Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities

08/06/2026

Make your voice heard this August! Our partner INSILC is reaching out to people with disabilities to hear what changes would make life more accessible and inclusive in communities across Indiana.

Join a Disability Virtual Input Forum and help shape efforts that will impact Hoosiers with disabilities. Registration is free, and multiple dates are available.

Learn more and register: https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://insilc.org/summer-2026-virtual-input-forums/___.YzJ1OnN0YXRlb2ZpbmRpYW5hOmM6bzo3YzIzODZhNmYxZDY0MThjZjdlYTI5NWMwMDFkYzRlZTo3OjM2MzQ6OTk5YTA0ZmRiZGYyZmQ0NmI1NzgzMzc2YWFmZDNmZjJkYjY1MmFmNjBkYzUzYWM3ZmNhYjVhNjE5ZDk2MTVlYTp0OlQ6Tg

Image Description: Square promotional graphic from the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC) inviting people with disabilities in Indiana to participate in virtual input forums. The graphic features a large blue circle with the headline, “We Want to Hear From You!” and text stating that INSILC wants to hear from people with disabilities in Indiana about their needs and priorities.

A yellow circle contains an icon of a wheelchair user speaking through a megaphone. A schedule titled “Summer 2026 Virtual Input Forums” lists four sessions:
• Saturday, August 1 at 11:00 AM ET
• Thursday, August 6 at 11:00 AM ET
• Friday, August 14 at 2:00 PM ET
• Thursday, August 20 at 6:00 PM ET

The words “Register Free” appear beside a QR code for registration. The INSILC logo and website, INSILC.org, are displayed at the bottom of the graphic.

08/06/2026

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) wants to hear from you. We are asking people to complete a short survey about Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organizations. Whether you have used P&A services or are simply familiar with them, your feedback is important. Your responses will help us better understand public awareness of P&A organizations and identify ways to improve access to services, increase awareness, and strengthen the P&A network.

The survey is voluntary and takes about 15–20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be combined with others and will not be linked to you personally. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback by Friday, August 7, 2026.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6t2K1VNQgEqEmbpNlEkQ34LB2O7mJ4FBkaoImxaHWx9UQzQ5R05SN0ZEUjMzRTBKWUhWUEMyMVNDVS4u

08/04/2026

Everyone deserves safe access to their own home.
When Everett’s HOA refused to allow him to build a wheelchair ramp—even though he couldn’t safely enter or exit his house—Indiana Disability Rights stepped in. Thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the HOA reversed course and approved the ramp. Everett can now enjoy his yard and access his home safely and independently.
IDR is here for Hoosiers when barriers get in the way of basic access and autonomy.

IDR staff intervened on “Everett’s” behalf after his HOA refused to allow him to build a wheelchair ramp, even though Everett couldn’t enter or exit his home or use his yard safely. Thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the HOA approved Everett’s request, and Everett can now enjoy his yard and safely enter and exit his home.

08/04/2026

Indiana Disability Rights is Indiana’s Protection & Advocacy System — here to uphold, promote, and advance the rights of Hoosiers with disabilities.
From investigating abuse and neglect to protecting civil and voting rights, IDR ensures people with disabilities have the support they need to live, learn, work, and participate fully in their communities.
Learn more at IndianaDisabilityRights.org or call 800-622-4845.

08/03/2026

IDR monitors facilities that serve Hoosiers with disabilities. Last fiscal year, IDR staff conducted 117 monitoring visits at 42 facilities. Advocates were able to identify and address risks such as inadequate staffing, unsafe environments, or lapses in care standards as they advocate for health and safe environments for Hoosiers receiving services.

07/30/2026

When you meet Alicia, one thing becomes clear very quickly. She leads with purpose.

Whether she’s supporting entrepreneurs, advocating for her son Riley, speaking on stages, or building relationships across her community, Alicia approaches every opportunity with determination and heart.

Our team was inspired by the way she creates opportunities for others while continuing to build her own. Her story reminds us that leadership often grows from lived experience, and that advocacy becomes even more powerful when it begins with love.

Alicia’s portfolio of joy reflects the people and purpose that keep her moving forward.

Common Threads in Alicia’s story:
• A mother’s love and advocacy for her son Riley
• Helping people discover opportunities
• Entrepreneurship and community leadership
• Building meaningful relationships
• Using lived experience to create impact

Every story in Common Threads: Portfolios of Joy and Possibility expands our understanding of belonging. By recognizing people’s gifts, passions, and contributions, we create communities where everyone has greater opportunities to thrive.

07/30/2026

Indiana Disability Rights is the state's Protection & Advocacy agency, often called the "P&A" or, in Indiana, just "IDR" for short.

Here is one example of a time when Indiana's P&A made a big difference for people with disabilities.

🛑What happened:
* A patient at a hospital reported bad treatment.
* He said he was tied to a restraint chair for 48 hours (2 days).
* After that, his ankles and wrists were tied down for 10 days.

🔎What Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) did:
* IDR checked what happened right away.
* The hospital checked too and agreed that the patient was telling the truth.
* IDR helped the hospital change its rules so this would not happen again.
* The hospital also fixed other safety and rights problems.
* Now, people staying at this facility are safer.

📖How to learn more:
* To read about your rights when getting care, visit: **https://www.in.gov/idr/rights-handbooks**
* Indiana Disability Rights helps investigate abuse and neglect.
* Website: www.IndianaDisabilityRights.org
* Phone number: 800-622-4845

Recently, a patient reported he had been placed in a restraint chair for 48 hours, followed by ankle and wrist restraints for ten days. IDR staff immediately investigated, and the hospital substantiated the patient’s allegations. IDR’s investigation led to administrative and policy changes and resulted in the hospital addressing other safety concerns and possible rights violations. This made the environment better for Hoosiers residing in this facility. For more information about your rights when receiving care, check out IDR’s rights handbooks by visiting https://www.in.gov/idr/rights-handbooks

07/28/2026

We’re excited to share Indiana Disability Rights update and look forward to continued collaboration as they move through this transition. As one of Indiana’s DD Act partners, IDR plays a vital role in protecting and advancing the rights of Hoosiers with disabilities, and we value our ongoing partnership in strengthening systems, supporting inclusion, and elevating advocacy across the state.

We are excited to announce, Polly Aris Stamatopoulos has been named the Interim Executive Director of Indiana Disability Rights! As Interim Executive Director, Polly will lead IDR during the IPAS Commission's search for a permanent Executive Director, ensuring continuity of services, organizational stability, and strong stewardship of IDR's mission. "It is an honor to serve Indiana Disability Rights during this important transition. My priority is to provide steady leadership, support our dedicated staff and Commission, and ensure IDR remains strong and focused on our mission to advance the rights and opportunities of Hoosiers with disabilities," Polly said. Learn more in the full press release --> https://www.in.gov/idr/reports-and-press/2026.07.24%20IDR%20Announces%20Interim%20Executive%20Director.pdf?language_id=1