Special Olympics Indiana Joins Indiana Disability Alliance

Special Olympics Indiana has joined the Indiana Disability Alliance (IDA), a statewide coalition working to provide a unified voice on issues affecting Hoosiers with disabilities.

The IDA brings together organizations and advocates focused on policies and services that promote independence, choice, community integration and quality of life for people with disabilities. Its work includes protecting and strengthening Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), educating policymakers and ensuring people with disabilities and their families have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

For Special Olympics Indiana, joining the Alliance provides an opportunity to share information, identify common priorities and work alongside organizations across the disability community on issues that can have a significant impact on athletes and their families.

“Special Olympics Indiana is committed to creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate fully in their communities, and that commitment extends beyond the playing field,” said Jeff Mohler, president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana. “While Special Olympics Indiana is not directly impacted by changes to Medicaid or Home and Community-Based Services, many of our athletes and their families are. Joining the Indiana Disability Alliance allows us to stand alongside them and other members of the disability community to make sure their voices are heard.”

The partnership comes at a time of significant change within Indiana’s disability service system, with resources stretched and decisions at the state and federal levels that could affect individuals with disabilities and their families.

One of the Alliance’s areas of focus is the future of Medicaid and HCBS. These services help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live in their homes and communities rather than more restrictive settings. The IDA has identified the risk of unnecessary institutionalization or re-institutionalization if community-based supports become unavailable, underfunded or difficult to access.

The issue directly intersects with Special Olympics Indiana’s commitment to independence and meaningful participation in community life.

“Every athlete deserves the opportunity to live, learn, work and participate in their community with the support they need,” Mohler said. “We believe that bringing organizations together and sharing a unified voice can help ensure that people with disabilities and their families remain part of the conversation when decisions are made about the services and supports they rely on.”

Through its membership in the Indiana Disability Alliance, Special Olympics Indiana will contribute its perspective and experience while continuing its mission of using sports, health and education programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities.