Team Updates

Abuse, Neglect, & Discharge

Monitor and Investigate

Investigations Lead to 18 Licensing Reports Filed with Overseeing Entities

IDR staff regularly monitor and investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, or other rights violations of individuals with disabilities receiving services in facilities. IDR’s investigation often leads to a more in-depth investigation by the overseeing entity, which is the state agency that grants the facility’s operating license. The overseeing agency must ensure the facility meets legal, safety, quality, and staffing standards. This quarter, IDR’s investigations led to 18 licensing reports filed with overseeing entities. (P&O 1.1)

Advocate

Clarifying Complaint Procedure Supports Advocacy for "Finn"

A report was made to IDR that Finn was being overmedicated in the acute psychiatric hospital where he was being treated. IDR confirmed that proper procedure was not followed for an Emergency Detention Order. IDR offered Finn and his family step-by-step instructions (technical assistance) for filing complaints with DMHA, IDOH, the hospital, and the Joint Commission. IDR also ensured Finn had access to the Know Your Rights resource. (P&O 1.1, 2.1)

Educate

IDR Spotlights Rights Resources at NAMI Indiana Criminal Justice Summit

IDR showcased its plain language voting rights resource, adult rights handbook, and youth rights coloring book at the NAMI Indiana Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit on March 6, where more than 500 advocates and professionals gathered. IDR staff connected with over 100 attendees, including self-advocates, hospital administrators, prosecutors, and nonprofit leaders, resulting in 15 follow up requests for technical assistance and presentations. Several facility administrators committed to print and distribute IDR’s rights resources to their patients. (P&O 2.6, 3.1)

Rights Resources a "Great Addition" to NAMI in the Lobby Program

NAMI Indiana printed and added the adult rights book and the youth rights coloring book to their crisis resource kits, which are given to families seeking care for a child, youth, or young adult experiencing a mental health emergency. The program’s director said, “Thank you for sharing the youth and adult rights resources—they’ve been a great addition to our ‘NAMI in the Lobby’ resource kits at Riley Hospital.” (P&O 1.1, 3.1)

National Partners Adopt IDR's Plain Language Rights Resources

IDR’s Know Your Rights series continues to inform and support Protection & Advocacy agencies nationwide. This quarter, Your Voting Rights in Indiana: A Voting Guide for Hoosiers with Disabilities was shared with seven P&As for adaptation to their state laws. Additionally, the Know Your Rights: Adults Receiving Inpatient Mental Health Treatment in Indiana resource and the Know Your Rights Coloring Book were requested by P&As in Alaska and Virginia for use in facility monitoring and patient rights groups. Virginia also plans to translate the coloring book into Spanish, expanding its reach even further. Since its publication, the Know Your Rights Coloring Book has been used or adapted by P&As in 27 states and territories. (P&O 1.1, 3.1)

Success Story

Community Mental Health Centers to Include IDR Resource in Admissions Process

Jenna Ward, of DMHA, provided the adult rights book to case managers and heads of all community mental health centers (CMHC) and certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHC). One case manager responded that IDR’s explanation of the emergency detention order (EDO) process is the best she has seen. “It is clear, concise, and written in a way that people who are in crisis can understand,” the case manager said. Ward has instructed the CMHCs and CCBHCs to include the adult rights resource in their admissions information going forward. This change will affect hundreds of Hoosiers receiving mental health care each year. (P&O 1.1)

Monitoring

Monitor and Investigate

Monitoring Visits Ensure Appropriate, Timely, and Effective Care

IDR staff provided one-on-one advocacy and technical assistance 67 times during 32 monitoring visits this quarter, an average of 2-3 opportunities per visit where advocates reinforced an individual’s rights and advocated on behalf of that individual with staff about concerns or conditions needing addressed. This quarter’s 32 monitoring visits took place at 10 facilities. (P&O 1.1, 2.1)

Success Story

Expanding Staff Capacity Through Cross-Training

IDR staff not previously assigned to state facilities conducted observational monitoring visits at each of the state psychiatric hospitals this quarter. These visits allow IDR to monitor the quality of services provided by the hospital and IDR. This cross-training approach builds a more flexible, skilled workforce and enhances IDR's ability to deliver consistent, high-quality oversight across all settings. (P&O 1.1, 3.1)

Rep Payee

Monitor and Investigate

Safeguarding Beneficiaries Through Representative Payee Reviews

This quarter, IDR staff completed 20 cases, continued to work on 39 cases currently in progress, and initiated 31 new cases. As part of this effort, staff completed 134 appointments, including payee, beneficiary, legal guardian, and third-party interviews, to ensure a thorough understanding of each individual’s financial and personal circumstances. This work directly supports IDR’s mission and aligns with the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018. (P&O 1.1)

