Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Expands to Include the Eppley Institute

The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community welcomes the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands as the seventh research center starting July 1, 2020. Established in 1993, the Eppley Institute partners with recreation, park, and public land organizations in order to enhance access, choice, and quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences for all people.

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A Lifespan Approach to Disability

At the Institute, we work through seven centers to address issues across the lifespan and major life areas.

Early Childhood

Where family–community partnerships provide all families the supports they need to nurture, teach, and advocate for their children.

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School Age

Where the capacity of educational systems and universally designed services meet the needs of all students.

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Adulthood

Where the access is improved and expanded to provide opportunities for competitive integrated employment and community living.

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Aging

Where individuals participate in all facets of community life and have choice and control over their health and independence.

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About the Institute

The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), Indiana’s University Center for Excellence in Disabilities, has fostered a foundation of excellence for community investment in developmental disabilities since 1970. Our mission is to work with communities to welcome, value, and support the meaningful participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education, and service.

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Our Centers

Our work crosses the lifespan and is conducted across seven centers.

Early Childhood Center
Eppley Institute
Center on Community Living and Careers
Center for Collaborative Systems Change
Center on Education and Lifelong Learning
Center for Health Equity
Indiana Resource Center for Autism

From the Director

"The future is bright for people with disabilities in Indiana and the changes underway today will serve as the critical foundation. Though there is much work to do across the state, I am confident that with Indiana’s strong and effective self-advocates, families, advocates, professionals, and policymakers, people with disabilities will have greater opportunities to lead meaningful lives in the community."

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News from the Institute

Indiana University’s Center on Education and Lifelong Learning has received funding to continue the work of the Indiana Center on Teacher Quality as part of a federally funded $6 million state personnel development grant to the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Indiana was one of only five states to receive funding in this award cycle. The grant will focus on rural Indiana schools and communities.

For those with disabilities and their families, trying to navigate a complex web of services, programs, and other disability-related community resources can be daunting. In November, IU’s Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) partnered with AWS Foundation of Ft. Wayne, IN, to implement Indiana Disability Resource FINDER as part of its library information and referral services.

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Upcoming Events

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Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—Daily Living and Employment

Hear from Adria Nassim, disability advocate with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, as she addresses the importance of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in supporting daily living and the employment of people with disabilities.

This video, made for @nationalapse is in response to a call by APSE to provide voice to critical policy debates and help Congress determine what the most pressing needs are for people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them. For more about APSE, visit apse.org.

in 2019–2020

9,727hours of training and technical assistance provided

598training and technical assistance events

54,975individuals with disabilities impacted through training events

What We Offer

Learning Through Trainings, Workshops, and Technical Assistance

From the Interdisciplinary Education Training Program (IETP), to our online learning courses, to the many in-person workshops and trainings offered by our Centers, the Institute can help you learn and improve. We also work directly with schools, state agencies, service providers for people with disabilities, and institutions of higher education to address issues and create new plans.

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Connections to Community

We host blogs with writings from people with disabilities, like Adria, to provide insights into disability through the lens of their personal experiences. We also sponsor student groups like the Students on the Spectrum Club for IU and Ivy Tech students, and parent groups of children with autism to provide a foundation for self-directed mutual support.

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Resources for You

Our centers have compiled resources for educators, other professionals, parents, students, transitioning individuals with disabilities, and policymakers—and you can browse them all in one place.

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Looking for More Information...?

The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) has a number of ways that you can connect with us. Newsletters, Blogs, Reports, Trainings, Special Events. Opt In! 

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Our Library

The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community has a full-service lending library with a wide variety of resources about disabilities across the lifespan. Regardless of where you live, we are happy to lend our materials to you through the mail or to help you find the answers you need.

We’re normally open weekdays from 8 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to 4 pm ET.

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Find Disability Resources with FINDER

For those with disabilities and their families, trying to navigate a complex web of services, programs, and other disability-related community resources can be daunting. In November, 2020, IU’s Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) partnered with AWS Foundation of Ft. Wayne, IN, to implement Indiana Disability Resource FINDER as part of its library information and referral services.

“Research has shown that locating information about disability services and resources is a major hurdle for community stakeholders and disability professionals. As a state-wide tool, FINDER assists in making information accessible and geographically relevant for all Hoosiers,” said Derek Nord, IIDC director. “Through our extensive work across Indiana that touches on all stages of life, the IIDC is excited to expand FINDER’s reach to make it the go-to resource.”

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FINDER provides 24/7 access to community services, is easy to use, and supports first-time users with a step-by-step guide. For more experienced users, it has advanced search features. Regardless of how information is located, search results are immediately available, can be saved for future use and shared.

 Use FINDER

The Institute advances policies and practices across the disability lifespan