ADA-Indiana

11/07/2025

Missed our webinar? You can still watch it in our webinar archive!

Check out our Arts-n-Rec session: Creating and Fostering Inclusive Wellness and Recreation Programs for Individuals with Disabilities.

Achieving health equity for people with disabilities means more than access—it requires inclusive, person-centered approaches to wellness and recreation. This session explores a three-stage model used by a large federally funded center in the U.S. to promote health and wellness across home and community settings.

Learn about the barriers people with disabilities face in community wellness programs, strategies for improving access, and how to advocate for inclusion in recreation and wellness spaces.

Watch now: bit.ly/inclusive-wellness
Webinar Archive: bit.ly/arts-n-rec

11/04/2025

https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/opinion/deaf-trail-runner-race-accessibility/

From gestures to tech, small accessibility tweaks can make every mile safer and more enjoyable for Deaf athletes

11/03/2025

When ADA Director Nick Stellema isn’t working to improve accessibility at the Indiana Department of Correcctions, he’s helping others become ADA educators.
Nick recently attended the ADA Trainer Leadership Network: Train-the-Trainer Workshop, a nationally recognized program that equips professionals to deliver training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The workshop uses a structured curriculum to support ADA implementation and awareness at the local level.
By completing this training, Nick joins a network of professionals committed to advancing ADA knowledge and compliance. We’re proud to have Nick on our team!
Nick is also the Vice-Chair for our ADA-IN Steering Committee.

10/24/2025

Ric Edwards, our ADA-IN Chairperson is featured in the November issue of Uniquely You! His story starts on page 34. Check it out!

A monthly magazine for the Special Needs Community - Written by individuals and families with Special Needs - Personal stories that will Inspire, Connect & give Hope to others in the Special Needs Com

10/24/2025

Research Study Title: Improving Inclusion by Addressing Gaps in Measuring Disability in Transportation Data Systems
Principal Investigator Name and Title: Yochai Eisenberg, Ph.D. Principal Investigator
Dear Potential Participant,
We are reaching out from the University of Illinois at Chicago to invite you to participate in our study! We are conducting a research project to learn about travel surveys and questions asked to people with disabilities. Your input will be invaluable in shaping our understanding.
The findings from the survey will be used to develop a guidebook that will support transit professionals in better understanding travel barriers faced by people with disabilities. We are looking for participants who identify as a person with a disability. Your participation includes filling out an initial screener that will check for potential participants’ eligibility for this study. (https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RAMnrHqe1BAMSy) After the screener, if you are eligible to participate in the study, you will receive a link to a survey that will ask you questions about some demographics, your travel experiences, and your opinions on how transportation professionals measure disability.
Those who complete the study will be entered into a lottery to receive a target gift card of $20 with a 1 in 10 chance of winning.
To be eligible for the study, you must meet the following criteria: you are an adult (18 years or older), person with a disability, you are your own legal guardian, you live in the United States, you are able to speak and understand English, and you use public transportation.
If you have any questions about participating in this project, please contact:
Kevin Hans Waitkuweit at kwaitk2@uic.edu

10/22/2025

The Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago is hiring a visiting research associate II to support a 3-year study - Accessibility Cities for All. The Accessible Cities for All Project is a Knowledge Translation grant funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

The research associate will be involved in implementing the development of new training and resources for knowledge translation for people with disabilities and ADA coordinators in Cities. They will join a unique research team based in the Great Lakes ADA Center and involving community and regional partners.

To learn more, view the attached announcement.

Interested applicants for the full-time position must apply by November 6, 2025 online here:

The Accessible Cities Project is a Knowledge Translation grant funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation ...

10/21/2025

We’ve got an exciting new resource for those hoping to become more welcoming to people with disabilities! The Disabilities Awareness Training Video Course is an eight-part series guiding the user through building a more inclusive and universally designed experience in your organization and community. We encourage you to share these videos and take the information relevant to your work.

You can check them out on our website: https://www.awsfoundation.org/grants/grantee-resources/.

Image description: Graphic featuring text that reads ‘AWS Foundation Disabilities Awareness Series Training Video Course.’ The design has a blue and gold background with illustrations of two human silhouettes, one adult and one child, on the right side.

10/21/2025

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and support survivors.

Research provided by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), U.S. Department of Justice, shows that individuals with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victims of violent crime as those without disabilities.

Yet, many victim assistance agencies report that they rarely serve victims from this population, as acts of physical aggression, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes against people with disabilities often go unreported.

Learn how to improve awareness and services for victims with disabilities through these resources from the OVC: bit.ly/resources_ovc

10/16/2025

Here at the IARF Conference in Noblesville. With Tina Acosta, Ric Edwards and Nicholas Stellema

10/07/2025

Accessible Birdwatching ---Birding is always better together!
If accessible birding isn't available in your community, please share this information with your community partners. Now is the perfect time to start the planning for 2026!

Birding is better together, and access makes it possible.

Across the country, Birdability Captains, partners, and friends are hosting accessible, inclusive birding outings to celebrate Birdability Week! These in-person events are all about community, joy, and making sure every body and every mind feels welcome in birding spaces.

Rolling, strolling, using a cane, resting on benches, or just showing up exactly as you are, we want you to know you belong there.

Find an event near you on the map at birdability.org/birdability-week and join us!

Hosting something? We’re still accepting new events, so submit yours and help build a movement where access is the point.

You Belong Here. Let’s bird together. Or bird with us virtually throughout Birdability Week by tuning in to IG Live every morning at 10am ET for birding from around the country with Birdability Captains and community!

Or bird in any way that feels right for you! By car, or by window, by sound or by sight, on a trail or in your backyard, ANY WAY YOU BIRD, please join us for Bird(ability) Your Way Weekend, October 25-26, 2025 .



Image description:
Graphic with a blue background featuring teal and navy starburst shapes. At the top left, white text reads “Birdability Week 2025” beside a small white feather logo. Below it, the Birdability Week 2025 theme graphic says “YOU BELONG HERE.” Text underneath reads “October 20–26, 2025.” Centered large white text reads “Bird(ability) YOUR Way Weekend.” Below that: “October 24–26, 2025” and “Bird the way it works for you and share your birding joy! Find an accessible outing near you at birdability.org!” Three circular photos showcase diverse birders enjoying accessible birding: one group walking with white canes, another with people using wheelchairs on a nature trail, with others following behind, and one person signing during a group birding event. A QR code appears in the bottom right corner.

10/07/2025

Cheers to Target!

Accessible design created with the blind community to debut in stores this holiday season Features tactile controller, audio prompts and guest-first technology for independent checkout Part of...

09/23/2025

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is collaborating with community agencies to host a FREE webinar in Spanish to learn about Disability Rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act with special guest Wilmer Valderrama. September 24, 2025 at 7:00-8:30 PM ET. Register to participate in the Spanish webinar via Zoom https://loom.ly/mWrXNQI