Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities

09/25/2026

Officially closed — but only for today!

Hey everyone! Just a heads-up that the GCPD team is out of the office on Friday, September 25, 2026—we’re spending the day at the Self-Advocates of Indiana Annual Picnic at Hummel Park!

The picnic runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, and we’ll be back in the office on Monday.
If you’re stopping by the picnic, come say hi at GCPD’s table—we’d love to see you!

[A white flyer with bright blue, red, yellow, and orange geometric accents. Large navy-blue text reads “GCPD OFFICE CLOSED.” On the right side, a large yellow event badge hangs from a blue lanyard. The badge shows a basset hound wearing a black harness sitting beside a water bowl, with the GCPD logo visible on the wall behind the dog. Red and yellow arrows, blue circles, dots, and other geometric shapes decorate the flyer.]

09/24/2026

Get ready with us for the Self-Advocates of Indiana Annual Picnic! GCPD will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 25, 2026 so we can spend time with Self-Advocates, families, and friends at Hummel Park in Plainfield, IN from 10 AM to 2 PM. We hope to see you there!

09/18/2026

Direct Support Professionals across Indiana make an extraordinary impact every single day. While DSP Recognition Week (September 13–19) shines a spotlight on their dedication, the truth is their work deserves our gratitude all year long. DSPs support individuals in living full, self‑directed lives — offering empowerment, support, dignity, advocacy, and connection in ways that strengthen individuals, families, communities, and our entire state.

To keep that appreciation going beyond this week, here are five simple, meaningful ways to show gratitude:

🙏 Say “thank you” regularly and specifically — call out the moments that make a difference.
📣 Share positive stories about DSPs’ impact within your teams and community.
📢 Advocate for the resources, respect, and recognition this profession deserves.
📚 Offer opportunities for growth, training, and leadership.
🎉 Celebrate successes — both big milestones and everyday wins.

Share your meaningful DSP moment or support story in the comments. Tag a DSP to say thank you, and we’ll follow up with a personal message of gratitude — and send them a GCPD sticker as a small token of appreciation.

Thank you to every DSP in Indiana. Your commitment truly changes lives, and we’re grateful for all you do.



[Image description: A light blue graphic with a string of small, colorful triangular flags across the top. "Thank you!" appears in large blue script above a message recognizing Indiana's Direct Support Professionals. On the right, three illustrated people with green shirts and black pants reach across separate frames that represent windows to share two large orange hearts. The National Direct Support Recognition Week and Governor's Council for People with Disabilities logos appear at the bottom left of the graphic.]

09/18/2026

Are you in the South Bend, IN area and concerned about community living for people with developmental disabilities?

If so, this event might be for you. Check out the details to learn more about this.

In the past few months, a legal assault has been waged against the right of people with disabilities to live and receive services in the community. Many ​in the disability community fear that this portends a return to widespread institutionalization. Join us for a discussion of these issues with Tom Crishon, JD, Chief Legal Officer at The Arc of Indiana. We'll examine federal lawsuits challenging the mandate for home and community-based services, recent DOJ actions that have removed protections for community integration​, changes in Medicaid policy that are making it harder for people with disabilities to access community-based services, and legislation that's being proposed in response to these problems.

Tom Crishon has dedicated ​his career to ensuring that people with disabilities aren’t just protected by the law, but empowered by it.​ As Chief Legal Officer at The Arc of Indiana, ​he oversee​s legal strategy, public policy advocacy, The Arc Advocacy Network, and The Arc Master Trust, one of the largest pooled special needs trusts in the country. Previously, ​he spent more than a decade at Indiana Disability Rights (Indiana’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency), including five years as General Counsel and Legal Director. There, ​he led disability rights litigation and systemic reform efforts while supervising attorneys, shaping policy positions, and advising on legislation impacting disability rights.

