In Depth
The Institute works to build community capacity through its collaborative efforts with institutions of higher education, state and local government agencies, community service providers, persons with disabilities and their families, and advocacy organizations. The work of the Indiana Institute is carried out in Centers which address the following issues:
- Early intervention and education;
- School improvement and inclusion;
- Transition, employment, and careers;
- Aging-related change;
- Planning and policy studies;
- Disability information and referral;
- Autism spectrum disorders; and
- Individual and family perspectives.
The daily business of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is conducted by a Management Team that consists of the Director, seven Center Directors, the Chair of the Institute’s Family and Individual Resource and Support Team (FIRST), and key administrative staff. In the spring of 2002, the Institute created an organizational plan focused on:
- Investing in community issues;
- Building unique collaborations and partnerships;
- Expanding university roles;
- Investing in our work culture;
- Diversifying funding; and
- Ongoing planning and evaluation of impact.
Core Functions
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is in a unique position to foster the flow of disability-related information between communities in Indiana and institutions of higher education. The Institute accomplishes this through its focus on building community capacity through a set of core functions. They include:
Interdisciplinary Training
The faculty and staff of the Indiana Institute train and educate the next generation of leaders in disability-related research, training, service delivery, and policy advocacy. In 2007-2008, the Institute’s Interdisciplinary Training Program supported 24 students, representing 11 disciplines, involved in various projects and programs across its seven centers.
Also in 2007-2008, faculty and staff of the Institute provided course instruction to 758 university students through 27 individual courses taught at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, and Ivy Tech State College. Nearly 1,923 student credit hours were generated.
Information Dissemination
The Institute generates and disseminates a wide array of materials designed to improve policies and services that pertain to individual with disabilities, their families, professionals in the field, and policy makers. In 2007-2008, over 61,000 copies of products were disseminated across the Institute’s seven Centers.
Research
The Institute conducts basic or applied research, evaluation, and public policy analysis in areas that affect individuals with disabilities and their families. In 2007-2008, the Indiana Institute engaged in 21 research projects across its five areas of emphasis.
Training and Technical Assistance
Indiana Institute-sponsored training events include conferences, workshops, summer institutes, distance education classes, and seminars that target a wide range of topics and participants. Needs assessments, requests from the field, and training evaluations guide presentations of best practice in disability. Last year, Indiana Institute faculty and staff conducted 1,060 events that reached over 88,000 individuals.
The Institute’s technical assistance activities are more intensive problem-solving responses to identified needs. Technical assistance is provided at the systems change level that is focused on building community across the life span. Last year, Institute faculty and staff provided over 11,500 hours of technical assistance across Indiana.
Family and Individual Resource and Support Team (FIRST)
The Institute recognizes the importance of family in our communities. In the mid-90s, the Indiana Institute established a Family and Individual Resource and Support Team (FIRST) that promotes the perspectives of families and persons with disabilities across the goals of the Institute and serves as a resource to communities in Indiana.