Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, 2026! Are you ready to make your voice heard?

Voting is a fundamental right, and everyone, including people with disabilities, deserves equal access to the voting process. From accessible voting machines and transportation arrangements to understanding your rights at the polls, preparation can make all the difference.

At Easterseals Crossroads, we believe accessibility and inclusion should extend to every aspect of life, including the opportunity to participate in our democracy.

Whether you’re voting for the first time or have participated in elections for years, here’s what Hoosiers need to know before heading to the polls.

Important Dates and Deadlines for the 2026 Indiana General Election

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and polling locations throughout Indiana will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

Voter Registration Deadlines

• In-person registration: October 5, 2026 (close of business)
• Online registration: October 5, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
• Registration by mail: October 5, 2026 (postmarked by)

The registration deadline has passed, but registered voters can still verify their status and polling location at IndianaVoters.in.gov.

Voting Deadlines

• Early in-person voting: October 6 – November 2, 2026 (concludes at noon on November 2; hours vary by location)
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
• Polling hours: 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. local time

Absentee Ballot Deadlines

• Deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot: October 22, 2026
• Deadline for completed absentee ballots to be received: November 3, 2026, by 6:00 p.m. local time

If you’ve already received an absentee ballot but haven’t returned it, contact your county election office immediately to confirm where and how it can be delivered before the deadline. Mailing it today may not allow enough time for it to arrive.

Learn more about absentee voting in Indiana.

1. Know Your Polling Place

Before leaving home, make sure you know where you’re going.

Indiana polling locations are required to meet accessibility standards, but it’s still a good idea to confirm that your location meets your individual needs.

Consider checking for accessible parking, wheelchair-accessible entrances, clear pathways, and accessible voting equipment.

If you have questions about accommodations or assistance, contact your county election office before heading to the polls.

Find your polling location: IndianaVoters.in.gov

2. Understand Your Voting Rights

Having a disability should never prevent someone from exercising their right to vote.

Under federal and state laws, voters with disabilities have important protections designed to ensure equal access to elections.

These include the right to accessible polling locations, accessible voting equipment, and assistance when needed.

Accessible voting machines can provide features such as audio ballots, tactile controls, and other accommodations that allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballots privately and independently.

If you need an accessible voting machine, ask a poll worker for assistance.

For additional information, visit the Indiana Disability Rights Hoosiers Vote resource.

3. Know Your Absentee and Alternative Voting Options

For some individuals with disabilities, traveling to a polling location can present additional challenges.

Indiana offers absentee voting by mail to eligible voters, including individuals who qualify because of a disability.

Although the deadline to request an absentee-by-mail ballot for this election has passed, voters who have already received their ballots must ensure they are returned by the Election Day deadline.

Indiana also provides certain voting accommodations and procedures for voters who cannot physically access a polling location.

If you are unable to enter your polling location or have questions about available accommodations, contact your county election office for guidance.

Learn more about voting options for Hoosiers with disabilities.

4. Bring Proper Identification

Indiana requires voters to present an acceptable government-issued photo ID when voting in person.

Your identification must generally:

• Display your photograph.
• Include a name that conforms to your voter registration record.
• Be issued by the State of Indiana or the United States government.
• Have an expiration date that is current or expired after November 5, 2024, if the ID includes an expiration date.

Acceptable identification may include an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana state identification card, U.S. passport, or qualifying military identification.

Important for 2026: Student identification cards are not currently accepted as voter identification in Indiana following a federal court order.

If you don’t have an acceptable photo ID, you may still be able to cast a provisional ballot and complete additional requirements after Election Day.

Learn more about Indiana’s photo ID requirements.

5. Ask for Assistance if Needed

Every voter deserves the opportunity to cast a ballot with dignity, privacy, and independence.

If you need help voting because of a disability, assistance is available.

Voters who need assistance may generally choose someone to help them, subject to certain restrictions, or request assistance from election officials.

This assistance may include reading a ballot, marking selections, navigating the voting process, or operating accessible voting equipment.

Don’t hesitate to communicate your needs to poll workers.

For more information, visit Indiana Disability Rights’ voting FAQs.

6. Make a Plan Before Heading to the Polls

A little planning can help make Election Day less stressful.

Before leaving home, consider the following:

• Confirm your voter registration and polling location.
• Make sure you have an acceptable photo ID.
• Arrange reliable, accessible transportation if needed.
• Review your sample ballot and research candidates and ballot questions.
• Allow additional time for transportation, parking, and potential lines.
• Identify any accommodations you may need and contact your county election office with questions.

