Whether you’re supporting a child or loved one with a disability, the Dani Plan is your secure, easy-to-use online tool for managing vital care information in one central place. Begin the year with clarity and confidence by creating a care plan that keeps everyone informed and supported—every day.

Families and caregivers nationwide are using the Dani Plan to:

• Build a personalized care plan that's easy to update and share

• Upload and store essential documents securely

• Set helpful reminders to keep caregivers on track

• Be ready for the unexpected—so nothing falls through the cracks.

Free registration.

Government Benefits and Programs: This workshop provides an overview of various government programs that may be available to dependents with special needs. We’ll review Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), Medicaid/Medicaid Waivers, and State Specific Programs. You will learn about the requirements to qualify for these programs and the types of expenses they cover for qualified candidates.

Bio: Gordon Homes is a Certified Financial Planner Professional whose practice focuses on Financial and Estate Planning for families who have a child or dependent with special needs. He has a unique perspective through his experience both as a financial professional and parent. He assists with Financial and Government Benefit issues faced by families, including access to legal professionals,  Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, Social Security and Medicaid.

Presented by Autism Society of Indiana.

Free registration.

Able Accounts: This workshop will include information on the ABLE process including the ABLE Authority, InvestABLE Indiana, the states 529A ABLE savings plan. The ABLE program in Indiana will dramatically impact and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Bio: Amy Corbin is the Executive Director for the ABLE Authority which oversees INvestABLE Indiana, the state’s 529A ABLE savings plan. Amy has worked for the State of Indiana for over 10 years and has an established background in social work and case management. Prior to working for the Office of the Indiana Treasurer of State, she worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services as a Family Case Manager and later proceeded to work with the DCS older youth services initiative Collaborative Care. In this role Amy assisted with program development and implementation, while overseeing life skills training and increasing independence for former foster youth. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from Indiana University. In her current role, Amy oversees the program management and operations for the Indiana ABLE Authority. She believes offering a qualified ABLE program in Indiana will dramatically impact and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities..

Presented by Autism Society of Indiana.

Free registration.

In this interactive forum, The Arc Master Trust Senior Director of Engagement Sarah Geis will help you understand your financial options in planning for the future as she explains the benefits of Special Needs trusts. Because it can be just the right option depending on the situation, she’ll help you understand how to maximize its benefits.

Presented by Noble.

Register for free by emailing Susan CFL@mynoblelife.org.

Special Needs Trust Basics: This presentation will cover the basics about special needs trusts and how they can be used to protect financial resources while ensuring eligibility for government benefits like SSI, Medicaid, and others. We’ll review the two types of special needs trusts that can be created (third-party and first-party) and the ways in which they can be set up.

Bio: Sarah Geis is the Senior Director of Engagement for The Arc Master Trust and joined The Arc Master Trust in January 2022. Prior to this position, Sarah worked for Autism Society of Indiana, assisting those receiving direct care services in central Indiana. Sarah has also worked for Indiana Repertory Theatre, assisting the organization in expanding their accessibility and sensory-friendly performances.

As a part of The Arc Master Trust, Sarah meets with individuals and families who are interested in learning more about the trust, guides them through the trust enrollment process, shares information through our Talks with The Arc Trust webinar series, and delivers presentations throughout the state.

Presented by Autism Society of Indiana.

Free registration.

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. Click on the “View Detail” button to see this month’s topic, register, and find a link to past webinars.

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 waiver rules, including limits on some services and who can be paid as caregivers, have gone into effect. Changes are being made to Medicaid health coverage, and a new legislative session is beginning. In the January session of Ask The Arc, we will go over the changes that are happening, talk about changes to come, and discuss issues being considered in the new legislatives session. It's a new year, and we want to make sure you are informed and prepared for things to come.

Presented by The Arc of Indiana.

Free registration.

Join us for January 2026 Theme of Planning for Independent Living.

January 6: Home Sweet Home / Housing 101

January 20: Transition and Technology

January 27: Building Life Skills: Preparing for Independent Living

Presented by Ohio SALT Resources.