This event will take place in Regina Hall, Rm. 123, on the Campus of Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, IN). Parking is available immediately to the north of the building in the ​Regina lot and to the northeast of the building in the ​Special Event lot​. Please use the middle entrance on the east side of Regina Hall​. Room 123 is immediately inside that entrance.

09/18/2026

🚀 We’re this close to hitting 5,000 followers — just 70 more to go!
Let’s make this happen, team! 🎉

If you love what we share, help us boost our reach by:
• Tapping that Follow button if you haven’t already
• Sharing our page with someone who needs to be part of the fun
• Dropping a like or comment to keep the energy going ⚡

Your support is what makes this community awesome.

Let’s LEVEL UP together — onward to 5,000 and beyond! 💥🙌



[IMAGE DESCRIPTION
Overall Layout: A horizontal graphic set against a light grey-blue background patterned with subtle dot grids and colorful geometric accent shapes.
Top Header: Bold red text arched across the top reads "ON OUR WAY TO 5K!" surrounded by yellow burst line decorations.
Center Focal Point: A large, pink speech-bubble notification icon with a white heart in the middle containing the bold red number "4,930". Perched on top of the notification bubble is an illustration of diverse people with raised arms beneath a glowing yellow star.
Decorative Accents: Teal concentric circles appear in the upper left corner, yellow stacked arrows point upward on the left, and red squiggly zigzag lines accent the upper right corner.
Bottom Right Box: A white rectangular card in the bottom right corner displays the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities circular logo on the left. To the right of the logo, bold blue text reads "HELP US GET THERE- INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO LIKE, FOLLOW & SHARE!" above five colorful social media platform icons.]

09/18/2026

We're excited to be a community exhibitor at the Disability Town Hall hosted by the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC)! Attendees will hear from FSSA leadership about the Medicaid Waiver Reset and have the chance to ask questions.

📅 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
⌚ 5:30 to 7:30 PM ET
📍 Embassy Suites Noblesville, with a live stream available

ASL interpreters and CART services will be provided; additional accommodations can be requested.

👉Learn More and Register Free: https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://insilc.org/greater-indianapolis-town-hall-september-29-2026/___.YzJ1OnN0YXRlb2ZpbmRpYW5hOmM6bzpiMjVlNDUzN2E2NWUxODkxZjdhMDE1MWJjNGNiYjI4Mjo3OmY5OWM6NTBiYzNmMDAwMTVhYmViN2U3NGI2OTNkMWE4Y2EwM2EzMTY4YzgyYzlkMmY3NzBlZjdlNGU2NzA1MDA1MjU1YTp0OlQ6Tg



[Image Description: Graphic with a white background featuring large blue text announcing a Disability Town Hall. A blue circle in the upper left contains a yellow megaphone and the words “Share Your Voice.” Event details read: “September 29, 5:30–7:30 PM,” “Disability Town Hall,” and “Embassy Suites - Noblesville.” The graphic notes that a live stream is available and that registration is free. Blue and yellow decorative shapes appear in the corners of the design.]

09/17/2026

What does it mean to live fully?

Join us at the 2026 Council Leadership Summit as we explore this powerful question with self‑advocates, families, professionals, and policymakers from across Indiana.

Together, we’ll celebrate community inclusion, practice advocacy, learn about community mapping, and connect through shared joy- and Zumba!

When: October 12 - 13, 2026
Where: Fort Benjamin Harrison Inn & Conference Center, Indianapolis
Cost: Registration is FREE, but space is limited. Lunch and light refreshments are included.

Register for the 2026 Council Leadership Summit
To sign up, scan the QR code on the flyer or click this link:
https://tinyurl.com/CLS2026-JOIN

Everyone plays a part in building welcoming, inclusive communities — and we’d love to see you there!

[Image description: A horizontal blue, white and gold flyer for the 2026 Council Leadership Summit. Across the upper left and center are several photos of people with disabilities participating in activities, smiling, and interacting with others. A circular photo on the lower right shows a man gesturing while participating in a group discussion. Curved gold design elements frame the photos and the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities logo and Summit title. Event information appears along the bottom, with registration information and a large QR code on the right.]

