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"We were asking teachers to do some things they had not done before, to interact and support and teach kids that they didn't have a lot of experience doing in the past." An educator and a parent discuss the beginnings of integration of students with…

In 1998, Indiana’s “317 Commision” of consumers, advocates, and state officials published A Comprehensive Plan for the Design of Services for People with Developmental Disabilities, addressing the need for services to support people with…

"I don't know about you, Congressman, but it's important for me to know how to put my pants on every morning to keep my job here," was how John Dickerson paraphrased Congressman John Brademas in a memorable moment. The Congressman from South Bend,…

In 1991, Darcus Nims traveled to Washington D.C. to receive the national Victorian Award for Achievement from President George H. Bush, for overcoming overwhelming challenges in her life. She had lunch at the White House and it was "the first time I…

Mike Furnish, President/CEO of Special Olympics Indiana, was interviewed in 2013. Here he shares a brief history of the creation of the not-for-profit organization that provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with…

"The first part of the day I'd be downstairs, the second part they'd carry me up 10 steps, a landing, 10 more steps." Ric Edwards shares the story of his transfer from Culver Military Academy to a school in Spencer, Indiana after he became a…

Kathy Christoff and Bill Gilkey talk about the changes they have seen in Indiana mental health services since the 1960s. They discuss the development of mental health centers, improvements in medications, and the success of employment programs.…

"I bought a three bedroom house. And it's just me and I have a dog, and that's very exciting." Norman talks about his dream to own his own home, getting the help he needed and taking 15 classes on homeownership to prove he was credit-worthy. Norman…

"Jennifer really wanted to move so she kind of pushed it, and we did it and she was very excited." Dixie Patterson talks about her daughter moving into her first apartment at the age of 29 in 2000. Dixie says it was a bigger transition for her and…

"If you've ever seen the movie 'Forrest Gump', my mom was kind of like Forrest's mom." Andy was born with cerebral palsy in 1979, but his mom made sure he had the same opportunities as a child without disabilities. In the 1980s, Andy was mainstreamed…