Civil Rights

Advocate

Extra Fee for Caregiver a Violation

“Frances,” an individual with a disability, required assistance at the gym. He requested that the gym allow his daughter to accompany him as an assistant/caretaker so that he could use the gym but was told that she would need to pay for membership or a guest pass. IDR sent a letter to the gym explaining the requirements of the ADA. Thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the gym allowed Frances’ daughter to accompany him without charge and provided gym staff additional training on the requirements of the ADA. (P&O 2.1)

Educate

Providing Technical Assistance to Protect the Rights of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

IDR provided technical assistance to a Fort Wayne volunteer supporting individuals experiencing homelessness by explaining how to request reasonable modifications to city policies governing encampment clean-up actions. This guidance helps ensure that individuals with disabilities living in encampments are protected and their rights are upheld. (P&O 2.1)

Success Stories

Helping a Resident Secure Reasonable Time to Avoid Eviction

Sam Adams provided technical assistance to an individual with mental health impairments, including hoarding disorder, to successfully request additional time to clean her apartment, to avoid eviction. (P&O 2.1)

Wheelchair User Cited for Parking Needed to Maintain Accessibility

“Fletcher,” a wheelchair user, was cited for his wife’s car being parked on the lawn, so that he could safely access their driveway with his accessible vehicle. Thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the city granted an accommodation allowing Frank and his wife to park her vehicle in their yard so that he can park his accessible vehicle in the driveway. (P&O  2.1)

Systemic Litigation

Case to Allow Mothers to Provide Attendant Care Services for Their Medically Fragile Children Continues

Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, et al. v. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, et al. (1:24-cv-833-TWP-TAB; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana)

Education

Advocate

New IEP Needed After Discharge

After “Frankie” was released from inpatient care, his school wanted to follow the old IEP. So much had changed that Frankie’s parents voiced their concern, but the school was insistent. Frankie’s parents called IDR. An IDR advocate was able to advocate for Frankie at the case conference committee meeting. Together, the team developed a new IEP, reflecting Frankie’s changing educational needs. (P&O 2.1)

School Fails to Notify Parent After Improper Hospital Admission

After a school admitted it failed to follow “Chelsey’s” IEP by notifying her mother before sending her to the hospital for emergency mental health treatment. IDR assisted Chelsey and her mom parent in negotiating updates to the IEP and Health Care Plan The school issued an apology, implemented appropriate plans if the child is in distress focused on de-escalation, and thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the plans should prevent this from occurring again. (P&O 2.1)

Educate

Preparing Students for Life After High School

In March, IDR staff Shari Stites presented to 63 students, family members, and teachers at the Evansville Community Schools Transition Resources Night. In total they received 162 print resources, about education, employment, and voting. Attendees were very excited about the information. One teacher told Shari, "We didn't know all IDR did! We never thought of getting students photo ID and registering them to vote at the same time!" (P&O 2.2, 3.1)

IEPs Still in Force During eLearning

Sam Adams was featured in recent news story exploring the effects of e-learning and asynchronous instructional days on students with IEPs or 504s. IDR explained that weather-related eLearning days do not excuse schools from their obligations to students with disabilities. Schools should plan ahead to ensure that they still provide necessary services, supports, and accommodations when doing eLearning so that students with IEPs or 504 plans receive a free appropriate education and do not fall behind. Parents can and should take actions to make sure their student's IEP addresses how the student will receive services during eLearning. Explore the ABC57 (South Bend) news story. (P&O 2.2, 3.1)

Success Story

Advocating After Eighteen

"Jimmy,” who received homebound services from his school, turned 18. Jimmy’s school notified his father that they would no longer communicate with him about Jimmy’s educational services since Jimmy was now an adult. IDR helped Jimmy’s father gather the necessary documents to establish he is Jimmy’s educational representative. Thanks to IDR’s support, Jimmy’s father was able to advocate successfully for Jimmy to return to school with transportation, 2 to 1 staffing, and reevaluations. (P&O 2.1)

Employment

Advocate

Denied Required Training to Meet Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

After VR denied “Felix’s” request for specialized training required to meet his agreed-upon IPE, Felix requested help from IDR. Thanks to funding through the CAP program, IDR offered Felix technical assistance, including guidance regarding appeals, review of IPE, and other strategies. With IDR’s help, Felix was able to advocate for himself successfully, and VR agreed to pay for his specialized training. VR cannot arbitrarily deny services essential to Felix’s approved employment plan. (P&O 2.2)

