 30: Individual Employment Possibilities

• Wednesday, October 1: Employer and Employee Supports

• Monday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid

• Tuesday, October 7: Benefits

• Wednesday, October 8: Local and State Agency Presenters

All sessions are 6-8pm.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

More information and free registration.

The Center on Community Living and Careers is proud to deliver Family Employment Awareness Trainings (FEAT) to Hoosier families, their young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them.

Indiana is one of five states offering FEAT as a way to increase expectations and support for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. FEAT’s goals are in keeping with those of the state of Indiana, which supports Employment First—real work in the community for real wages—as a first option for young adults transitioning from high school.

FEAT Indiana is designed to increase family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment. Training includes individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employers, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. FEAT training facilitators follow up with technical assistance sessions to support participants in taking steps toward achieving competitive integrated employment.

Topics covered include:

• Indiana’s Employment First policy;

• Outside-the-box employment possibilities;

• Success stories;

• Family/parent role in supporting employment;

• Transition to adulthood (healthcare, work, postsecondary education/training);

• Employee and employer resources;

• Information to support gaining and maintaining employment; and

• Antidiscrimination laws.

Join us for these upcoming sessions:

• Monday, September 29: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment

• Tuesday, September 30: Individual Employment Possibilities

• Wednesday, October 1: Employer and Employee Supports

• Monday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid

• Tuesday, October 7: Benefits

• Wednesday, October 8: Local and State Agency Presenters

All sessions are 6-8pm.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

More information and free registration.

The Center on Community Living and Careers is proud to deliver Family Employment Awareness Trainings (FEAT) to Hoosier families, their young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them.

Indiana is one of five states offering FEAT as a way to increase expectations and support for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. FEAT’s goals are in keeping with those of the state of Indiana, which supports Employment First—real work in the community for real wages—as a first option for young adults transitioning from high school.

FEAT Indiana is designed to increase family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment. Training includes individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employers, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. FEAT training facilitators follow up with technical assistance sessions to support participants in taking steps toward achieving competitive integrated employment.

Topics covered include:

• Indiana’s Employment First policy;

• Outside-the-box employment possibilities;

• Success stories;

• Family/parent role in supporting employment;

• Transition to adulthood (healthcare, work, postsecondary education/training);

• Employee and employer resources;

• Information to support gaining and maintaining employment; and

• Antidiscrimination laws.

Join us for these upcoming sessions:

• Monday, September 29: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment

• Tuesday, September 30: Individual Employment Possibilities

• Wednesday, October 1: Employer and Employee Supports

• Monday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid

• Tuesday, October 7: Benefits

• Wednesday, October 8: Local and State Agency Presenters

All sessions are 6-8pm.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

More information and free registration.

The Center on Community Living and Careers is proud to deliver Family Employment Awareness Trainings (FEAT) to Hoosier families, their young adults with disabilities, and the professionals who support them.

Indiana is one of five states offering FEAT as a way to increase expectations and support for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. FEAT’s goals are in keeping with those of the state of Indiana, which supports Employment First—real work in the community for real wages—as a first option for young adults transitioning from high school.

FEAT Indiana is designed to increase family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment. Training includes individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employers, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members. FEAT training facilitators follow up with technical assistance sessions to support participants in taking steps toward achieving competitive integrated employment.

Topics covered include:

• Indiana’s Employment First policy;

• Outside-the-box employment possibilities;

• Success stories;

• Family/parent role in supporting employment;

• Transition to adulthood (healthcare, work, postsecondary education/training);

• Employee and employer resources;

• Information to support gaining and maintaining employment; and

• Antidiscrimination laws.

Join us for these upcoming sessions:

• Monday, September 29: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment

• Tuesday, September 30: Individual Employment Possibilities

• Wednesday, October 1: Employer and Employee Supports

• Monday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid

• Tuesday, October 7: Benefits

• Wednesday, October 8: Local and State Agency Presenters

All sessions are 6-8pm.

Presented by Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Center on Community Living and Careers.

More information and free registration.