Understanding Community Living and Action Steps for State Advocates
With the current federal landscape bringing attention to the rights of people with disabilities living in their communities, there are multiple actions advocates can take to make community living and inclusion a way of life.
Join NACDD, leaders with lived experience, and subject matter experts for a webinar on understanding community living and what state advocates can do to ensure that community living and inclusion become the way of life for people with developmental disabilities in local communities.
Presented by NACDD.
Free registration.
Exploring assistive technology for communication
Assistive technology for communication can help individuals express their wants and needs, participate in conversations, interact socially, and more. Join us for this beginner-friendly webinar and explore a sampling of symbol-based and text-based communication tools. It will demonstrate a range of low to high-tech devices and apps that are available in our Simon Technology Center.
If an ASL interpreter is required, please notify workshops@pacer.org at least 48 hours prior to the workshop. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
The Think Sensory Summit
The Think Sensory Summit is back for its second year, and we have truly outdone ourselves with this speaker lineup.
🌟 Alfie Kohn
🌟 Dr. Barry Prizant
🌟 Dr. Ross Greene
🌟 Kelly Mahler
🌟 Kristy Forbes
🌟 Chris Wenger (Speech Dude)
🌟 Mick Olds
🌟 Greg Santucci
...AND SO MANY MORE
This November, join us for four completely free days of conversations about neurodiversity, sensory processing, regulation, communication, behavior, connection, and participation.
Free registration.
2026 OCALICON
The premier autism and disabilities virtual conference!
November 17 - November 20.
Visit https://conference.ocali.org/ for more information.
Rally to Protect Community Living: Our Home, Our Choice, Our Lives
The Indiana Disability Alliance invites people with disabilities, family members, advocates, service professionals, and community supporters to come together and show lawmakers that home and community-based services matter.
Hear from state leaders and people directly impacted by changes to Medicaid, then connect with your legislators about the importance of preventing unnecessary institutionalization.
Learn More and Register: indianadisabilityalliance.org/rally-2026/
Disability Resource Fair
Connect with local resources to help you create a vision for Your Good Life.
Learn more about:
Advocacy groups
Assistive Technology
HCBS Waiver Providers
Housing Resources
Financial and Future Planning
Recreational Opportunities
Remote Supports
For more information, including a list of participating organizations, or if you would like to be an exhibitor, visit oasisforlife.org/drf.
Sensory Tools for every setting
Sensory tools can support focus, regulation, comfort and participation throughout everyday life. Join us for this workshop to learn more about sensory needs and explore tools for a variety of settings!
If an ASL interpreter is required, please notify workshops@pacer.org at least 48 hours prior to the workshop. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training
Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) increases family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment.
These free sessions cover different topics each day. Expect individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employees, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members.
Tuesday, September 29: Employer and Employee Supports
Tuesday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 13: Benefits
Tuesday, October 20: Local and State Agency Presenters
Presented by IU Center on Community Living and Careers.
Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training
Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) increases family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment.
These free sessions cover different topics each day. Expect individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employees, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members.
Tuesday, September 29: Employer and Employee Supports
Tuesday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 13: Benefits
Tuesday, October 20: Local and State Agency Presenters
Presented by IU Center on Community Living and Careers.
Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training
Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) increases family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment.
These free sessions cover different topics each day. Expect individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employees, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members.
Tuesday, September 29: Employer and Employee Supports
Tuesday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 13: Benefits
Tuesday, October 20: Local and State Agency Presenters
Presented by IU Center on Community Living and Careers.
Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training
Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) increases family, student, and professional knowledge of state, federal, and community resources that support employment.
These free sessions cover different topics each day. Expect individual and group activities, discussions, pullout sessions for young adults, and presentations from local employees, entrepreneurs, and community resource agency members.
Tuesday, September 29: Employer and Employee Supports
Tuesday, October 6: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 13: Benefits
Tuesday, October 20: Local and State Agency Presenters
Presented by IU Center on Community Living and Careers.
Indinaa AAC Summit
Ready to make AI work for you? Join us for the 2026 Indiana AAC Summit when we host Lauren Schwartz Gonzales for her session, "AAC + Observation + AI = Magic: Amplifying Communication Through What Really Matters".
Lauren says “Here's what it IS about: the magic of truly observing AAC users, leaning in close, and discovering what REALLY matters to each person. Then, creating a “plan” for REAL immersive AAC language experiences that are entirely student/communicator led. AI is simply the tool that gives us speedy or “souped up” ideas once we have those observations. The real work—the relationship-building, the curiosity, the presuming of potential—that's all us! This workshop teaches you to become an expert observer first. Then we show you how AI can accelerate the creation of materials that honor what you've discovered”.
Registration opens April 1st. Visit our website https://indianaaacsummit.com/.
Framing a Life Shaped by Your Dreams & Goals
The Charting the LifeCourse Framework was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.
Join this free event learn more about CtLC.
Presented by Noble, Inc.
RSVP by 4pm 9/22/2026 to CFL@mynoblelife.org.
Special Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting about interRAI Assessment Tool
From Rep. Robin Shackleford:
After hearing your direct concerns about the new interRAI level of care assessment tool, I requested — and secured—a special meeting with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to address its impact on our disability community.