Remember, if you are in line before polls close at 6:00 p.m., you have the right to remain in line and vote.

You can review your voter information and available sample ballot resources at IndianaVoters.in.gov.

7. Report Accessibility Barriers

Despite accessibility requirements, barriers can sometimes occur.

If you encounter an inaccessible entrance, malfunctioning accessible voting equipment, or another issue that prevents you from voting, notify an election official immediately.

You can also contact the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE (866-461-8683) to report concerns or request assistance.

Indiana Disability Rights also provides resources to help Hoosiers with disabilities better understand and protect their voting rights.

Visit Indiana Disability Rights – Hoosiers Vote for additional information.

Your Vote. Your Voice. Your Right.

At Easterseals Crossroads, our mission is to lead the way in promoting inclusion, independence, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

That commitment includes ensuring individuals with disabilities have the information and resources they need to participate fully in their communities.

Voting is one of the many ways we can make our voices heard, advocate for the issues that matter to us, and help shape the future of our communities.

Accessibility should never be an afterthought, especially when it comes to exercising the right to vote.

As Hoosiers prepare to head to the polls tomorrow, we encourage everyone to make a plan, know their rights, and help ensure that voting is accessible to all.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

Find your polling location, verify your voter registration, and get ready to make your voice heard at IndianaVoters.in.gov.

Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Make it count!

In 1936, a small group of 12 teenagers with disabilities came together in Indianapolis with a simple goal: to socialize and connect with one another.

They could not have known it at the time, but their small gathering would become the beginning of something much bigger.

Ninety years later, Easterseals Crossroads has grown into one of central Indiana’s leading resources for people with disabilities and their families. While our programs, locations, and even our name have changed throughout the decades, our commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities has remained at the heart of everything we do.

Where It All Began

The story of Easterseals Crossroads began when Mrs. Sarah S. Gavin became involved with a club of 12 teenagers with disabilities in 1936. Gavin contacted her friend, Mrs. P. R. Mallory, and together they helped expand the group’s activities to include handicrafts that members could create and sell.

By 1939, the group had formally organized under the leadership of the Indiana Society for Crippled Children. Soon after, a workshop was established to help prepare people with disabilities for employment in the community.

Those early efforts established a philosophy that continues to guide Easterseals Crossroads today: people with disabilities deserve opportunities to participate fully in their communities, pursue their goals and maximize their independence.

Growing Alongside Our Community

As Indianapolis grew, so did the organization.

In 1956, the organization moved into a newly constructed two-story facility at 3242 Sutherland Avenue. The additional space allowed services to expand significantly, including physical, occupational, speech and hearing therapy; preschool and developmental programs; psychological and social services; vocational evaluation; and employment training.

In 1958, the organization became an affiliate agency of United Way of Central Indiana, beginning another important chapter in its connection to the greater Indianapolis community.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, services continued to evolve. Additional space was added to accommodate growing educational, developmental, psychological, and social programs. In 1970, Crossroads developed a communications therapy program serving people who were deaf as well as children with disabilities — a first of its kind in Indiana.

By 1973, employment services had expanded to include programs focused on developing job-seeking skills.

Technology Creates New Possibilities

As technology began changing American workplaces in the 1980s, Crossroads recognized that those changes could create new opportunities for people with disabilities.

Career and skills training expanded to include programs such as Computer Programmer Training, supported by IBM, as well as a Disabled Driver Evaluation and Training program.

In 1986, Crossroads established a Sensory Aids Technology Center with funding from the Indiana Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. The center helped people who were blind or visually impaired access computers using assistive technology.

That same year, Crossroads celebrated its 50th anniversary. By then, approximately 50,000 people had received services through the organization.

The growing focus on assistive technology would become an important part of Crossroads’ identity. In 1999, a $1 million grant helped fund the Ruth Lilly Assistive Technology Center, further expanding access to technology and resources designed to increase independence.

Finding a New Home

After operating from several locations throughout its history, the organization moved to 4740 Kingsway Drive in 1990.

The five-story building became the primary home of Crossroads and remains the main location of Easterseals Crossroads today.

By the mid-1990s, Crossroads had developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Its work included rehabilitation, employment programs, assistive technology and services that helped employers better understand accessibility and their responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The organization continued expanding at the turn of the century. In 2000, Crossroads assumed the Indianapolis Speech and Hearing Center, and Deaf Community Services became part of the organization.

New programs, locations and partnerships followed as Crossroads continued responding to changing needs throughout central Indiana.

