Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities

10/16/2026

Did you know there is a federal law that helps protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD)?

Join us for the first session in our GCPD Leadership Lab Series: Understanding the DD Act!

Discover the history of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and how it laid the foundation for the work of Developmental Disabilities Councils across the country.

We'll explore how the DD Act guides Indiana's DD Council to inform Hoosiers, share information, help strengthen communities, and work to improve the lives of people with ID/DD and their families.

Whether you are a person with ID/DD, a family member, a professional, or a community member interested in learning more about the Council and its work, this session is for you!

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
12-1 PM ET | 11-12 PM CT
Location: Zoom (Virtual)

Register today:
https://tinyurl.com/GCPDDDACT

Everyone is welcome!



Image Description:
A blue and white flyer promoting GCPD Leadership Labs: Understanding the DD Act. The GCPD log appears in the upper right corner against a dark blue background. Below the title are the event details, registration information, and a QR code. A row of colorful icons represents people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, professionals, and community members. A blue outlined box reads "Everyone is Welcome!" The lower portion includes information about what participants will learn, alongside a photograph of a smiling Black man with Down Syndrome wearing a light brown sweatshirt. The GCPD.IN.GOV website appears at the bottom of the flyer.

10/15/2026

🌟 Did you know? 🌟
Since launching our digital application process a couple of years ago, the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities has received nearly 200 applications — including 140 submitted online.

But here’s the surprising part:
Only 23 applications have come from organizational and community programs, even though these groups have some of the closest, most immediate insight into the lived experiences of Hoosiers with disabilities.

Organizational and community leaders aren’t just observers — they’re often walking alongside individuals and families every day, navigating challenges, celebrating successes, and confronting barriers in real time. That perspective is invaluable to shaping disability policy and strengthening outcomes across the state.

If your organization:
• Supports people with developmental disabilities
• Works directly with families
• Advances ADA inclusion
• Provides services that help individuals build independence and thrive
Then your leadership belongs at the table.

Your real-world insight can drive meaningful, systemic change. Your voice can elevate the priorities that matter most. And your experience can help ensure Indiana continues to evolve into a more inclusive, supportive state for all.

👉 Apply today to serve on the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities.
tinyurl.com/INGCPD-MemberApply2026

📎 Outreach graphic attached — please share widely.
Let’s make sure those doing the work alongside individuals and families are also helping lead the way forward.



[Image description: Header reads: "Council Member Application" alongside four circular icons (megaphone, lightbulb, gear, and diverse group of people).
Tagline: "CONNECTED ★ VALUED ★ INCLUDED"
Body text: "Open recruitment for new members now active! Put your lived experience and advocacy leadership skills into action by applying to serve on the Council."
Bullet points: "Newly updated application," "Easy read options, with icons," and "Option to apply by online form, writable PDF, or Plain Text word document."
Additional note: "Already applied? No need to apply again! When a seat opens, your application will still be considered. Email the Council at [email protected] for alternate application formats."
Call to action: "Scan the QR code or use the link to apply: tinyurl.com/INGCPD-MemberApply2026"
Visuals: The right side of the graphic displays a grid of four photo panels showing various community members interacting, smiling, and using wheelchairs in social and organizational settings. A QR code and the GCPD logo appear in the bottom left corner.]

10/14/2026

🌧️ Supporting Hoosiers Recovering from the August 2026 Storms
Our communities continue working hard to recover from the August storms — and help is still available for Hoosiers affected, including Hoosiers with Disabilities. As we continue outreach, we know that not everyone is back in their homes or able to access digital media, so person‑to‑person connection remains one of the most important ways to make sure survivors receive the information and support they need.

⏰ There are less than two weeks left to apply for FEMA assistance.
Deadline: October 25, 2026.

🔎 Learn more about the disaster recovery operation in Indiana at www.fema.gov/disaster/4933.

✅ Simple Steps to Apply for FEMA Assistance

💻 Go online: DisasterAssistance.gov
📞 Call FEMA: 800‑621‑3362 (relay services welcome)
📱 Use the FEMA App
🏢 Visit an in‑person support site: on.in.gov/August2026Disaster
💼 Need financial help beyond FEMA? Apply for SBA low‑interest disaster loans at MySBA Loan Portal or call 800‑659‑2955 (TTY 711)

🔔 If You’ve Already Applied
Please stay in touch with FEMA:
📱 Update your phone number
📧 Update your email
🏠 Update your mailing address
Respond quickly to FEMA calls, texts, or document requests. Missing a message may delay your assistance — even if you were already approved.

