Minkler announces disability rights roundtable

PRESS RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS–Disability rights advocates met recently to learn about new resources and to share information during the second Disability Rights Roundtable convened by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. The U.S. Attorney’s office convened the first meeting of this group in March 2018, during Disability Awareness Month. Monday’s event was held at the Indiana Disability Rights offices at 4701 North Keystone Avenue, Indianapolis.  The collaborative effort included more than 20 participants from advocacy organizations, state and local government and service providers.

Vicki Johnson of AWS Foundation, a not-for-profit entity in support of the disability community presented Indiana Disability Resource Finder, a new system navigator that will provide access to resources for people with disabilities and their families as well as service providers. FINDER, is designed to be inclusive and accessible, and should be available for users in the spring of 2019.

Melissa Keyes, Legal Director for Indiana Disability Rights, talked about her organization’s efforts in supported decision making and the possibility of legislation on this issue during the next legislative session. Kim Dodson, Executive Director of the Arc of Indiana, reviewed the report and recommendations prepared by the Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The task force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, developed a comprehensive plan to implement community-based services to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Joel Boehner, Executive Director of IN*SOURCE, shared his group’s new public service announcement, which can be found at https://youtu.be/UWBg8bA7wYE. Tammy Themel, Executive Director of Access Ability, invited participants to contribute to upcoming focus groups about consumer change, to be sponsored by her organization in upcoming months.

The Disability Rights Roundtable plans to meet again in February 2019.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This event demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to the enforcement of civil rights through outreach and communication with local groups, organizations and law enforcement officials. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 7.3

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