This year we will hear from Kirby Smith and Suria Nordin. In July of 2014, Suria, suffered a spinal cord injury that resulted in quadriplegia. Kirby found the technology being offered to improve her life was outdated, expensive, and very limited due to customizations. Suddenly, simple everyday things were challenging. They solved those issues and July of 2015 formed a company to bring these solutions to an underserved population. SunKirb Ideas, LLC offers affordable off-the-shelf consumer-based solutions through technology to give those with disabilities and unique challenges the ability to be more independent and have more control of their environment. This enabled people to control the lights, temperature, turn on and off alarms, control their doors, control music and entertainment, see and communicate remotely, and control the televisions (including the cable box, TiVo, Netflix, and Hulu) using voice commands.

In the past two years, Suria and Kirby took on another huge project, expanding their existing home to include the other side of their century-old rowhome in Old City, Philadelphia. This project provided the opportunity to design and build their newly renovated space to take advantage of the latest smart home technology and other assistive technology to create an updated comfortable and accessible home for both of them.

Suria and Kirby will share their extensive knowledge and experience in designing and building a smart home for accessibility, safety, independence, and comfort.

If you require any accommodations other than those listed above, please email Wendy Davis at wdavis@patf.us. Follow PATF on social media to learn more about assistive technology during our AT Awareness campaign.

Registration link: https://bit.ly/2025BuildingAComfortableSmartHome

Registration required. ASL interpretation, captioning and Spanish interpretation will be provided.

A Place of My Own offers important information for any individual with a disability, their families, or caregivers. When people can no longer provide support, adults face sudden changes such as new homes, routines, and caregivers. We welcome you to join us in learning more about residential options, funding, regulations, workforce challenges, and intentional communities. Jim McCarten will facilitates this session. Jim is a special needs attorney and focuses on planning to protect benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. He advises families and trustees of Special Needs Trusts and is a sought-after speaker for professionals and families alike.

Due to venue capacity, only the first 60 registrants will secure an in-person seat. To guarantee your spot, register now! If you prefer or if the limit is reached, you can join the session virtually via Zoom. 

Presented by Easterseals Crossroads.

Free registration.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

For families who have an adult child with an IO Waiver, SELF Waiver or Level One Waiver, focusing on Homemaker Personal Care (HPC), Ohio Shared Living (OSL), Adult Day Services, Transportation, Respite and more.

We will cover:

• The realities of long-term caregiving after school ends

• Services and supports for adults who have DD Waivers

• Tackling the lack of qualified DSPs

• Creating a daily schedule

• Tips and resources for success

This webinar is based in Ohio and talks about Ohio HCBS Waiver services. Still, there may be some wisdom and ideas for Indiana families.

Presented by Ohio Family to Family.

Free registration.

WHAT:   Webinar on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (DST)

WHERE:    Register Online. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/affordable-housing-misconceptions-myths-tickets-1554162845909?aff=oddtdtcreator

Note: A Zoom Link will be sent to your email by 12 noon on September 24th to connect you to the webinar.

SPEAKER:  Matt Rayburn, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Real Estate Development Officer & State Disaster Housing Manager, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)

MODERATOR:  Michael Hicks, Advocate, Inclusion Institute of the League

OVERVIEW:          

Affordable housing programs can be complicated, and each program has its own unique rules and quirks.  In this webinar, we will debunk some commonly held misconceptions and myths about affordable housing programs, including:

• questions about the range of income eligibility

• rent limits and accommodations

• locations of housing

• accessible features

 This webinar will also include a “101” introduction on various affordable housing programs and the differences between them.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

People with disabilities and families, advocates for disability rights, community living organizations representatives, affordable housing associates, service coordinators and others seeking to connect people with integrated, affordable and accessible housing opportunities.

ACCOMMODATIONS: To request, email Deb McCarty at dlmccart1@aol.com or call 317-638-2392 by 12:00 noon on September 22, 2025.

Presented by The Inclusion Institute of The League.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the AWS Foundation.

Special Needs Planning Conference with All Needs Planning and the 7Q Foundation.

Topics include:

• Special Needs Financial Planning

• Estate Planning

• Social Security

• and so much more!

Registration opens soon.

For more information visit All Needs Planning.

Equipping a home with a smart home system and technologies specifically designed to enhance its safety and efficacy can help increase independence and autonomy for older adults and people with disabilities. However, smart homes remain unattainable to many due to the high cost of these systems and technologies. There are resources, such as the State Grant for Assistive Technology Program, that can help individuals acquire smart home devices. There are also other demonstrative models, such as Oklahoma’s Smart Home Demonstration Sites and the Illinois Smart Home Demonstration Center, that can show how affordable assistive technology could transform a home into a smart home.