Educate

Addressing Delayed Services and Communication Breakdowns

“Fred” contacted IDR after months of delayed services and unanswered requests for an assistive technology evaluation from VR. An IDR advocate met with Fred, the VR counselor and a VR supervisor, and within three weeks, Fred’s neuro-vocational evaluation was completed and he was finally moving forward toward his employment goal. (P&O 2.1, 2.2)

Success Story

Position Eliminated During Medical Leave

“Fraya” sought help from IDR after her employer eliminated her position while she was on medical leave and later terminated her employment. IDR determined her rights under the ADA were likely violated, and thanks to IDR’s advocacy, a settlement was reached that improved the outcome for Fraya. (P&O 2.1)

Health Care

Monitor

Increased Requests for Appeals Support

This quarter, the Health Care Team noticed a sizable increase in requests to represent PathWays for Aging Medicaid Waiver participants in appealing decisions to dramatically decrease their care services, including attendant care (ATTC) and home and community assistance (HCA). (P&O 2.3)

Advocate

Advocacy Restores Critical In-Home Support Hours After Improper Reduction

IDR assisted an individual with disabilities who appealed a drastic reduction in their in-home support hours (from 40 hours to just 14 hours) by their managed care provider. Emily Munson secured testimony that the provider’s physician, responsible for overseeing authorization for these services, had not reviewed relevant medical records prior to opposing services, and would have authorized additional hours had she reviewed those records. The Administrative Law Judge remanded the client’s case for redetermination of appropriate services. (P&O 2.3)

Success Story

Overnight Caregiver Not "Unauthorized Occupant"

"Florence" has complex medical needs and requires 24-hour monitoring/care. Florence’s family reported that the landlord considered Florence’s overnight caretaker to be an unauthorized occupant. IDR explained Florence’s rights to the landlord and assisted the family to provide the landlord with the information needed. Thanks to IDR’s advocacy, the landlord approved Florence’s caregiver as a reasonable accommodation and Florence can continue receiving the care she needs. (P&O 2.1, 2.3)

Self-Determination

Monitor

Advocating Stronger Statewide Supports for Hoosiers with Traumatic Brain Injury

IDR staff attended the February 18 session of the TBI Statewide Advisory Board & Stakeholder Meeting, which reviewed Indiana’s 2025 TBI needs assessment and identified major service gaps. By engaging in this work, IDR ensures that statewide objectives, such as expanding source facilitation, strengthening infrastructure, and implementing evidence-based self-management programs, advance the rights and support needs of Hoosiers with TBI. (P&O 2.4)

Advocate

Supporting Rights Restoration

After facing family pressure not to seek termination of her guardianship, “Faye” reached out to IDR for support. IDR provided education on supported decision-making, helped her secure the CIH Waiver, and successfully represented her in terminating the guardianship over her. Thanks to IDR, Faye's rights are restored and she is now living in a less restrictive setting with the support she needs to thrive. (P&O 2.4)

Educate

Engaging Educators on Students' Rights and Supported Decision-Making

IDR staff presented to the East Indiana Transition Cadre, a multi-disciplinary group of special education professionals. The presentation, focused on transition-aged youth, was about decision-making supports and why educators should be cautious about recommending guardianship for all young adults. The training emphasized disability rights, federal legal requirements, and the role schools play in promoting less-restrictive alternatives that empower students as they move into adulthood. (P&O 2.4, 3.2)

Technical Assistance

Protecting Autonomy and Inclusion

This quarter, IDR staff provided technical assistance to ten government, legal, disability-service, and advocacy organizations on supported decision-making as a rights-affirming alternative to guardianship. As interest grows nationwide, driven by changes in law and services, IDR’s leadership ensures that Indiana’s disability community is equipped with tools that promote autonomy, meet federal requirements, and advance full inclusion in society. (P&O 2.4, 3.2)

Success Story

"Felicia's" Path to Rights Restoration Shows the Power of Collective Advocacy

Felicia contacted IDR because her guardian failed to file accounting reports to the court and failed to advocate when an error caused her to not receive her SSDI for over two years. Felicia’s guardian also demanded payment of thousands of dollars of unpaid ‘guardian fees.’ Over the last two years, IDR worked with Felicia, her friends, attorneys, government agencies, the courts and even her local congressman’s office. Thanks to dedicated advocacy by this team, Felicia’s guardianship was terminated and her rights restored. Felicia’s SSDI was restored with back pay. The financial issues were resolved, and Felicia chose to have her friends fill support roles through a power of attorney and Health Care Representative agreement. Felicia’s case illustrates the complexity of effective legal advocacy—and shows what is possible through cooperation and collaboration. (P&O 2.4)