Becoming Easterseals Crossroads

The organization’s connection with the national Easterseals network brought another evolution in its identity.

Although names, logos and branding have changed throughout our history, the purpose behind the organization has remained consistent: serving and advocating for people with disabilities and their families.

In 2016, as Easterseals Crossroads celebrated its 80th anniversary, the organization joined a nationwide Easterseals brand transformation designed to help change the way society defines and views disability.

Today, we are proud to be known as Easterseals Crossroads.

90 Years of Responding to Community Needs

The programs available today would have been difficult for those original 12 teenagers to imagine in 1936.

Easterseals Crossroads now provides services for people throughout their lives. Our work includes children’s therapy and early intervention, autism and behavior services, employment and transition services, adult day programs, assistive technology, Deaf and hard-of-hearing services, veteran services, home modification, and other programs designed to increase independence and quality of life.

The services have changed because the needs of our community have changed.

That ability to listen, adapt, and respond has been a defining part of our history.

When new technologies have created opportunities, we have worked to make those technologies accessible. When people with disabilities have faced barriers to employment, we have developed programs and partnerships designed to open doors. When families have needed support, we have worked to provide resources that meet them where they are.

And as society’s understanding of disability, accessibility, and inclusion has evolved, so have we.

Honoring Our Past by Building the Future

Celebrating 90 years is about much more than looking backward.

It is about recognizing the thousands of people who have shaped Easterseals Crossroads along the way — the people with disabilities and families who have trusted us, the employees who have dedicated their careers to our mission, and the volunteers, donors, community partners, and advocates who have helped make our work possible.

It is also about asking what comes next.

Our vision is a community with 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities. Reaching that goal requires the same willingness to innovate and respond that has guided Easterseals Crossroads since 1936.

The world has changed tremendously over the past 90 years. Technology has changed. Communities have changed. Attitudes toward disability have changed. The services we provide have grown and evolved along with them.

But the idea at the center of our work remains remarkably similar to where our story started.

In 1936, 12 teenagers with disabilities came together looking for connection, opportunity, and community.

Ninety years later, Easterseals Crossroads continues working to create a Central Indiana where people with disabilities have opportunities to connect, participate, work, learn, play, and live with greater independence.

Ninety years of service. Ninety years of progress. And we are just getting started.

If you’ve lived in central Indiana for any length of time, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Easterseals Crossroads.

But you may have also wondered: What exactly does Easterseals Crossroads do?

The answer is bigger than any single program or service.

For 90 years, Easterseals Crossroads has been part of the central Indiana community, serving and advocating for people with disabilities and their families. From a toddler working toward an important developmental milestone to an adult looking for meaningful employment, our programs are designed around a common goal: helping people maximize their independence and achieve what matters to them.

Serving Our Community Since 1936

Our story began in 1936 with a small group of teenagers with disabilities who came together for socialization. What started with just a few volunteers grew over the decades into one of central Indiana’s most comprehensive providers of disability services.

Today, Easterseals Crossroads provides services for children, adults and families throughout our community.

While the programs have changed and expanded over the years, our purpose remains clear: we serve and advocate for people with disabilities and their families.

Our vision is equally important: a community with 100% equity, inclusion and access for people with disabilities.

What Does Easterseals Crossroads Actually Do?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Easterseals Crossroads may be that we serve only children or people with certain types of disabilities.

In reality, our services can support people at many different ages and stages of life.

For children and families, that can include early intervention, autism services and augmentative communication. These services can help children develop skills, communicate, participate in everyday activities and become more independent.

As young people prepare for adulthood, programs such as transition services and Project SEARCH can help them explore employment, build workplace skills and prepare for what comes next.

For adults, our services include employment programs, adult day services and resources for veterans, among other supports. Our goal isn’t to define success for someone. It is to provide the resources and opportunities that can help each person pursue their own goals.

And our work goes beyond traditional disability services.

Through programs such as assistive technology, Deaf services and home modification services, we help people access tools, communication and environments that can make greater independence possible.

We also believe recreation, connection and belonging matter. Camps, respite programs and other community activities give people opportunities to have fun, build friendships, try something new and simply be part of their community.

Disability Can Be Part of Anyone’s Story

Sometimes people don’t think about disability services until they or someone they love needs them.

A child may experience a developmental delay. A teenager with a disability may begin thinking about life after high school. An adult may acquire a disability after an injury or illness. A veteran may need support transitioning to civilian life. A family may suddenly begin searching for assistive technology or ways to make a home more accessible.

