Transcript: Jim Hammond Interview

Legislation

Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF)

Government Services

"Now disability politics, you know, is not Republican or Democrats, it's really nonpartisan but you still have to be recognized as someone who's reliable and trustworthy," observes Jim Hammond in this 2013 interview. Working with legislators was part of his job as CEO of the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF). "INARF is the trade association for providers of services," he explains. It was a $1 billion industry in 2012, the year he retired.

Jim discusses his 34 years with the membership organization, including its strong relationship with The Arc of Indiana, the envy of INARF's counterparts in other states. He describes the pool loan program, a tax exempt financing members created in 1992, and INARF's role in establishing unified standards for provider agencies and the adoption of an independent third party national accreditation program. He recalls founder Costa Miller, who was CEO until his death in 2004, and the "fierceness of his commitment." He discusses how funding for disability services has fared under various governors and their respective political parties.

Other topics include Medicaid waivers and the growing importance of technology such as video monitoring and "smart home" features in residences for people with disabilities.

Indiana Disability History Project

2013-01-11

James M. Hammond - Interviewee

Jennie Todd - Interviewer

Peggy Holtz - Interviewer

Copyright © 2016 The Trustees of Indiana University

application/pdf

English

Document

004-do

Jim Hammond, January 11, 2013, interview 004-mi, transcript, Indiana Disability History Project, Center on Aging and Community, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Bloomington, IN, http://indianadisabilityhistory.org

Indiana

1967-2012