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"That's only for regular people, not for us kind of people." That’s what Darcus Nims says she was told when she wanted to take a typing class in school. Darcus founded Self-Advocates of Indiana, the statewide group of advocates with…

In 2016, Betty Williams received the Champions of Equal Opportunity Award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Betty received the award for her leadership in promoting voting rights, serving on committees…

“We’re out there advocating for people, and speaking up for people, and speaking up for what we want for our lives every day," explained Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) President Betty Williams. In this video produced in 2007, SAI members shared why…

This is a photograph of the Board of Directors of Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) in 2002. SAI is a statewide organization of adults with intellectual disabilities. It was founded in 1990 with a mission “to learn our rights and to speak out about…

Betty Williams, an active self-advocate, received the Champion of Equal Opportunity Self-Advocacy award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities in 2016. Betty speaks about getting involved in the self-advocacy movement…

“We have an opinion and it matters,” states Kelsey Cowley. Unfortunately, Kelsey didn’t feel many people listened to her during her school years. She says, “They just didn’t understand people with disabilities to the whole extent.” As President of…

This is a photograph of Betty Louise Williams (1959-2018) as an infant. She is being held in front of an incubator in the hospital. Betty grew up in Richmond, Indiana in the 1960s and 70s. She became a leader in the self-advocacy movement, serving as…

This photograph shows Betty Louise Williams (1959-2018) as an infant, wearing a white dress. Betty grew up in Richmond, Indiana in the 1960s and 70s. She became a leader in the self-advocacy movement, serving as president of both Self-Advocates of…

"Darcus had such a beautiful way of speaking the truth about people's experiences, the lack of freedom and choice in people's lives." In this interview excerpt, Deborah McCarty, executive director of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance, reminisces…

This is an undated photograph of Darcus Nims (1957-2008), a member of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance Steering Committee, speaking at a National Home Ownership Month (June) celebration in Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana. Darcus lived in…