League for the Blind and Disabled

05/25/2026

Wellspring on Wheels is coming to The League!

Mark your calendar!!

The WOW mobile food pantry will be League for the Blind and Disabled on May 28, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Please help us spread the word to anyone who may benefit.

05/25/2026

🎉 Big shoutout to Advocate Financial! 🎉

Every great race needs a strong support team, and My Advocate Financial is helping The League go the distance as a proud sponsor of the 2026 Race 4 Independence! 💜

They are not just talking the talk — they are walking, running, rolling, and advocating alongside us for a more inclusive Fort Wayne.

At The League, we know independence is not a solo sport. It takes teammates, cheerleaders, community champions, and businesses willing to step up for something bigger than a finish line.

That is why we are so grateful to have My Advocate Financial in our corner — or should we say, in our lane? 😉

Their support helps fuel a race that celebrates:

♿ Independence
💜 Inclusion
🏃 Community
👏 Accessibility
🌟 Opportunity for people with disabilities

So now we have to ask…

👟 Who’s ready to join The League of sponsors?
Your business can help us keep the momentum going and make the Race 4 Independence even more meaningful.

🏁 Sponsor the Race 4 Independence:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/FortWayne/RaceForIndependence5K or reach out to John Guingrich - johng@the-league.org
DEADLINE - JUNE 26, 2026

💼 Learn more about My Advocate Financial:
https://www.myadvocatefinancial.com/

Thank you, My Advocate Financial, for being an advocate for independence, a champion for community, and a sponsor worth cheering for! 🎉

05/23/2026

Join The League for the 2026 Race 4 Independence, a community 5K Run/Walk and 2.5K Family Walk celebrating independence, inclusion, accessibility, and disability empowerment.

Whether you run, walk, roll, volunteer, cheer, or bring your whole family, this event is a fun way to support people with disabilities in our community.

Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Purdue Fort Wayne Campus
🏃 Race Options: 5K Run/Walk or 2.5K Family Walk

Your participation helps support The League’s mission of supporting people with disabilities to help them keep or obtain their independence.

Register today and invite your friends, family, coworkers, running groups, walking clubs, and community partners.

🔗 Register here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/FortWayne/RaceForIndependence5K

05/22/2026

Such a great program!

The Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana (VLP) was founded in 2002 by a group of local attorneys and judges committed to providing a program offering free legal help to low-income individuals and families. VLP paralegals field over 10,000 inquiries annually and place qualified cases with volunteer attorneys willing to help clients without charge.

Over the past 20 years, hundreds of attorneys in northeast Indiana have volunteered thousands of hours of legal expertise to help individuals and families get equal access to the civil justice system.

One of those lawyers is Emily Szczepkowski. Emily started volunteering with VLP in 2017. She currently takes on five to 10 cases each year. Serving as a Guardian ad Litem, she advocates for individuals who cannot fully advocate for themselves, ensuring their needs, voices, and dignity are at the center of every decision.

“It’s a beautiful thing to witness the love of the care provider for the individual in need,” she shared. “There is such joy, and often relief, brought to the petitioner and individual upon the granting of the guardianship. Care providers are now able to get the medical or financial relief to their loved ones that had previously been just out of reach.”

Thanks to volunteers like Emily and organizations like Volunteer Lawyer Program, more people in our community are finding a way forward and moving from dependence to independence.

05/22/2026

Resilience isn't toughness. It's adaptability.

At this year's Inclusion Institute graduation, keynote speaker, W. Thomas "Tommy" Smith, PharmD, JD, reminded us that leadership does not begin when life feels easy, certain, or perfectly planned.

After surviving a rare infection, a 10-week coma, multiple surgeries, and amputations, he shared how community, visibility, and connection helped him move forward — one next step at a time.

His message to graduates was powerful:

You do not have to feel fully ready to lead.
You do not have to be perfect to participate.
Your voice may be the reason someone else believes they belong.

The Inclusion Institute is proud to celebrate leaders who are building more accessible, inclusive communities rooted in disability leadership, self-determination, and belonging.

What does resilience mean to you? Share your thoughts below.

05/21/2026

College taught you ASL ... now let DeafLink bridge the gap to real-world interpreting.

We are always accepting applications for our Bridge Program. This is a 10-month paid residency designed for developing interpreters who want mentorship, structured training & real-world experience.

This is a great opportunity for recent graduates, ASL students, developing interpreters, or those ready to return to the field.

Always accepting applications - positions are filled on a rolling basis. Be sure to reach out if interesting in this opportunity.

05/21/2026

Race 4 Independence is a Fort Wayne 5K run, walk, or roll to celebrate the inclusion provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act and support the League's vision of full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. The timed 5K welcomes competitive runners, running clubs, corporate teams, families, walkers and community supporters.

Participants will enjoy a meaningful race-day experience with recognition and awards, while supporting independence, accessibility, and inclusion in Northeast Indiana.

05/20/2026

The League pauses to honor our service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We recognize that many veterans and military families continue to carry the lasting impact of service, including visible and invisible disabilities. As a Center for Independent Living, The League is proud to support veterans with disabilities in living with independence, dignity, choice and full participation in our community.

Our office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, May 26.

We remember.
We honor.
We remain committed to serving those who served.

05/20/2026

Happy May Birthday from The League! 🎉

A BIG birthday shoutout to Caitlyn, Cassidy, Erica, Jenny and Angie!

Chick-fil-A helped us celebrate by generously donating gift cards, bringing a little extra joy, chicken, and waffle-fry happiness to your special day.

Thank you for all you bring to The League!

05/19/2026

🤟 This is what change looks like.

Recently, community members - healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and neighbors - gathered to hear the first-ever local Deaf Health & Demographics data for Northeastern Indiana, presented by our own DeafLink team member - Cassidy C.

Our community didn't just listen. They showed up because they want things to be different.

The data our community heard mirrors what national research has documented for years: Deaf adults face real gaps in healthcare access, education, and community connection. And now, for the first time, we have a local starting point to drive local change.

This is year one. We're committed to building this picture over the next five years — and turning what we learn into real programs, real access, and real opportunity for Fort Wayne's Deaf community.

Want to be part of it? Small steps can make a BIG difference.

✅ Ask — don't assume — what communication someone prefers.
✅ Offer an ASL Interpreter at events or classes opening the door for your Deaf neighbors and customers.
✅ Train your front staff on how to request & work with interpreters ... a little knowledge goes a long way.

Fort Wayne showed up. Now let's keep going. 💙

Want to learn more? Visit us at www.the-league.org

05/14/2026

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight — it builds quietly through stress, overload, and constantly putting others first. After our Lunch & Learn on Burnout Prevention, here are a few reminders we hope you’ll carry with you:

💡 Burnout Prevention Tips:
• Take your breaks — even short pauses help reset your mind
• Set boundaries and protect your time
• Ask for help before you feel overwhelmed
• Celebrate small wins and progress
• Stay connected to supportive people
• Remember: rest is productive too

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Caring for yourself is not selfish — it’s necessary. 💛

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and shared their experiences during our Lunch & Learn! We appreciate Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana for a meaningful presentation!