Date: Monday, September 21
Time: 10:00am
Location/Online Link: TBD
We need to ensure these assessments are fair, accurate and truly serve the people who rely on them. Join us, stay informed, and make sure your perspective is represented.
For details to submit questions ahead of time, contact my office at 317-234-9121 or h98@iga.in.gov.
Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training
Join the Center on Community Living and Careers for six days of virtual Indiana Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) to learn how local, state, and federal resources can support young adults with disabilities in finding meaningful work. Whether you are a student dreaming of your first job, a family member looking for guidance, or a professional dedicated to helping others succeed, you are welcome here!
By attending FEAT you will also:
Network with families, employees, entrepreneurs, and community advocates.
Meet individuals with disabilities who are successfully employed.
Connect with specialists dedicated to facilitating long-term employment success.
All sessions will be held online from 6-8pm EDT.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026: A New Path - High Expectations for Employment
Tuesday, September 22, 2026: Individual Employment Possibilities
Tuesday, September 29, 2026: Employer and Employee Supports
Tuesday, October 6, 2026: Maintaining Employment Resources and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Benefits
Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Local and State Agency Providers
Transition Workshop Series (PACER Center)
Join us for three-part virtual workshop series to help your youth find, keep, and grow in meaningful employment. Each workshop will focus on topics such as exploring your young adult's strengths and interests, how CareerForce programs can support education and employment goals, and understanding how your youth can sustain meaningful employment while receiving county services or medical assistance.
Read the full description of each workshop at the registration links below.
Register for the workshops:
July 21: Building the vision
August 18: Building experience
September 15: Building supports
Presented by PACER Center.
Note: PACER Center is in Minnesota so there will be some MN specific information. But much of the information is cross-state, informative, and encouraging.
Ask The Arc Webinar - Appealing a Level of Care Denial
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
If you or someone you love has been told they no longer meet the Level of Care for a Medicaid Waiver, or you just want to learn more about the process, this Ask The Arc is for you!
You can register here: https://bit.ly/Ask_the_Arc. A recording will be shared on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheArcofIndiana following the event.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
What to Know About the New 1915(c)(11) Waiver Authority
The ACL Grassroots Project launched with the goal of supporting national, state, and local disability leaders and community members to build networks and strengthen leadership, with the intention of advancing disability policy and supports that serve disabled people and communities fully.
In this national webinar, the Grassroots Project will host an overview of the new Medicaid 1915(c)(11) waiver authority under H.R. 1 and what it could mean for access to home- and community-based services. This webinar will break down the new waiver authority, highlight key implementation questions, and explore how advocates, councils, providers, and community partners can engage early to help ensure the authority expands access while protecting existing HCBS systems and the people already seeking services.
Featured Speakers:
· Elizabeth Zirker, Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program (NHeLP)
· Zaida Ricker, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
· Whit Downing, Vice President of Policy and Programing, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
Free registration.
AI and Assistive Technology: Opportunities, limitations, and practical uses
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the assistive technology landscape. Join us for this workshop and explore how AI is being incorporated into tools that support reading, writing, communication, organization, access to information, and more. You'll learn about the potential benefits, current limitations, and important considerations for determining when AI may—or may not—be an appropriate solution.
If an ASL interpreter is required, please notify workshops@pacer.org at least 48 hours prior to the workshop. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Presented by PACER.
Free registration.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
Transition Workshop Series (PACER Center)
Join us for three-part virtual workshop series to help your youth find, keep, and grow in meaningful employment. Each workshop will focus on topics such as exploring your young adult's strengths and interests, how CareerForce programs can support education and employment goals, and understanding how your youth can sustain meaningful employment while receiving county services or medical assistance.
Read the full description of each workshop at the registration links below.
Register for the workshops:
July 21: Building the vision
August 18: Building experience
September 15: Building supports
Presented by PACER Center.
Note: PACER Center is in Minnesota so there will be some MN specific information. But much of the information is cross-state, informative, and encouraging.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
Ask The Arc Webinar - You’re Mad, Now What?
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
With so many changes and so much confusion, people are angry, and they're scared. They also want to make sure their loved ones with disabilities have the supports they need to live the lives they want to live. We want to change things. Many just aren't sure how to do it. Kim Dodson, CEO of The Arc of Indiana, will discuss the steps people can take to protect the services and supports for people with disabilities.
You can register here: https://bit.ly/Ask_the_Arc. A recording will be shared on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheArcofIndiana following the event.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
Ask The Arc Webinars - Special Edition
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Tonight’s topic: New HCBS Waiver rules taking effect August 1, 2026. The state has recently announced the rate reduction for live-in caregivers who provide waiver services, and FSSA has announced their implementation plan for Medicaid Work Requirements. It is a LOT of information, and it is confusing.