There isn’t one type of person who comes through our doors.

That’s why Easterseals Crossroads offers programs that can support people across different stages of life.

And sometimes the most important thing we can provide is a place to start.

Independence Looks Different for Everyone

At Easterseals Crossroads, we talk a lot about independence.

But independence doesn’t have one definition.

It might mean a child finding a new way to communicate.

It could mean someone landing their first job.

It might mean learning to use assistive technology, developing skills to participate more fully in the community, finding resources after military service or gaining greater independence in everyday life.

The goal is not to decide what someone should be able to do. It is to listen to what they want to accomplish and help connect them with services, resources and opportunities that can support those goals.

That’s why our services are individualized and family-focused. Every person who connects with Easterseals Crossroads brings different experiences, abilities, challenges and goals.

Our Impact Reaches Beyond the People We Serve

When someone gains greater independence, the impact rarely stops with that individual.

Families gain support. Employers gain talented employees. Caregivers gain resources. Communities become more accessible and inclusive.

That ripple effect is an important part of who we are.

Easterseals Crossroads serves thousands of people with disabilities each year, but the broader impact extends to families, friends, coworkers, employers and others throughout our community.

Our work also includes creating employment opportunities directly. Crossroads Industrial Services, our competitive social enterprise division, has a workforce in which 75% of employees are people with disabilities who are paid market wages. Profits from the business help support underfunded services at Easterseals Crossroads.

It is one more way our mission extends beyond providing services and into creating opportunities.

We’re Here for Central Indiana

For someone unfamiliar with Easterseals Crossroads, the easiest way to understand us may be this:

We are a resource for people with disabilities, their families and our community.

You don’t need to know the name of the program you need before contacting us. You don’t need to understand every service we provide. And you don’t need to have all the answers.

Whether you’re a parent looking for resources for your child, a person with a disability looking for greater independence, a job seeker, a veteran, a caregiver, an employer wanting to build a more inclusive workforce or a community member who simply wants to learn more, Easterseals Crossroads is here.

Because creating a community with greater equity, inclusion and access doesn’t happen through one program, one organization or one person.

It happens when we work together.

By Brandon Scott | Easterseals Crossroads

Every July, people across the United States celebrate Disability Pride Month. While many have heard of it, fewer understand what it truly represents and why it matters.

Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the contributions, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made toward accessibility and inclusion while acknowledging the work that still remains.

The month of July was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities and helped create greater access to employment, transportation, public accommodations, education, and many other aspects of everyday life.

But Disability Pride Month is about more than legislation.

At its core, Disability Pride is about recognizing that disability is a natural part of the human experience. It is about embracing who you are and understanding that having a disability does not make someone less valuable, less capable, or less deserving of opportunity.

For many people with disabilities, the greatest challenges are not always the physical barriers they encounter. Often, the biggest obstacles are the assumptions others make about what they can or cannot do. Low expectations, misconceptions, and stereotypes can create barriers that are just as limiting as a flight of stairs without a ramp.

As someone who was born with a disability, I have experienced those perceptions firsthand. Throughout my life, I have encountered people who were surprised to learn that I drive, have a career, am married, raise children, travel, and live independently. Their surprise is not necessarily rooted in negativity; it often stems from a lack of exposure and understanding.

That is why Disability Pride Month is so important.

It creates opportunities for conversations that challenge misconceptions and broaden perspectives. It encourages people to see individuals with disabilities not through the lens of limitations, but through the lens of possibility.

Disability Pride does not mean pretending disabilities do not present challenges. Many people face significant obstacles related to health, accessibility, communication, transportation, and daily living. Pride is not about ignoring those realities. Rather, it is about recognizing that a person’s worth is not defined by those challenges.

Disability Pride is about embracing identity, celebrating resilience, and acknowledging the unique experiences that shape our lives.

It is also a reminder that accessibility benefits everyone. Features such as curb cuts, automatic doors, captions, accessible websites, and inclusive design make communities stronger and more welcoming for all people. When we create environments that include individuals with disabilities, everyone benefits.

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, I encourage you to take time to learn from the stories of people with disabilities. Listen to their experiences. Challenge your assumptions. Advocate for accessibility and inclusion in your workplace, school, organization, and community.

Most importantly, remember that disability does not diminish a person’s potential. Every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals, contribute their talents, and be valued for who they are.

Disability Pride Month is not just a celebration for people with disabilities. It is a reminder to all of us that our communities are strongest when everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate, and thrive.

This July, let’s celebrate progress, embrace inclusion, and continue building a world where possibilities are greater than perceptions.