Presented by ACL’s Housing and Services Resource Center.

Free registration.

Special Olympics Indiana invites you to our free workshop, “How Caregivers Can Secure the Future of Their Dependents with Special Needs.”

These sessions, designed for parents and caregivers of our athletes, feature Special Needs Planner Gordon Homes. You’ll learn about protecting government benefits, the importance of a will and more. Feel free to bring a guest.

A light meal will be provided for those who RSVP.

RSVP to https://soindiana.org/gordon-homes-workshop/.

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.

What does assistive technology really mean—and how can it support greater independence for people with disabilities? In this conversation, Ian Ramos, Assistive Technology Specialist at Access Ingenuity, joins Dana Hooper, Executive Director of LSA, to explore practical tools, common roadblocks, and how families can start finding the right supports. With personal stories and expert insight, they’ll dive into what’s possible when the right technology meets the right person.

Presented by Life Services Alternatives (LSA).

Free registration.

Indiana Family to Family is hosting a four-part training series designed to help individuals with disabilities and their families plan for a secure financial future. Led by Gordon Homes, Special Care Planner with WestPoint Financial Group, this series will cover essential financial topics, including government benefits, trusts, guardianship, and life care planning.

Dates: Mondays, June 2 – June 23

Location: Virtual

Time: 6:30-8:00pm EST

🔹 Week 1 (June 2): Government Benefits and Programs

🔹 Week 2 (June 9): Special Needs Trusts

🔹 Week 3 (June 16): Guardianship & Alternatives + ABLE Accounts

🔹 Week 4 (June 23): Life Care Planning

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and take proactive steps toward financial security. Register today!

Free Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Summer-Training-Series.

Do you or a loved one receive government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid? Not sure on how to save for the future and keep these benefits? In our webinar series, Talks with The Arc Trust, we cover the options that people have when saving for the future, the ins and outs of those options, and how they work with various government benefits.

Webinars take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 12:00 pm. ET. There is no cost, but you do need to register. Registration is for the full webinar series.

Presented by The Arc Master Trust.

Free registration.

Indiana Family to Family is hosting a four-part training series designed to help individuals with disabilities and their families plan for a secure financial future. Led by Gordon Homes, Special Care Planner with WestPoint Financial Group, this series will cover essential financial topics, including government benefits, trusts, guardianship, and life care planning.

Dates: Mondays, June 2 – June 23

Location: Virtual

Time: 6:30-8:00pm EST

🔹 Week 1 (June 2): Government Benefits and Programs

🔹 Week 2 (June 9): Special Needs Trusts

🔹 Week 3 (June 16): Guardianship & Alternatives + ABLE Accounts

🔹 Week 4 (June 23): Life Care Planning

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and take proactive steps toward financial security. Register today!

Free Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Summer-Training-Series.

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.

Indiana Family to Family is hosting a four-part training series designed to help individuals with disabilities and their families plan for a secure financial future. Led by Gordon Homes, Special Care Planner with WestPoint Financial Group, this series will cover essential financial topics, including government benefits, trusts, guardianship, and life care planning.

Dates: Mondays, June 2 – June 23

Location: Virtual

Time: 6:30-8:00pm EST

🔹 Week 1 (June 2): Government Benefits and Programs

🔹 Week 2 (June 9): Special Needs Trusts

🔹 Week 3 (June 16): Guardianship & Alternatives + ABLE Accounts

🔹 Week 4 (June 23): Life Care Planning

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and take proactive steps toward financial security. Register today!

Free Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Summer-Training-Series.

Indiana Family to Family is hosting a four-part training series designed to help individuals with disabilities and their families plan for a secure financial future. Led by Gordon Homes, Special Care Planner with WestPoint Financial Group, this series will cover essential financial topics, including government benefits, trusts, guardianship, and life care planning.

Dates: Mondays, June 2 – June 23

Location: Virtual

Time: 6:30-8:00pm EST

🔹 Week 1 (June 2): Government Benefits and Programs

🔹 Week 2 (June 9): Special Needs Trusts

🔹 Week 3 (June 16): Guardianship & Alternatives + ABLE Accounts

🔹 Week 4 (June 23): Life Care Planning

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and take proactive steps toward financial security. Register today!

Free Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Summer-Training-Series.