Skip to main content

Center for Planning and Policy Studies

The Center is involved in a variety of public policy and planning activities. Center staff work directly with various state and local agencies, parent groups, and consumer organizations to improve programs and policies that affect persons with disabilities. In addition, the Center’s research interests focus on consumer-generated models of policy development.



Jeff Chait, MA
Research Associate
e-mail: jchait@indiana.edu
Indiana Institute affiliation since 1993
Educational Institution(s): Indiana University-Bloomington
Area(s) of Expertise:

  • Accessible technology
  • Group facilitation
  • Interpersonal communication/Public Speaking
  • Research methodology



    • Stacey May
    Administrative Program Secretary
    e-mail: stmay@indiana.edu
    Indiana Institute affiliations since 1996
    Area(s) of Expertise:

  • Alternative Format Design
  • Computer Graphic Design
  • Conference Planning
  • Office Management and Support



    • Matt Norris    , MSW
    Research Associate
    e-mail: mnorris@indiana.edu
    Indiana Institute affiliation since 2002
    Educational Institution(s): Indiana University-Bloomington
    Area(s) of Expertise:

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Social Work



    • Vicki Pappas    , Ph.D.
    Center Director
    e-mail: pappas@indiana.edu
    Indiana Institute affiliation since 1974
    Educational Institution(s): State University College at Geneseo, State University College at Buffalo, Indiana University-Bloomington
    Area(s) of Expertise:
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Disability Policy
  • Group Facilitation and Focus Groups
  • Voting Rights/Polling Place Accessibility



    • Trina Sterling    , BA
    Program Secretary
    e-mail: trsterli@indiana.edu
    Indiana Institute affiliation since 2002
    Educational Institution(s): Loyola Marymount University
    Area(s) of Expertise:

  • Advertising
  • Graphic Design
  • Copy Writing