By Kathleen Gaither, BSN, RN

Receiving a developmental delay or disability diagnosis for your child feels like a gut punch. Suddenly, questions flood your mind. What caused this? What does the future look like? Where do we even begin?

You may feel guilt, fear, and overwhelming uncertainty. To make matters harder, your pediatrician may not always have the answers, especially if most of their patients are neurotypical children.

This was my reality thirteen years ago with my son.

In 2013, autism rates were reported as 1 in 50. Today, they are closer to 1 in 31, according to the CDC.

First Steps

Our journey began when our son was about eight months old. He was not meeting developmental milestones, and due to ongoing concerns, our pediatrician referred us to First Steps Indiana.

First Steps provides early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. Therapies take place in the home, allowing children to learn in their natural environment. Services continue until age three.

Our son required speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support due to global developmental delays.

Aging Out of First Steps

When our son turned three, services ended.

Now what?

He still needed support, but we were suddenly on our own. I returned to our pediatrician for guidance, but the only resource provided was a flyer for a “special needs” information fair.

That phrase hit me hard.

Then came the words I wasn’t prepared to hear:

“Your son is demonstrating symptoms of autism.”

That was my breaking point.

As a nurse, my mind immediately jumped to outdated and inaccurate stereotypes. I thought of scenes from Rain Man and memories of a classmate who struggled significantly in school. I began to wonder: Is this our future?

Meanwhile, my son’s symptoms became more pronounced. He stopped making eye contact. His tantrums lasted for hours. He couldn’t communicate his needs. Sensory challenges grew, and his diet became extremely limited.

I knew early intervention was critical. But what did that actually look like now?

There was only one option left: attend the information fair.

ABA Therapy

At the fair, I felt overwhelmed by the information. But one approach stood out: ABA Therapy.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), as defined by Autism Speaks, focuses on improving positive behaviors and reducing harmful ones through reinforcement.

A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) conducts an assessment and develops a personalized treatment plan.

We chose in-home ABA so I could be involved and carry strategies into daily life.

However, when our son reached kindergarten, we encountered another barrier. Our school district did not allow outside therapists in the classroom. This forced us into half-day school and half-day therapy.

Eventually, we had to stop ABA altogether, despite medical necessity. It was a frustrating and disheartening experience.

Family Supports Waiver

At the same fair, I learned about Indiana’s Family Supports Waiver.

This program provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities living at home. To qualify, families must apply for Medicaid, but parental income is not considered for children.

However, a qualifying diagnosis is required.

The Waiting Game

Wait times for services can range from eight months to three years.

When selected, families receive an invitation letter and have 30 days to respond. From there, you meet with specialists, choose a case management company, and begin building a care plan.

This process is time-consuming and often overwhelming. Finding the right providers may take multiple attempts.

But it is worth it.

Our Diagnosis

Getting a diagnosis is not easy. Waitlists can stretch for months or even years.

Our son was evaluated by a psychologist and diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a classification used at the time for children who did not meet full autism criteria.

Today, under the DSM-5, conditions like PDD-NOS and Asperger’s have been consolidated under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Getting an Evaluation

If autism is suspected, pediatricians may refer families to specialists such as:

• Developmental-behavioral pediatricians
• Child psychologists or psychiatrists
• Pediatric neurologists

Today, finding providers is much easier through online searches. That was not the case when we began our journey.

A Better Path Forward

Looking back, there is one thing I wish I had known sooner:

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Organizations like Easterseals provide a centralized approach, offering evaluations, diagnoses, and therapies all in one place. In fact, Easterseals is a First Steps provider!

Having that kind of support early on could have reduced so much stress and uncertainty for our family.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Links Towards Help

Family Supports Waiver

First Steps 

Autism and Behavior Services

The NCAA Men’s Final Four brings thousands of fans downtown with events across multiple venues. With thoughtful planning, you can make the most of the experience, especially if you or someone in your group has mobility or sensory needs.

Key Fan Events and Locations

• Fan Fest at the Indiana Convention Center
• Tip-Off Tailgate on Georgia Street
• March Madness Music Festival at American Legion Mall
• Reese’s Final Four Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium
• Final Four Dribble along a downtown route to Fan Fest

Mobility Accessibility Tips

Indiana Convention Center (Fan Fest)

The Indiana Convention Center is a large, fully accessible venue with wide pathways, elevators, and accessible entrances.

