The Library at the Indiana Institute

The Library at the Indiana Institute We are the Library at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University-Bloomington. A WORLD BUILT for EVERY ABILITY

We are the Library at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

02/10/2026

Looking for disability-related resources in Indiana? Check out Finder—our way-to-use updates are focused on you!

Indiana Disability Resource Finder Events for the Week of December 15, 2025.Visit https://www.indianadisabilityresourcef...
12/15/2025

Indiana Disability Resource Finder Events for the Week of December 15, 2025.

Visit https://www.indianadisabilityresourcefinder.org/events for details.

Monday
A Place of My Own – Indianapolis and Virtual

Tuesday
All Abilities Club Hands-On Culture – Fort Wayne

Wednesday
SNAP, TANF, Medicaid Application Assistance – Indianapolis
Aging Well: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s - Fishers
Virtual El Programa de Educación Individual (IEP) Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Thursday
Virtual Celebrating 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026
Sensory-Friendly Photos with Santa - Indianapolis
Therapeutic Thursdays – South Bend

Friday
All Abilities Club Hands-On Culture – Fort Wayne
Memory Cafe – Carmel
Sensory Santa – Fort Wayne

Saturday
Neurodiverse Meet Up - Indianapolis
Neurodivergent Teen Hangout - Fort Wayne

Using Indiana Waiver Funds for Caregiver TrainingsIndiana’s Family Supports Waiver (FSW) and Community Integration and H...
12/12/2025

Using Indiana Waiver Funds for Caregiver Trainings

Indiana’s Family Supports Waiver (FSW) and Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver (CIH) waivers can cover Family and Caregiver Training (https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/files/FCT-BDS-Fact-Sheets-2024.pdf), including HANDS in Autism® programs.

Key points:

Up to $5,000/year for approved caregiver training.
Training must be included in the Person-Centered Individualized Support Plan (PCISP) and approved by the case manager.

HANDS Trainings:

Eligible if the individual is on FSW/CIH, the training is in the PCISP, and costs stay within the limit.
Benefits:
Skill-building education
Reduced family costs
Training aligned with PCISP goals

How to access:

Ask your case manager to add the service to the PCISP.
Provide details about the HANDS training.
Confirm budget fit and keep receipts after approval.

Contact HANDS in Autism® for more information at [email protected]

Prioritizing Training Topics for Online CoursesThe Early Childhood Center (ECC) is developing new online courses in IU E...
12/11/2025

Prioritizing Training Topics for Online Courses

The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is developing new online courses in IU Expand to better support early childhood educators. Using a prioritization framework, ECC is aligning training topics across major early childhood systems—including CDA competencies, Head Start Performance Standards, and Healthy Families America requirements—along with DEC Recommended Practices. This helps identify shared professional competencies and statewide training gaps.

We also want input from the field: Which training topics would help you most? Your feedback will guide upcoming course development as we work to create accessible, evidence-based learning options for diverse early childhood roles. Stay updated by subscribing to ECC's Early Childhood News through our Engage with Us form at https://go.iu.edu/8wpi.

Share your feedback by going to https://go.iu.edu/8wph

IIDC Announces Nora Loechel as New Strategic Communications DirectorThe Indiana Institute would like to welcome Nora Loe...
12/10/2025

IIDC Announces Nora Loechel as New Strategic Communications Director

The Indiana Institute would like to welcome Nora Loechel as the new director of Strategic Communications. Loechel comes to the IIDC from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where she spent nine years managing marketing and communications to more than eight million college-bound student-athletes, over 1,100 NCAA members schools, and various other audiences. Prior to the NCAA, she spent 11 years in the I/DD world, working with case management organizations throughout Indiana and serving as an advocate and lobbyist on both the state and federal levels for issues related to Medicaid waiver programs. Nora holds a master's in communications from Arizona State University and a bachelor's in journalism from Indiana University and is excited to return to the IU family. Loechel replaces Joel Fosha, director of communications and marketing, who is retiring after 38 years of service to the disability community and Indiana University.

Become a Family Engagement Certified School!The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is providing research support as INSOURCE d...
12/09/2025

Become a Family Engagement Certified School!

The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is providing research support as INSOURCE develops a new Family Engagement Certified School program.

This statewide initiative recognizes schools that prioritize strong, welcoming partnerships with families. When your school signs up, it will:

Receive results from a free annual family and staff survey
Join a statewide network to share ideas and resources
Access free support from the Statewide Family Engagement Center
Earn statewide recognition for its commitment

All Indiana schools can pursue certification at five levels based on their family engagement practices.

Read the school engagement flyer by going to https://go.iu.edu/8wnK

Keeping the Momentum: Join Hands in Autism December Behavior Series to Strengthen Supports and Spark SolutionsFollowing ...
12/08/2025

Keeping the Momentum: Join Hands in Autism December Behavior Series to Strengthen Supports and Spark Solutions

Following the great conversation sparked by the recent ABA Work Group post, we’re keeping the energy going with our December HANDS Developmental Disabilities and Autism Webinars: Behavior Series!

This series brings together professionals, educators, family members, and service providers who are passionate about building capacity across our communities.