Policy & Special Projects

Legislative Advocacy

HIV De-Criminalization Bill Not Passed This Session

Executive Director Melissa Keyes spoke out in favor of SB 280, a bill to de-criminalize HIV status introduced during the 2026 Legislative Session. This bill would update Indiana criminal code, reduce legal stigma, and align criminal penalties with scientific evidence regarding HIV transmission. The bill did not receive a hearing during the session. “Laws criminalizing people living with HIV without basis in current objective scientific evidence risk violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” Keyes said. (P&O 3.2)

Community Partnership Expands IDR's Reach

In March, Indianapolis City County Councilor Jesse Brown printed and distributed IDR rights resources to at least 50 constituents in his district at a neighborhood event for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Community partners help extend IDR’s reach and help fulfill our mission to protect and promote the rights of individuals with disabilities. (P&O 3.2)

Monitor

IDR Continues to Advance Collaborative Efforts with CPR and DDARS on CIE Transition and Waiver Redesign

This quarter, Melissa Keyes and Emily Munson and staff from the Center for Public Representation continued their bimonthly meetings with DDARS leaders, building on earlier work to strengthen Indiana's transition to CIE. Recent focus has been the need for DDARS to ensure that redesign decisions do not inadvertently limit access to CIE supports; to ensure employment services remain an available component of any waiver program. (P&O 2.3, 3.1)

Advocate

Proactive Improvements Ahead of New Website Accessibility Standards

In preparation for the April 2026 web accessibility standards, WCAG 2.1, Level AA, IDR staff resolved 71 website accessibility issues this quarter. Though the enforcement date of the new accessibility rules has been delayed until April 2027, staff will continue to address potential accessibility issues and bring all digital content into compliance well ahead of the deadline. (P&O 3.1)

Voting

Educate

Plain Language Voting Rights Resource Introduced

To ensure Hoosiers with disabilities are ready to vote, IDR has developed a resource called, Your Voting Rights in Indiana: A Voting Guide for Hoosiers with Disabilities. The goal of this resource is to provide individuals with a quick, clear explanation of voting rights, and offer tools and resources Hoosiers can use to ensure they are prepared to vote. The resource is free to download, print, and share, and can be accessed on IDR’s Hoosiers Vote website and Rights Handbooks webpage. (P&O 2.6, 3.1)

Putting Rights Resources in the Hands of Voters

Advocates took 50 voter registration forms and 50 plain language Know Your Voting Rights fact sheets on each state hospital visit, to ensure patients who wanted to vote could register, update their registration, and know the steps they need to take to be ready to vote in 2026. (P&O 2.6)

Voting Advocacy Groups Express Need for Plain Language Rights Resource

IDR staff attended the Hoosiers Vote Summit in February. Thanks to the connections made at this event, the organizers, ACLU-IN and Count Us Indiana, requested that IDR present the plain language voting resource at a meeting of voting advocacy organizational leaders, to encourage educating their constituents with disabilities. As a result of that presentation, a non-profit asked to list the resource on their voting advocacy website. Multiple organizations asked for the link to the document, so they could share it with community partners and constituents. (P&O 2.6, 3.2)

IDR Resources Support P&A Network

At a virtual meeting of PAVA advocates from around the P&A network, IDR’s Know Your Voting Rights resource was shared with P&As from seven states. Each expressed interest in adapting the resource for use in their state's voting advocacy work. (P&O 2.6, 3.2)

Education & Outreach

Educate

IDR Engagement and Outreach Grew Despite Funding Challenges

Even with funding uncertainties, IDR provided seven rights-focused presentations to 227 individuals with disabilities this quarter. Staff engaged with more than 500 community members at 2 outreach events this quarter. (P&O 3.1, 3.2)

Press

Journalists Turn to IDR for Guidance and Context on Advocacy Issues

IDR was contacted by media outlets five times this quarter, resulting in one published story, one radio segment, and two future stories due to be published next quarter.
News outlets frequently seek IDR’s insight and expertise on key advocacy issues. This quarter, a student journalist reached out to IDR to obtain accurate, accessible information regarding disability rights, abuse, and neglect. (P&O 3.1)

Supplemental Information

IDR Staff

Here is a current staff list.

Current Grant Programs

• CAP – Client Assistance Program
• PAAT – Protection & Advocacy for Obtaining Assistive Technology
• PABSS – Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
• PADD – Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
• PAIMI – Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
• PAIR - Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights
• PATBI - Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury
• PAVA - Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access

State Hospitals

• EPCC – Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center
• ESH – Evansville State Hospital
• LSH – Logansport State Hospital
• MSH – Madison State Hospital
• NDI – NeuroDiagnostic Institute
• RSH – Richmond State Hospital