🎥 Need help understanding the process?
ASL, Spanish, and English video guides are available to walk you through what to expect before and after applying.

For video assistance:
What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RF3tqG5Xhc | ASL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi_G2vI_fWU | Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKdhF_H6Z-w

Next Steps After Applying for FEMA Assistance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31lQzNga-oo | ASL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNgsCjqP3U | Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKdhF_H6Z-w

Disaster survivors who feel they have been discriminated against based on race, color, nationality, s*x, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status have the right to file a complaint by contacting FEMA at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

❤️💙💛 We’re here with you as Indiana continues to recover, rebuild, and move forward together. 💛💙❤️



[Image Descriptions:
An informational graphic titled "DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE" with a green thought bubble stating "Less than 2 WEEKS remain." It features the FEMA logo and lists three ways to apply: Online at DisasterAssistance.gov, Call (800) 621-3362, or In Person at on.IN.gov/August2026Disaster. On the right, an illustration shows a person using a laptop next to a large smartphone graphic.
Detailed Image Description (Best for adding in the post caption)
Image Description: An informational graphic about applying for FEMA disaster assistance.
Main Heading: Bold blue text reads "DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE".
Callout: A green thought bubble reads "Less than 2 WEEKS remain".
Application Options: Under a blue rounded badge reading "3 WAYS TO APPLY", three bullet points state:
Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
Call: (800) 621-3362
In Person: Visit a support site - on.IN.gov/August2026Disaster
Visuals: On the top right is the official FEMA logo. Below it is an illustration of a person sitting in a green chair using a laptop next to a large graphic of a smartphone.

Detailed Image Description
Image Overview: A promotional informational graphic in Spanish provided by FEMA regarding the deadline to apply for disaster assistance. The graphic features blue and grey text on a white background, accompanied by illustrations and the FEMA seal.
Text Content:
Main Heading (Blue Bold Text): FECHA LÍMITE PARA SOLICITAR ASISTENCIA DE FEMA
Subheading (Grey Rounded Box): 3 MANERAS PARA SOLICITAR
Options List:
En línea: DisasterAssistance.gov/es
Llamar: (800) 621-3362
En persona: Acuda a un centro de Ayuda - on.IN.gov/August2026Disaster
Visual Elements & Graphics:
Thought Bubble: A blue thought bubble next to the heading reads: "QUEDAN MENOS DE DOS SEMANAS"
Illustration: A person with dark hair sits in a blue beanbag chair using a laptop. Next to them is an line graphic of a smartphone displaying a profile icon screen.
Logo: Top right corner features the official FEMA emblem logo next to the bold text FEMA.
Short Alt Text (for Screen Readers)
Graphic titled "FECHA LÍMITE PARA SOLICITAR ASISTENCIA DE FEMA" announcing less than two weeks remain to apply for disaster assistance. Lists three ways to apply: online at DisasterAssistance.gov/es, by phone at (800) 621-3362, or in person at on.IN.gov/August2026Disaster. Features an illustration of a person on a laptop next to a giant smartphone and the FEMA logo. ]

10/14/2026

Sharing once more! Tomorrow is the last day to view this extraordinary film and meet Jen and her team for a Q&A. Already attended? Tell us about it in the comments!

Oh, hey there Indiana!

🌧️ 🎬 BIG NEWS!

Jennifer Msumba’s powerful documentary The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains is coming to Indianapolis 🎉

This unforgettable film tells Jennifer’s story of surviving institutional abuse at the Judge Rotenberg Center — and the remarkable life she has built since. Audiences are walking away both weeping and cheering. 💛 👏

🎥 Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/1143088307

And the trailer? Over 2 million views in the first week! 🔥
📍 INDIANAPOLIS – Heartland Film Festival
🗓️ Oct 12–15
🎤 In‑person Q&A with Jennifer + her team
🎟️ Tickets: https://tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org/Festival_Schedule/6a9044abc9f39a537d113afc

🏠 Want to host a home screening?
Limited virtual screening passes are available through Heartland!
https://watch.eventive.org/heartlandfilmfestival/play/6a8caa0d26f98166f0238d0e
Planning a watch party? 🎉 Connect with Nancy Weiss by email at [email protected] to get materials and tickets

🎵 Soundtrack now on Apple Music & Spotify! 🎶
https://vyd.co/TheFishDontCareWhenItRainsOriginalDocumentarySoundtrack
Jennifer and her team are also launching an Audience Impact Campaign to help end abusive practices like those used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. ✊

Organizations interested in supporting this movement can email Nancy Weiss at [email protected].