In this session, we are going to share information on Medicaid work requirements, the rate reduction for live-in caregivers and what that really means, and who can be a paid caregiver under the new waiver rules. We know people have a lot of questions, so please join us. While this webinar is scheduled for an hour, we will continue until all questions are answered.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
Transition Workshop Series (PACER Center)
Join us for three-part virtual workshop series to help your youth find, keep, and grow in meaningful employment. Each workshop will focus on topics such as exploring your young adult's strengths and interests, how CareerForce programs can support education and employment goals, and understanding how your youth can sustain meaningful employment while receiving county services or medical assistance.
Read the full description of each workshop at the registration links below.
Register for the workshops:
July 21: Building the vision
August 18: Building experience
September 15: Building supports
Presented by PACER Center.
Note: PACER Center is in Minnesota so there will be some MN specific information. But much of the information is cross-state, informative, and encouraging.
Low Vision assistive technology for independence
Attend this webinar to explore assistive technology tools that can help individuals with low vision live more independently. Participants will discover solutions for daily tasks, mobility, and accessing information.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
Resources and Updates: Benefits and Financial Planning Services for Individuals with Disabilities
In collaboration with the Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services, we at the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC) invite you to attend the following webinar: "Resources and Updates: Benefits and Financial Planning Services for Individuals with Disabilities."
This webinar will include:
• Highlights of the enhancements and modifications to DDARS’ VR Benefits and Financial Planning (BFP) Services, available to VR participants.
• An overview of statewide resources and tools available to support job seekers or potential job seekers with disabilities to navigate employment and benefits (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and other supports).
This webinar is ideal for VR participants and other individuals with disabilities, families, case managers, employment specialists, DDARS staff, and other stakeholders who support and serve individuals with disabilities.
A key goal of the VR program is to improve competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. Benefits and financial planning are critical to supporting this goal. The enhancements and modifications to VR BFP services aim to accomplish the following:
• Simplify and streamline VR benefits planning service provision
• Improve consistency around benefits and work incentives counseling that encourages individuals to maximize employment earnings while reducing misinformation and fears
• Reduce duplication and better leverage available benefits planning resources
• Improve capacity for timely provision of benefits and work incentive counseling services
• Support a continuum of benefits planning services, before and after employment
Register today: go.iu.edu/sVuA5i
CtLC Live: Moving towards a Good Life: Integrated Supports
Join this CtLC Live Session to explore how Integrated Supports help people build a good life through strengths, resources, and opportunities.
In this session participants will:
Learn why integrated supports matter when planning around outcomes or concerns
Explore the 5 areas of integrated supports
Discover Charting the LifeCourse tools to:
Map current supports and service
Identify gaps and future needs
Problem solve and plan next steps
This webinar will also be live on Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am.
Presented by Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.
CtLC Live: Moving towards a Good Life: Integrated Supports
Join this CtLC Live Session to explore how Integrated Supports help people build a good life through strengths, resources, and opportunities.
In this session participants will:
Learn why integrated supports matter when planning around outcomes or concerns
Explore the 5 areas of integrated supports
Discover Charting the LifeCourse tools to:
Map current supports and service
Identify gaps and future needs
Problem solve and plan next steps
This webinar will also be live on Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am.
Presented by Nisonger-Family Resource Network of Ohio.
Exploring sensory supports beyond fidgets
In this one-hour webinar, we'll explore a variety of sensory tools that support focus, regulation, and comfort across everyday environments. Moving beyond traditional fidgets, participants will learn how sensory supports can be selected and used intentionally to enhance participation at home, school, work, and in the community.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
Assistive Technology Awareness Day
Come celebrate National AT Awareness Day with Easterseals Crossroads!
Tour our programs and get hands on experiences with Assistive Technology from our INDATA, ATLAS, and Clinical AT teams. Learn how these high- and low-tech tools can assist individuals with independence in employment, play, gaming, home, and life! Hands on experiences will be provided for attendees, and light refreshments will be provided.
Virtual Event: For those who are not able to join us in person, please join us for a remote tour of our program on April 22, 2026 at 10:00am at this link.
Disability Resource Fair
Connect with local resources to help you create a vision for Your Good Life.
Learn more about:
Advocacy groups
Assistive Technology
HCBS Waiver Providers
Housing Resources
Financial and Future Planning
Recreational Opportunities
Remote Supports
For more information, including a list of participating organizations, or if you would like to be an exhibitor, visit oasisforlife.org/drf.
From Activities to Identity: Practical Strategies to Support Valued Social Roles
Too often, people receiving supports spend their time in activities without gaining meaningful roles in their communities. Yet it is valued social roles — not programs — that shape how people are noticed, known, included, and valued in everyday life.
In this webinar, From Activities to Identity: Practical Strategies to Support Valued Social Roles, we explore what valued social roles really are, why they matter, and how they move people from simply being present in the community to truly belonging. Drawing on Social Role Valorization, social capital, and real-world practice, this session offers practical strategies that staff and organizations can use to support people to gain and sustain meaningful roles.
Participants will leave with concrete, actionable ideas for starting with discovery, connecting people to ordinary community spaces, enhancing social image, facilitating relationships intentionally, rethinking risk and readiness, and aligning daily routines with outcomes that matter. Whether you are a direct support professional, supervisor, or leader, this webinar will challenge program-based thinking and offer practical guidance you can apply right away.
Presented by The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).
Free registration.