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The Arc News in Indiana Affordable Care Act Page 5 The Arc Advocacy Network Pages 6 and 7 The Arc Trust Milestones Page 11 Achieve with us. Vol. 56, No. 4 www.arcind.org Winter 2013 2014 Public Policy Agenda Guides Advocacy Efforts The Arc of Indiana’s 2014 Public lectual and other developmental Policy Agenda will guide our public disabilities. We will work to policy efforts throughout the year. increase public awareness of the Following are highlights from the importance of strong prenatal agenda, focusing on those areas that care and the dangers created by will have a legislative priority in the lead, alcohol and drugs, including 2014 session of the Indiana General tobacco products. Assembly. To read and share the com- The Arc of Indiana is committed plete agenda, visit www.arcind.org/ to self advocates – people who have our-programs/public-policy-advocacy. an intellectual or other develop- Our Guiding Principles mental disability who advocate for themselves – and will work The Arc of Indiana is committed to ensure they receive the respect, to all people with intellectual and support and access to healthcare other developmental disabilities, as and wellness programs to which Kerry Fletcher, Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman; and Kim Dodson, Associate well as their families, and will work Executive Director, lead The Arc of Indiana’s public policy activities. all people are entitled. to develop public policy which will assist them in realizing their goals of The Arc of Indiana is committed intellectual and other developmental • Using What You Need to communities and to our local learning, living, working and playing disabilities in Indiana. As we worked • Shifting the Power to What chapters of The Arc and will work in the community. with experts from around the coun- Works to develop programs and public try, five initiatives were established The Arc of Indiana is committed Key to these initiatives is the under- policy which will help support in our Blueprint for Change to map to reducing the incidence of intel- standing that the focus needs to be them in their mission of building a new course in programs and ser- on doing things that add real value communities with people with vices for people with developmental to people’s lives. intellectual and other developmen- disabilities: tal disabilities. • Building Career Pathways for All Career Pathways In February, 2010 The Arc of Legislative Priority: Support legis- • Discovering and Realizing NON-PROFIT Indiana embarked on a campaign, lation that increases employment ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. 1715 PERMIT INDIANAPOLIS, IN Individual Gifts U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE Building Pathways to Empower- opportunities for people with dis- ment, to look toward new ways of • Supporting Resourcefulness abilities. delivering services to people with of Individuals, Families and Government Criminal Justice Legislative Priority: Support legisla- tion approved by the Autism Com- mission to convene a joint meeting of the Autism Commission and the Commission on Criminal Issues and Sentencing. Printed on recycled paper Printed Early Intervention, Prevention and Prenatal Education Legislative Priority: Support legis- lation that updates Indiana’s Birth Problems Registry to ensure that accurate data is being reported from appropriate health professionals. Home and Community Based Shaylyn Searcy’s experience of having her shoes duct taped to her feet at school led to the passage Services and Supports of legislation in the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly to establish the Indiana Commission Legislative Priority: Support legisla- on Seclusion and Restraint in Schools, which recently adopted a Model Seclusion and Restraint Plan for use by schools. WTHR reporter Sandra’s Chapman’s coverage of Shaylyn’s story helped educate policy tion directing FSSA to contract with makers about the need for legislation regarding seclusion and restraint in schools. Pictured: Shaylyn an entity to perform a needs assess- and her family with Sandra Chapman. The Arc of Indiana The St. 107 N. Pennsylvania Suite 800 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-977-2375 Continued on page 6 The Arc of Indiana Winter 2013 • Open new chapters across the Celebration Self-Advocates state. of Indiana • Create presentations on employ- of the DD Act ment. My First Trip to the President’s • Continue production of our quar- White House terly newsletter, Nims’ News. Betty Williams, Corner • Travel to Oklahoma City to attend the Self-Advocates Becoming Consumer Education Melody Cooper Melody Cooper Empowered (SABE) conference. and Training Coordinator President, Self-Advocates of Indiana • Hold quarterly statewide meetings On Friday, November 15, I • Continue to work with My that involve members from all over attended the 50th Anniversary of the If 2014 is anything like 2013, Life My Choice – helping peo- Indiana. Developmental Disabilities (DD) Self-Advocates