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Richmond, Indiana native Betty Williams was appointed to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities in 2014. She served as President of both the national organization Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered and of the statewide…

An article headlined "Governor Vows Changes at New Castle" appeared on the front page of the Logansport Pharos Tribune on May 7, 1997. Governor Frank O'Bannon visited the New Castle State Developmental Center on May 6, 1997 after an Indianapolis…

Thomas Hancock, age 10 months, with nurse at General Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, October 1946. Thomas entered Muscatatuck State School in 1951, living there until he died in 1981.

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…

"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…

Erika Steuterman visited the Indiana State Archive in 2013, as a way to face the difficult memories of visiting her older brother at Central State Hospital (Indianapolis) in the 1960s and 1970s. In this video, Erika shares some of those memories, and…

“I wish I had recorded all the stories that we heard during those interviews,” stated Bettye Dunham on interviewing Muscatatuck State Hospital and Training Center residents for jobs at the Jennings Training Center in the 1970s. She talked to…

“The mistreatment, people encouraged to mistreat each other,” explains Paul Shankland of his time as an activity therapy aide at Fort Wayne State Hospital from 1964 to 1971. In reflecting back on what he witnessed, Paul shares a story about a…

"I couldn't see myself making a career standing bagging somebody's groceries," Melody Cooper explains. Starting her employment at Goodwill Industries and then at a Meijer store, Melody was hired by The Arc of Indiana. She attributes her career growth…

Easter Seals Crossroads has been providing assistive technology services since 1979. Wade Wingler, Vice President of Technology and Information Services at Easter Seals Crossroads in Indianapolis, Indiana, discusses how the program has grown to…