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“It’s a relationship that’s based on what’s inside, not outside, and what’s in our minds and our heart.” When Danielle and Diane Pitmon were interviewed in 2018, they had been married as husband and wife for 18 years. They now share their life as…

“Muscatatuck was decertified and lost their ICF/MR certification that they'd had for about 20 years. And that was considerable revenue loss. And so, a decision was made through some -- a lot of discussion to -- that Muscatatuck would be closed.”…

"She shouldn't have to be put on a bus and spend 45 minutes on a bus one way to go to school," explains Pat Howey of her daughter's experience at six years old being sent to a school for children with physical disabilities. Pat discusses her…

Darcus Nims and Betty Williams, two of the founding leaders of Self-Advocates of Indiana, describe how their self-advocacy skills helped the inexperienced travelers maneuver around Washington, D.C.. Darcus was interviewed in 2006 and Betty was…

"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…

"What she has taught me, there's no way to ever repay it." Dan Stewart met self-advocacy leader Betty Williams in 1997, when he was applying for the position of executive director of the agency now known as Achieva Resources, a disability service…

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…

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…

“In terms of children being admitted, I assisted with some admissions of children. I’m not proud of that,” states Sue Beecher. In the late 1970s, Sue worked in the outpatient clinic at New Castle State Hospital and assisted with placing children…

“No children were really served in a community setting, in a public school, especially children with moderate to severe disabilities,” explains Pat Barber. Pat received her special education degree in the early 1970s from Indiana University. She…