of Indiana will be ple learn their options about Act at the Eisenhower Building on busy. SAI has a lot in store for 2014. • Participate in Disability Awareness community living. the White House grounds. This was Month in March. Goals for the New Year one of the most exciting things that • Start a Speaker’s Bureau. • Hold effective board meetings. include: I have ever done. • Hold a picnic during the • Work together as a team of leaders • Work more with our state and summer. to make our presence known in federal legislators regarding • Be present on more commit- 2014. disability rights. tees and advisory councils. Please check in with SAI throughout the • Meet with legislators at the • Become more involved in the year on Facebook, as well as our website, State House in February. DD Commission. www.saind.org. Refrigerator Rights — Pass Them On Michelle Fischer, host, A View from My Window podcast Dr. Will Miller, the opening of connections to cope with the my experience) that you take twice speaker at The Arc of Indiana’s 2013 growing pains of cerebral palsy. As as many steps backward. Those in conference, both stirred emotions I came into adulthood, the reality of your circle of support will always be and had the audience laughing my disability came into focus, and there for you. “Refrigerator Rights” until our stomachs hurt. His overall negativity along with it. relationships help the human spirit message stressed the importance of I would beat myself up for be resilient! developing closely connected rela- countless things, mercilessly, until Please make an effort to be the Melody Cooper and Betty Williams express tionships, which he affectionately appreciation to veterans this past Veterans Day. I started to listen to how others felt kind of friend that brings resilience calls “Refrigerator Rights” – those about me and felt their unwavering President Kennedy signed the to another person’s life. friends who can walk into your house, support, love and strength. When I DD Act into law in 1963. This Refrigerator Rights – pass them open your fridge, grab something took advantage of this support, I was act is important because it chose on! You never know who needs to eat, sit down, throw their shoes encouraged, rebuilt and refreshed communities over institutions. The them and how a life can be forever off and feel right at home! They are during that rocky, stressful time – DD Act is the law that governs the enriched because of them. not mere acquaintances; they are things I still draw on to this day. National Disability Rights Network friends who truly become family. I Thanks for the reminder, Dr. We all deal with difficult cir- (protection and advocacy), univer- am very fortunate to have these types Will. cumstances, but when you have a sity centers on excellence, and the of relationships in my life, and I’m disability, sometimes, no matter Learn more about Dr. Will Miller DD councils. The DD Act is one of grateful for them. my favorite laws supporting people how many steps you take forward, and “Refrigerator Rights” at www. I related deeply to this concept with developmental disabilities. there is always a feeling (at least in drwillmiller.com of “Refrigerator Rights,” mostly Many people from around the because I had to develop these types country gathered to listen to speakers talk about the DD Act. Panels at the A View from My Window event were focused on education, person’s capabilities and their goals Hosted by Michelle Fischer employment and long-term services in life. This is one of the beliefs of The Arc of Indiana welcomes you to listen in to A View from My Window, and support for individuals with Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI). SAI our podcast hosted by Michelle Fischer. developmental disabilities. Speakers supports self-advocates in their quest talked about the poetry of the DD to live their own lives. Visit www.arcind.org to listen to past broadcasts and the latest edition of Act. To me, this means that the words A View from My Window. One of my favorite lines of the are so powerful that they motivate day came from my friend, Chester people into action. Like “A View from my Window Finn, who is employed by the New with Michelle Fischer” Connie Garner, Vice President York State Office for People with on Facebook of Policy at United Cerebral Palsy Developmental Disabilities. Chester Follow Michelle’s Blog – My Life (UCP), was one of the education stated, “When told no, I say, ‘Just and Stories Behind the Mic panelists. She talked about labels watch me.’” Thanks to this foun- and how they are irrelevant. Instead, dation, the DD Act, the future of Join Michelle on Twitter she said you should look at the self-advocacy is bright. @MFView PAGE 2 The Arc News in Indiana The Arc of Indiana Winter 2013 Executive Director’s Column numerous challenges. Yet, through A wonderful oppor- her own determination and supports tunity which comes from others, today she visits the John Dickerson from working for White House.

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