Self-Advocates of Indiana

Self-Advocates of Indiana Self-Advocates of Indiana works to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

SAI has more than 40 active self-advocate groups around the state. Groups meet regularly to discuss issues, plan events, meet with local and state officials, participate in service opportunities, and other activities to promote equality, respect, and dignified lives for people with disabilities.

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San ...
04/14/2026

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San Francisco and AT&T to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) develop the skills and confidence to safely and effectively participate in digital life. These webinars will take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, March 3rd to May 5th.

Today’s topic will be Mobile Device Basics (iOS)

Click the link below to register!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mNQCnjQIevii7qXQEWMw

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San ...
04/07/2026

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San Francisco and AT&T to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) develop the skills and confidence to safely and effectively participate in digital life. These webinars will take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, March 3rd to May 5th.

Today’s topic will be Mobile Device Basics (Android)

Click the link below to register!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mNQCnjQIevii7qXQEWMw

Today is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana primary. If you’ll be 18 by the general election in November, you c...
04/06/2026

Today is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana primary. If you’ll be 18 by the general election in November, you can register to vote for the May primary election.

It's really simple! You need your ID and about five minutes.

If you're already registered, make sure you double check your voter registration!

Indianavoters.in.gov

We’re so grateful you’ve walked down memory lane with us and are looking ahead to what’s next. Celebrating 70 years mean...
03/31/2026

We’re so grateful you’ve walked down memory lane with us and are looking ahead to what’s next. Celebrating 70 years means celebrating every person, family, and advocate who’s been part of our story. Stand with us as we continue working for a future where everyone belongs and has the chance to shine.

Starting tomorrow, The Arc is kicking off their membership campaign, Shaping the Future! We look forward to what comes next -- and having you come with us.

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San ...
03/31/2026

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San Francisco and AT&T to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) develop the skills and confidence to safely and effectively participate in digital life. These webinars will take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, March 3rd to May 5th.

Today’s topic will be Video Conferencing Basics

Click the link below to register!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mNQCnjQIevii7qXQEWMw

April 6th is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana primary. If you’ll be 18 by the general election in November, y...
03/30/2026

April 6th is the deadline to register to vote in Indiana primary. If you’ll be 18 by the general election in November, you can register to vote for the May primary election.

It's really simple! You need your ID and about five minutes.

If you're already registered, make sure you double check your voter registration!

Indianavoters.in.gov

Over the past 15 years, The Arc of Indiana has continued to strengthen its role as a leading voice for people with IDD a...
03/27/2026

Over the past 15 years, The Arc of Indiana has continued to strengthen its role as a leading voice for people with IDD and their families.

Through hard work and planning, our Blueprint for Change helped drive new Medicaid waivers. What started as a dream became Erskine Green Training Institute - the nation’s first postsecondary vocational training program for people with disabilities. And through our legislative work, Indiana is now a leader in advancing Supported Decision-Making as an alternative to guardianship.

We’ve continued to ensure voices are heard - through storytelling, leadership development, and supporting self-advocates and families in sharing their real-life experiences with policymakers.
As we celebrate 70 years, we’re proud of the progress made and focused on what comes next. We invite you to stand with us, alongside self-advocates, families, and the pioneers who began this work, as we continue building a world where all people can live, learn, work, and thrive.

Melody Cooper is a familiar face in Self-Advocates of Indiana and at The Arc of Indiana. Her journey hasn't been straigh...
03/25/2026

Melody Cooper is a familiar face in Self-Advocates of Indiana and at The Arc of Indiana. Her journey hasn't been straightforward, but she's always known what she wanted: a career of her own, where she was in charge.

Mel is the self-advocacy specialist for The Arc and is the current region 5 representative of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, or SABE. She regularly attends events like the Disability Policy Seminar and trains other Self-Advocates on how they, too, can create the career they love.

To learn more about Mel's journey, click here: https://www.indianadisabilityhistory.org/exhibits/show/sai/item/117 #

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San ...
03/24/2026

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San Francisco and AT&T to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) develop the skills and confidence to safely and effectively participate in digital life. These webinars will take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, March 3rd to May 5th.

Today’s topic will be E-mail Basics

Click the link below to register!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mNQCnjQIevii7qXQEWMw

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San ...
03/17/2026

The Arc of Indiana is hosting a 10-week webinar series in partnership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of San Francisco and AT&T to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) develop the skills and confidence to safely and effectively participate in digital life. These webinars will take place on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, March 3rd to May 5th.

Today’s topic will be Internet Basics

Click the link below to register!

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_14mNQCnjQIevii7qXQEWMw

In the early 1970s, The Arc was part of the successful effort to ensure all children receive a free, appropriate public ...
03/13/2026

In the early 1970s, The Arc was part of the successful effort to ensure all children receive a free, appropriate public education. In 1973, we cohosted Indiana’s first Special Olympics state games, celebrating the abilities of athletes with disabilities across the state.

As the decade progressed, community residential programs expanded, and advocacy efforts helped end the practice of compulsory sterilization of people with IDD.

The momentum continued in the 1980s with legislation preventing local zoning from blocking community residential homes. And in 1987, The Arc proudly launched The Arc Master Trust, creating new financial security options for people with disabilities and their families.

Together, these milestones helped move Indiana toward greater inclusion and opportunity.

In January of 1990, Darcus Nims asked helpers to leave a meeting in order to find out what her peers with disabilities w...
03/11/2026

In January of 1990, Darcus Nims asked helpers to leave a meeting in order to find out what her peers with disabilities wanted from life. A lot of their desires were similar. They wanted relationships, jobs, and independence. Those individuals went back to their communities and began meeting regularly.
Self-Advocates of Indiana was born!

Now, Darcus's legacy has spanned 36 years and more than 40 chapters of SAI around the state. Darcus herself said that the thing she was proudest of was creating SAI, and she should have been. Former presidents Shawn Fulton, Melody Cooper, and Darcus's niece, Nicki Hinkle, all say that, were Darcus alive today, she would be ecstatic about what a difference she made in the lives of people with IDD.

To learn more about Darcus and her amazing contributions, check out the Indiana Disability History project here: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/cf95k186m

Address

143 W Market Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN
46204

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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