Each session features:

A subject matter expert presentation
Real case discussions
Shared supports, tools, and strategies
A collaborative space to learn, grow, and strengthen practice

Whether you’re navigating the impact of recent ABA changes, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and autism, or simply looking to stay connected with a responsive, solutions-focused community — your voice and expertise are needed.

Register by visiting https://go.iu.edu/8wn2

Indiana Disability Resource Finder Events for the Week of December 7, 2025.Visit https://www.indianadisabilityresourcefi...
12/05/2025

Indiana Disability Resource Finder Events for the Week of December 7, 2025.

Visit https://www.indianadisabilityresourcefinder.org/events for details.

Sunday
Sensory Friendly Afternoon at Indiana State Museum - Indianapolis

Tuesday

Virtual Disability Community of Indiana Public Policy Agenda
Museum My Way Children’s Museum Indianapolis
DSI D.A.D.S. Monthly Meeting - Indianapolis

Wednesday

Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia – Beech Grove
Webinar The ADA’s Effective Communication Requirements in Healthcare Settings
Virtual Let’s Talk Benefits

Thursday

Webinar The Art of Accessibility: Implementing the ADA in Cultural Spaces
Webinar FHCCI Fair Housing Disability Workshop
Self-Advocates of Bartholomew County Christmas Party – Columbus
Virtual Ask The Arc

Friday

Dementia Education Seminar - Indianapolis

Saturday

Bilingual Storytime American Sign Language (ASL) - Indianapolis
Wabash Saturday Social: Polar Express - Lafayette

Intern Impact: HANDSMade and Riley CollaborationBig shout-out to the amazing interns in the HANDS in Autism® “HANDSMade”...
12/05/2025

Intern Impact: HANDSMade and Riley Collaboration

Big shout-out to the amazing interns in the HANDS in Autism® “HANDSMade” internship program with Riley Hospital for Children! These interns are making a real impact by labeling sensory kits for children and families at Riley (Riley Cheer Guild) and completing the “Mindset” badge from Job Ready Indy—building workplace skills, reflecting on strengths, and setting SMART goals.

We’re inspired by their dedication and growth. Let’s celebrate these rising stars! HANDSMade internships are currently available in Indianapolis and Bloomington, with potential expansion statewide.

Learn more about the HandsMade program by visiting https://go.iu.edu/8wm2

December Social: Your Invitation from the Southwest Community Family NetworkJoin the Southwest Community Family Network ...
12/04/2025

December Social: Your Invitation from the Southwest Community Family Network

Join the Southwest Community Family Network on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 12–2 PM at The Arc of Evansville (615 W Virginia St, Evansville) for an afternoon of indoor games, pizza, and community connection. Serving families in Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick, and Gibson counties, the Network promotes social inclusion and is supported by the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities in partnership with Indiana Family to Family, IN*SOURCE, and The Arc of Evansville.

RSVP by going to https://go.iu.edu/8wlp

Registration Open for the 2026 Whole Child Summit!Join educators, mental health professionals, and community partners on...
12/03/2025

Registration Open for the 2026 Whole Child Summit!

Join educators, mental health professionals, and community partners on March 12, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana, for the ISMHI Whole Child Summit, hosted by ISMHI and the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL). Learn how districts across Indiana are supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and mental wellness needs.

Attendees can:

Learn from state and national experts.
Network with speakers, exhibitors, and peers.
Access new resources and interventions.
Earn PGPs or CEUs.

Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities

Connect with hundreds of professionals dedicated to student well-being. Showcase your brand, engage with decision-makers, and highlight your solutions for whole-child support.

Benefits include:

Direct access to educators, mental health professionals, and community partners.
Increased visibility at a premier statewide event.
Networking and collaboration opportunities.
A platform to share your organization’s resources and interventions.

Learn more by going to https://go.iu.edu/8wke

Navigating ABA Changes: Support for FamiliesIndiana’s proposed ABA therapy changes may lead to shifts in service hours, ...
12/02/2025

Navigating ABA Changes: Support for Families

Indiana’s proposed ABA therapy changes may lead to shifts in service hours, caps, or a transition away from intensive ABA — and that can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to navigate these changes alone.

HANDS in Autism® is offering a Family & Caregiver 3-Day Intensive Training on January 15, 22, & 29, 2026 (9:00 AM–4:00 PM ET | Virtual or Bloomington) to help you build practical skills, understand evidence-based supports, and feel confident supporting your child at home, in the community, and during school transitions.

Training includes:

Hands-on strategies you can use immediately

Visual supports, routines, reinforcement, and communication tools

Coaching, practice, and individualized guidance

A learner-focused approach designed specifically for families and caregivers

As systems shift, empowering families is more important than ever.

Learn more and register by going to https://go.iu.edu/8wjA

Address

2810 East Discovery Parkway
Bloomington, IN
47408

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 11:30am
12:30pm - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 11:30am
12:30pm - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 11:30am
12:30pm - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 11:30am
12:30pm - 4pm
Friday 8am - 11:30am
12:30pm - 4pm

Telephone

+18128559396

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