Mission

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 of 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, international and higher education committees, councils, and association activities and governance.

The Institute is comprised of seven Centers that address issues in disability across the life span. Projects and programs across areas of focus include:

Early intervention wel254textonly.htm
School improvement and inclusion wel255textonly.htm
Transition, employment, and careers wel256textonly.htm
Age-related change wel257textonly.htm
Autism spectrum disorders wel258textonly.htm
Planning and policy wel259textonly.htm
Disability information and referral 260textonly.htm

The Indiana Institute pursues its mission with support from Indiana University and reports to the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Trustees of Indiana University.

Organizational Chart

Indiana University Board of Trustees

Indiana University President, Adam W. Herbert, Ph.D.

Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Sarita Soni, Ph.D.

Consumer Advisory Council, Director, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, David Mank, Ph.D., Family and Individual Resource and Support Team

Early Childhood Center, Michael Conn-Powers, Ph.D.

Center for Disability Information and Referral, David Mank, Ph.D.

Center for Education and Lifelong Learning, Sandi Cole, Ed.D.

Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Cathy Pratt, Ph.D.

Center for Planning and Policy Studies, Vicki Pappas, Ph.D.

Center for Community Living and Careers, Teresa Grossi, Ph.D.

Center on Aging and Community, Phil Stafford, Ph.D.

Areas of Emphasis Across Core Functions

The faculty and staff of the Indiana Institute emphasize collaborative linkages between its seven Centers and key stakeholders in Indiana through a set of goals and objectives organized around five areas of emphasis. These emphasis areas are addressed through a set of core functions which are federally-mandated.

Areas of Emphasis

Early Intervention and Child Care
Inclusive Education and Transition
Employment
Community Living
Community Supports

Indiana Institute Productivity in Core Function Areas

Interdisciplinary Training and University Course Instruction wel19textonly.htm
Research wel30textonly.htm
Training or Technical Assistance wel20textonly.htm
Dissemination wel21textonly.htm

Core Functions Chart

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Director, David Mank, Ph.D.

Core Functions

Interdisciplinary Training
Vicki Pappas, Ph.D.

Community Services
Teresa Grossi, Ph.D.

Family and Individual Resource and Support Team
Sharon Hauss, M.S.

Information Dissemination
David Mank, Ph.D.

Applied Research
David Mank, Ph.D.

The Institute recognizes the importance of family in our communities. In 1994, the Institute established a fourth core function not outlined in the passage of the June 1994 Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This additional "function" established a family-consumer perspective within the life span activities of the Indiana Institute affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. The activities of this Committee, the Family and Individual Resource and Support Team (FIRST) http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/wel37.htm, are interwoven throughout the Institute's other core functions.

Return to Indiana Institute Homepage welcometextonly.htm

This material is available in alternative formats upon request

Modified: 03/06/08