Indiana Disability Rights

05/19/2026

Statement Condemning Zoom Bomb Incident at Public Meeting Held on Friday, May 15, 2026

We are deeply concerned by the vile Zoom bomb incident that occurred during the beginning of the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Commission (IPAS) public meeting held on Friday, May 15, 2026. The disgusting behavior of those who disrupted the meeting not only interfered with the Commission’s scheduled agenda but also undermined the spirit of accessibility, open dialogue, and community engagement that we strive to foster.

To the public, the disability community, IDR staff, and fellow IPAS Commission members, we are sorry for the harm caused by being exposed to such despicable racist, sexist, and misogynist language and imagery. We are taking this matter seriously and we are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety, integrity, and accessibility of our future meetings.

We are working with relevant authorities to fully investigate this matter and to hold those who engaged in this awful behavior accountable. We will re-evaluate our virtual meeting process to make sure that such behavior is not allowed to happen again at future meetings.

To those who chose to engage in this behavior, know that we will do everything in our power to hold you accountable. The opportunity for accessible civic engagement will not falter because of your hate.

We appreciate the resilience and understanding of our attendees and reaffirm our dedication to maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment for all. These incidents often trigger stress, trauma, and anxiety, especially for communities of color. We hold space for the community to rest and heal and stand in solidarity against this hateful behavior.

To those who were unable to attend our public meeting on Friday, May 15, 2026, you may access the recording of the May 15, 2026 session of the IPAS Commission meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgX_eeR9DLg

Take care,

Jalyn Radziminski-Hooks, IPAS Commission Chair
Melissa Keyes, Indiana Disability Rights Executive Director

Read the PDF version of this statement here -->https://www.in.gov/idr/files/2026.05.19-Statement-Regarding-Interruption-of-IPAS-Commission-Meeting-May-15.pdf

05/15/2026

IDR is currently looking for two Senior Attorneys. For more information and to apply, visit the job details webpage and click, “Apply now.”

https://workforindiana.in.gov/job/Indianapolis-Senior-Attorney-IN-46205/1389508100/

https://workforindiana.in.gov/job/Indianapolis-Senior-Attorney-IN-46205/1389504100/

05/04/2026

It’s Public Service Recognition Week! We want to say thank you to the over 30,000 State of Indiana employees! Their work makes a difference in the lives of Hoosiers with disabilities. IDR could not fulfill its mission without our amazing employees. If an IDR employee has made a positive impact on your life, drop a comment!

05/04/2026

Primary Election Day in Indiana is tomorrow! Polls will be open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. If you experience issues while trying to cast your vote, there are things you can do!
1. Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) and talk to an advocate. They can help you understand your options.
2. If you are told you can't vote, ask the poll worker for a PROVISIONAL BALLOT. This ballot will be counted after your issue is fixed. It is your responsibility to resolve the issue within ten days.
3. If you feel your right to vote was violated due to your disability, call IDR.
Download IDR's "Your Voting Rights in Indiana: A Voting Guide for Hoosiers with Disabilities" athttps://www.in.gov/idr/files/IDR-Your-Voting-Rights-in-Indiana-PL-2026.03.pdf on your phone, and take it (and your photo ID!) to your polling location tomorrow, May 5!

04/24/2026

Count US IN is offering free Election Defenders trainings, featuring IDR Attorney Tash Crespo. You can support voters' rights in your neighborhood as an Election Defender! Election Defenders inform people of their rights and are an in-person connection to the Election Protection Hotline. Being an Election Defender means being a witness to voting, offering emotional support, helping folks feel safe, connecting people to resources, supporting voting accessibility, and being a cheerleader. Anyone can be a defender. Help ensure ALL Hoosiers are safe, joyful, and heard, by defending the polls! Learn more at an upcoming training! Stipends are available!

Upcoming Trainings

Count US IN Election Defender Training: Lake & Porter County
Special Guest: Tash Crespo from Indiana Disability Rights
Sat. April 25, 2026, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. EST
Gary Public Library and Cultural Center (Meeting Room A)
220 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402
Register at
https://secure.ngpvan.com/p/pFJ1ibdi9EOmGCDz8YBDYw2

Count US IN Election Defenders: Virtual Training (All Counties Welcome)
April 29, 2026 at 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST (1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EST)
Virtual - Zoom
Special Guest: Tash Crespo from Indiana Disability Rights
Use Count US IN's General Volunteer form below to receive the link:
https://secure.ngpvan.com/pgfOBZEgukObLQbDxp681A2

04/17/2026

IDR is currently looking for an Abuse & Neglect Advocate/Investigator. For more information and to apply, visit the job details webpage at https://workforindiana.in.gov/job/Indianapolis-AbuseNeglect-AdvocateInvestigator-IN-46204/1382614500/ and click "Apply now."

04/17/2026

Know your voting rights! Absentee voting by travel board is an option if you expect to be unable to visit the polls on Primary Election Day due to a disability. You must complete the application found at https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=11337 and submit by noon the day before the Election. If you are unable to download, print, and mail the form, you can call your county election official or the Indiana Election Division at (317) 232-3939 for an application to be mailed to you. Please include a phone number and email address on the application! Then, someone will contact you to make an appointment for a bi-partisan team to deliver your ballot to you. They can assist you in completing your ballot, if needed. To learn more about voting by travel board, visit the Election Division’s Voter Information webpage at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/voter-information/ways-to-vote/absentee-voting/

04/08/2026

Indiana voters with disabilities can bring someone they trust to help them vote or request assistance from poll workers. If you need assistance, you can get help from:
👍A friend
👍A case manager, social worker, or therapist
👍A poll worker
👍Someone you trust
❌You cannot get help from your boss or union leader.
Ask for help before you go into the voting booth! Your helper must fill out a form at the polls.
👀Learn more with IDR's new resource: Your Voting Rights in Indiana: A Voting Guide for Hoosiers with Disabilities athttps://www.in.gov/idr/files/IDR-Your-Voting-Rights-in-Indiana-PL-2026.03.pdf

04/07/2026

Early voting starts today and continues through May 4. Contact your county clerk for early, in-person voting times and locations https://indianavoters.in.gov/CountyContact/Index
If you are a registered voter and need to vote absentee by mail, by travel board, or have a print disability and wish to vote electronically, remember to submit an absentee application by Thursday, April 23. To learn more, visit https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/voter-information/ways-to-vote/absentee-voting/ or visit the Indiana Voter Portal for more information at https://indianavoters.in.gov/

I just registered to vote using Indiana's Voter Portal. Update voting registration, see who's on the ballot, get election results, and so much more. Indianavoters.com

04/07/2026

Here are the dates you need to know to be ready to vote during the 2026 Election cycle.
*April 7, 2026: Early voting begins (Primary Election)
*May 5, 2026: Primary Election Day – Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
*May 19, 2026: Registration opens (General Election)
*October 5, 2026: Voter registration closes (General Election)
*October 6, 2026: Early voting begins (General Election)
*November 3, 2026: General Election Day – Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

04/06/2026

Today is the final day to register for the Primary Election in Indiana. Register to vote online by visiting www.indianavoters.in.gov . Indiana residents with a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state-issued identification card will be able to use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.