Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, Bloomington

Indiana's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Overview

The mission of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is to work with communities to welcome, value, and support the meaningful participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education, and service.

“To work with communities”

The Institute collaborates with community agencies, schools, advocacy organizations, government, institutions of higher education, and other community partners to effect improvements in quality of life.

“to welcome, value, and support the meaningful participation for people of all ages and abilities”

This is the core of our mission. It defines outcomes for diverse individuals, including people with disabilities, in all life spaces: schools, employment, home, and community settings.

“through research, education, and service.”

Research means investigation and inquiry into ideas and practices in order to develop knowledge that will benefit people of all ages and abilities.

Education means teaching approaches, concepts, and new knowledge to students and community members in schools, institutions of higher education, and in community settings.

Service means putting research and new knowledge into practice in educational and community settings. Service means collaborations and partnerships to promote inclusive communities. Services means participation in local, state, national, and international, and higher education committees, councils, and association activities and governance.

The Indiana Institute is comprised of Centers that address life span issues. Areas of emphasis include:

Early intervention;
School improvement and inclusion;
Transition, employment, and careers;
Age-related change;
Autism spectrum disorders;
Individual and family perspectives;
Planning and policy; and
Disability information and referral.

Center Overviews

Early Childhood Center...

works to link research and practice in advancing the field of early education. Its current focus is the universal design of early education that helps all children and families enter school successfully.

Center on Education and Life long Learning...

collaborates with schools and communities to welcome, include, educate and support all learners. Assistance is provided to schools on leadership, curriculum, instruction, positive behavior supports, and family participation.

Center on Community Living and Careers ...

promotes community supports on organizational change for adults with disabilities. The Center's focus includes improving transition and adult services through person-directed planning, community living, home ownership, employment, organizational change, and career development.

Center on Aging and Community ...

provides self-determination and social integration of aging adults with disabilities through participatory research, planning, and advocacy. The Center develops and disseminates information and provides training and technical assistance on self-advocacy, empowerment, adaptive housing, and the creation of communities for all ages.

Center for Disability Information and Referral ...

specializes in library and information referral services for those seeking disability-related information. Technical assistance is available on information technology and on services across the life span.

Center for Planning and Policy Studies ...

assists local and statewide organizations in gathering information and evaluating current policies and practices in order to enhance the inclusion and support of people with disabilities in community life. The Center focuses on public policy, strategic planning and evaluation, especially in facilitating citizen involvement in the decision-making process.

Indiana Resource Center for Autism ...

conducts outreach training and consultations, engages in research, and develops and disseminates information on behalf of individuals across the autism spectrum, including autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other pervasive developmental disorders. Efforts are focused on providing communities, organizations, agencies, and families with the knowledge and skills to support children and adults in typical early intervention, school, community, work, and home settings.

The Institute supports the activities of the Family and Individual Resource and Support Team (FIRST) ...

which promotes and enhances the perspectives of families and persons with disabilities throughout the Indiana Institute and serves as a resource to communities in Indiana.

David M. Mank, Ph.D., Director

Contact the Office of Information and Public Relations if your would like to receive this brochure in an alternative format.

For more information about the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, contact:

The Office of Information and Public Relations
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
2853 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47408-2696
Phone: (812) 855-6508
TTY: (812) 855-9396
Toll-Free 1-800-825-4733 (Toll free in Indiana/Persons with disabilities and family members)
Fax: (812) 855-9630
e-mail: iidc@indiana.edu
Internet: www.iidc.indiana.edu

Modified: 07/13/06