09/16/2026

New Application, New Opportunities—Your Voice Leads the Way.

The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities is excited to launch a new and improved application for Hoosiers interested in future opportunities to serve. While there are no current vacancies for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) or their family members, we hope the launch of our new application will help to build a strong, engaged pool of future candidates.

Your lived experience, your perspective, and your ideas matter. Federal law requires that people with developmental disabilities and their families help shape the work of Councils nationwide—because your voice guides real systems change.We are seeking individuals who are passionate about advancing the rights, opportunities, and full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities across our state.

Who We’re Looking For
✨ Individuals with developmental disabilities (ages 18 and up), family members, advocates, or professionals in related fields
🌍 People representing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
💡 Those committed to systems change, community inclusion, and improving quality of life for Hoosiers with developmental disabilities

What Council Members Do
🗳️ Guide Council priorities and initiatives
🤝 Participate in meetings and committee work
📣 Collaborate with partners statewide to support inclusive communities

Why Serve?
📌 Influence policy and programs impacting individuals with developmental disabilities
🎙️ Share your lived experiences and expertise to help drive meaningful change
🔗 Build connections with leaders, advocates, and organizations across Indiana

How to Apply
Interested individuals can submit an application at tinyurl.com/INGCPD-MemberApply2026 or contact us at [email protected] for an alternate format. Apply at anytime. Applicants will be reviewed and considered when an opening occurs.

We encourage applications from individuals representing the full diversity of Indiana’s communities. Your voice matters—and we hope you'll consider lending it to this important work.

09/08/2026

We owe you an apology.

This summer we were everywhere—events, listening sessions, committee work, statewide conversations—and somehow, we didn’t flood your newsfeed with all of it. Honestly? Total content‑production failure on our part.

But… we’re about to make up for it.

☀️Summer Highlights ☀️
➡️ We expanded outreach across the state, attending community events, listening sessions, and stakeholder meetings to better understand the needs and priorities of Hoosiers with disabilities.
➡️ Our committees continued important work on State Plan Development, Public Policy, and Outreach—driving conversations that support real, tangible impact. (Psst! Interested in joining a Council Committee? Email us at [email protected] to learn more)
➡️We strengthened cross-agency and partner collaborations, helping ensure disability perspectives are included and leading in statewide initiatives and planning.
➡️ We supported ongoing public awareness efforts, promoting inclusion and celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of people with ID/DD across the state.

⚠️📆Starting October 1: Consider This Your Friendly Warning📆⚠️
As we head into the new State Plan Year, we’re excited—and yes, your newsfeed might notice. We’re preparing to roll out our 2027-2032 State Plan, launch new initiatives (oh, and funding opportunities), and share more stories, opportunities, and resources from across Indiana.

So, consider this our friendly apology in advance: your feed is about to get a little busier. But we think you’ll enjoy it. More updates. More engagement. More ways to get involved. And more progress toward an Indiana we all believe in- one where people with ID/DD and their families are known, valued, and supported within community living.

Thank you to our partners, advocates, council members, and community members for a meaningful summer. We’re looking forward to sharing even more with you starting October 1st. Stay tuned!

09/05/2026

Medicaid Waivers help people with disabilities live in their own homes, help keep families together, and support people with disabilities across the lifespan.

Hoosiers who receive support through Indiana's Medicaid Waiver have more opportunities to learn, grow, work, play, and thrive while making valuable contributions to our communities.

There is a lot of conversation about Indiana's Medicaid Waiver system right, making the opportunity to learn about Medicaid Waivers more important than ever.

Please help share this critical information with policymakers, community leaders, and your friends and family who may not know how Medicaid Waivers help make "Home Sweet Home" a reality for people with disabilities.