Center on Community Living and Careers

05/26/2026

We're LIVE with IN*SOURCE! Join us to learn about our upcoming trainings and events. Bring your questions – we can't wait to chat!

05/21/2026

📣 Join Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council - INSILC Virtual Disability Input Forum tonight. You’ll have the opportunity share what you need to live independently and thrive in your community.

🔗 Learn more and register today: insilc.org/spring-2026-spil-input-forums

🗣️ We need your voice! People with disabilities in Indiana are invited to join tomorrow's Virtual Disability Input Forum to share what matters most.

When: Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 PM ET
Where: Virtually on Zoom

We’re gathering input on the disability services and supports people need to live independently and participate in their communities. What you share helps guide statewide projects that impact people with disabilities.

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/l5DS5rT0SICmOtaN731fmQ #/registration

CART services will be provided; please send accommodation requests to info@indianasilc.org.

Image Description: Graphic with a yellow and light gray background featuring a blue icon of a person in a wheelchair holding a megaphone. Large text reads “We Want To Hear From You!” followed by “Tell Us at a Virtual Input Forum:” and bullet points: “Are your needs being met?”, “Do you have access to the services you need?”, “Are there resources you wish were available?”, and “What challenges do you face?”. At the bottom, bold text states “May 21 @ 6 PM ET.”

05/21/2026

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

Whether you love picking up a new hobby or just working on a fun project, having a good evening routine brings so much joy and purpose to life. For individuals with disabilities who are transitioning to adult life, finding meaningful hobbies after the workday is a vital part of mental wellness.

You can use the “Building a Meaningful Day” framework to help you plan rewarding daily routines focused on learning new skills, gaining independence, and staying socially connected.

If you need some fresh ideas, our recent blog post is packed with free activity examples and resources to help you get started. 📝

Read this blog post at go.iu.edu/tVN5Nr

Stay tuned as we share more of our staff’s favorite self-care tips throughout the month. 💚



[Video description: In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month at the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC), this video opens with an on-screen prompt asking, “What’s your favorite self-care tip for the month?” as a CCLC staff member named Brady is approached with a microphone outside a brick building. In his response, Brady shares that he loves to bake and spend time at his house. He explains that finding different recipes or fun things to do gives him a complete break from everything he has been working on, allowing him to enjoy some daily structure while trying something new.]

05/20/2026

We’re thrilled to be heading back to this year’s National APSE Conference as both an exhibitor and a presenter!

If you’re attending, don’t miss Sandy Block's session, “Harness the AI Gem,” on Tuesday, June 9, at 2:40 p.m. CDT.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ever-changing. AI holds powerful tools, many of which can be customized for specific disability-related needs and goal attainment. Sandy will give a live demonstration on how to successfully and safely create specialized AI assistants (GEMs) to advance personal goals across life domains, with a special focus on driving employment success.

Are you attending the National APSE Conference? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

🔗 Want to join us on the expo floor? Become an exhibitor today: https://apse.org/2026-conference-sponsors-exhibitors/

05/20/2026

Looking for a fun and welcoming way to exercise and make new friends? Join Fishers Community Center for an adaptive Zumba class.

Registration is not required and the class is FREE!

We are happy to share this information about an adaptive Zumba class. Check out all the details below

-An inclusive and supportive environment
-An instructor with almost 3 years of experience teaching adults with IDD, who is herself a parent of an adult with autism
-Developing new friendships
-Caregiver connection during class (caregivers are also welcome to dance if they want to!)
-Mental and physical benefits of movement set to music
-Most of all, FUN!!

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring a towel and water bottle. No dance experience required 🙂 Registration is not required and the class is FREE! You do not need a membership to attend.

6:30-7:30 on Mondays at the FCC in Program Rooms 2 and 3

I am also still teaching my other classes every week. It's the same class with the same songs, so you can feel confident and learn the choreo more easily. Details below:

Saturdays at 2:00 at Dancefam, located at A-List Dance Center at 468 Gradle Drive, Carmel

Link to register:

https://www.dancefam.co/in-person-classes

Tuesdays at 6:00 at Grace Church, 5504 E. 146th St., Noblesville

Link to register:

https://gracechurch.us/Registration?RegistrationInstanceId=860&Slug=adaptivefitness25

05/19/2026

Join the Council for Community Accessibility for an engaging discussion focused on breaking down common assumptions about disability. The event is open to everyone!

I can’t see your disability, so it must not exist.
Isn’t captioning just as good as sign language?
What changed? You could participate yesterday!
Here, let me get that for you. (Of course you’ll need my help.)

Do these sound familiar? Join the Council for Community Accessibility on May 26 for a conversation about assumptions and how to break them down! All are welcome, especially people with disabilities (visible or invisible), and allies, supporters, and community members.

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Southwest Library Branch (890 W. Gordon Pike)
Room: Meeting Room A/B

There will be refreshments, including a make-your-own trail mix bar!

If you'd like to submit a conversation starter ahead of time, email cca@bloomington.in.gov.

Please RSVP at bton.in/BDTB26 by Thursday, May 21, 2026! You can request accommodations in your RSVP or by emailing cca@bloomington.in.gov. (If you are requesting ASL interpretation, please let us know as soon as possible.)

05/19/2026

💚Mental health is just as important as physical health. This Mental Health Awareness Month, our staff will share their favorite self-care tips because we believe in caring for the whole person: mind and body.

What does self-care look like to you? For us, it means a life surrounded by community, engaging activities, and relationships that make you feel valued.

💡Need some inspiration?
The Family Employment First Coalition (FEFC), a former partnership between DDARS and CCLC, has developed a collection of resources to support families and disability advocates statewide.

Explore the resources on our website at go.iu.edu/8tEC

Stay tuned as we share more of our staff’s favorite self-care tips throughout the month! In the meantime, what is your favorite way to recharge? Let us know in the comments.

[Video description: In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month at the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC), this video opens with an on-screen prompt asking, “What is your favorite form of self-care right now?” as a CCLC staff member approaches the camera along a sunlit, tree-lined pathway. In her response, she emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of spending time in nature, noting that her current favorite self-care routines include golfing, taking long walks, and hiking. She further explains that these outdoor activities not only allow her to enjoy the warm seasonal weather but also provide valuable opportunities to foster social connections and meet new people.]

05/19/2026

We're proud to be a participating organization in Indiana APSE’s Hiring Hoosiers with Disabilities campaign! At CCLC, we are fully committed to supporting inclusive employment across Indiana.

Visit www.inapse.org/hoosiershiringhoosiers to learn more about the campaign and see which Indiana businesses are supporting inclusive employment.

05/19/2026

Thrive Social Club, a post-high school group for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is hosting a virtual meet-and-greet on May 21. https://tinyurl.com/yc82u9nh