10/08/2026

Oh, hey there Indiana!

🌧️ 🎬 BIG NEWS!

Jennifer Msumba’s powerful documentary The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains is coming to Indianapolis 🎉

This unforgettable film tells Jennifer’s story of surviving institutional abuse at the Judge Rotenberg Center — and the remarkable life she has built since. Audiences are walking away both weeping and cheering. 💛 👏

🎥 Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/1143088307

And the trailer? Over 2 million views in the first week! 🔥
📍 INDIANAPOLIS – Heartland Film Festival
🗓️ Oct 12–15
🎤 In‑person Q&A with Jennifer + her team
🎟️ Tickets: https://tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org/Festival_Schedule/6a9044abc9f39a537d113afc

🏠 Want to host a home screening?
Limited virtual screening passes are available through Heartland!
https://watch.eventive.org/heartlandfilmfestival/play/6a8caa0d26f98166f0238d0e
Planning a watch party? 🎉 Connect with Nancy Weiss by email at [email protected] to get materials and tickets

🎵 Soundtrack now on Apple Music & Spotify! 🎶
https://vyd.co/TheFishDontCareWhenItRainsOriginalDocumentarySoundtrack
Jennifer and her team are also launching an Audience Impact Campaign to help end abusive practices like those used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. ✊

Organizations interested in supporting this movement can email Nancy Weiss at [email protected].

10/07/2026

📢 Event Update: Council Leadership Summit Postponed

The Council Leadership Summit has been postponed to March 2027. While we won't be gathering in person just yet, virtual opportunities are coming this fall!

Stay tuned to our page for fall virtual session details and the updated Summit registration link coming soon.

📧 Questions? Email [email protected] or call 317-232-7770.

Image Description:
Promotional graphic for the "2026 Council Leadership Summit," featuring a prominent POSTPONED status update.
The background is white with light blue and yellow decorative wave accents. The top-center of the image shows a photo collage of diverse individuals smiling, talking, and engaging at community events, framed within angled and circular panels.
Event Title: 2026 Council Leadership Summit, presented by the Governor's Council for People with Disabilities.
Theme: Living Fully: Strengthening Opportunities for Community Inclusion.

Postponement Announcement: Highlighted on the right side of the flyer, bold text states: "The 2026 Council Leadership Summit has been postponed until March 2027. A new registration link will be shared with the date change announcement." A dark blue stamp reading "POSTPONED" is prominently displayed across a QR code box labeled "SCAN HERE!"

Updated Date: March 2027 (Exact Date: To Be Announced).
Location: Fort Benjamin Harrison Inn & Conference Center, 5830 North Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216.
Contact Information: For questions, contact [email protected] or call 317-232-7770. Website listed is GCPD.IN.GOV.

09/29/2026

All setup and ready for a great evening at SEPAC’s CommUNITY Resource Fair in Porter County.

09/29/2026

Follow the live feed and hear from FSSA leadership about Medicaid Waivers. ⬇️

We're going live! 🎥 The Disability Town Hall starts tonight at 5:30 PM ET. 🔗 Live Stream Link: https://markeys.net/events/insilc-disability-town-hall/

If you can't attend in person, join us at the live stream link below to hear from FSSA leadership about Medicaid Waivers.

Image description: INSILC graphic promoting a Disability Town Hall for Greater Indianapolis on September 29, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 PM ET, with event information available at INSILC.org. The design uses blue and gold accents on a white background and a stylized orange podium appears on the right side.

09/25/2026

Officially closed — but only for today!

Hey everyone! Just a heads-up that the GCPD team is out of the office on Friday, September 25, 2026—we’re spending the day at the Self-Advocates of Indiana Annual Picnic at Hummel Park!

The picnic runs from 10 AM to 2 PM, and we’ll be back in the office on Monday.
If you’re stopping by the picnic, come say hi at GCPD’s table—we’d love to see you!

[A white flyer with bright blue, red, yellow, and orange geometric accents. Large navy-blue text reads “GCPD OFFICE CLOSED.” On the right side, a large yellow event badge hangs from a blue lanyard. The badge shows a basset hound wearing a black harness sitting beside a water bowl, with the GCPD logo visible on the wall behind the dog. Red and yellow arrows, blue circles, dots, and other geometric shapes decorate the flyer.]

09/24/2026

Get ready with us for the Self-Advocates of Indiana Annual Picnic! GCPD will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 25, 2026 so we can spend time with Self-Advocates, families, and friends at Hummel Park in Plainfield, IN from 10 AM to 2 PM. We hope to see you there!