Accessibility information: https://www.icclos.com/indiana-convention-center-venue/ada-accessibility/

Tips:

• Visit during early hours for easier navigation
• Expect long lines for interactive exhibits
• Use elevators and accessible routes throughout the building

Lucas Oil Stadium (Final Four Friday)

Lucas Oil Stadium offers accessible seating, elevators, and guest services support throughout the venue.

Accessibility information: https://www.lucasoilstadium.com/plan-your-visit/a-z-guide/

Tips:

• Arrive early to avoid heavy congestion
• Utilize the guest services staff if assistance is needed

American Legion Mall (Music Festival)

This outdoor venue is generally flat but can become crowded and loud during performances.

Tips:

• Be aware of grassy or uneven areas
• Use accessible drop-off points when possible
• Stay toward the outer edges for easier movement

Georgia Street (Tip-Off Tailgate and Downtown Events)

Georgia Street serves as a central hub for fan activities, including food, music, and entertainment.

Tips:

• Expect dense crowds, especially in the evenings
• Identify entry and exit points ahead of time
• Consider attending earlier in the day for more space

Sensory Accessibility Tips

High-Stimulation Environments

Many events include loud music, bright lights, large video displays, and significant crowd density.

The most intense environments are typically:

• Music Festival
• Fan Fest
• Tip-Off Tailgate

Strategies for Sensory Comfort

Plan your timing:

• Attend during less crowded hours, such as early in the day or on weekdays

Identify quieter spaces:

• Convention center lobby areas
• Outdoor perimeter spaces
• Nearby hotels or public buildings

Bring sensory supports:

• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
• Sunglasses or hats
• Comfort items or fidgets

Pace your visit:

• Focus on one or two key activities per visit
• Build in breaks between events

Tips for Families

• Establish a meeting point in case of separation
• Review maps and event layouts in advance
• Prepare children for crowds, noise levels, and waiting
• Take breaks as needed

The Men’s Final Four is an exciting experience for fans of all abilities. With thoughtful planning and awareness of available resources, you can navigate the events comfortably and confidently.

Take your time, know your options, and enjoy the experience.

Each March, Indiana recognizes Disability Awareness Month. At Easterseals Crossroads, this month holds special meaning. It is a time to celebrate the strengths, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities across our state. It is also a time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to create communities where everyone belongs.

Disability Awareness Month is about more than recognition. It is about action. It is about making sure our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and public spaces are accessible and inclusive. It is about understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that every person deserves opportunity, dignity, and respect.

Celebrating Ability and Impact

People with disabilities are leaders, employees, parents, students, entrepreneurs, artists, and advocates. They enrich our communities in countless ways. When barriers are removed and opportunities are provided, individuals with disabilities thrive.

At Easterseals Crossroads, we see this every day. We see children gaining confidence at camp. We see young adults preparing for meaningful employment. We see families finding connection and support. We see individuals discovering independence through assistive technology. These stories are not exceptions. They are examples of what is possible when inclusion is intentional.

Why Awareness Matters

Awareness leads to understanding. Understanding leads to change.

Even today, many individuals with disabilities face barriers to employment, transportation, housing, health care, and recreation. Disability Awareness Month encourages all of us to examine how we can remove those barriers. It challenges employers to create inclusive workplaces. It calls on community leaders to prioritize accessibility. It invites neighbors to foster belonging.

True inclusion goes beyond compliance. It means designing spaces, programs, and opportunities so that everyone can participate fully. It means listening to the voices of people with disabilities and ensuring they are part of decision-making at every level.

Our Commitment

At Easterseals Crossroads, our mission is to empower people with disabilities and their families to achieve their goals and live with greater independence. During Disability Awareness Month and throughout the year, we remain committed to:

• Expanding access to services and supports

• Promoting inclusive employment opportunities

• Providing assistive technology and training

• Creating adaptive recreation experiences

• Supporting families through every stage of life

We believe accessibility is just the beginning. Inclusion is the goal.

How You Can Get Involved

Disability Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to participate. You can:

• Educate yourself about disability inclusion

• Support inclusive businesses and organizations

• Advocate for accessibility in your community

• Volunteer your time

• Share stories that highlight ability and impact

Small actions create meaningful change. When we work together, we build a stronger, more inclusive Indiana.

Moving Forward Together

March reminds us that awareness is powerful, but it must be paired with action. At Easterseals Crossroads, we are proud to stand alongside individuals with disabilities, families, partners, and advocates who are working every day to create communities where everyone can thrive.

This month and every month, we celebrate ability. We champion inclusion. And we continue building a future where opportunity is open to all.

Video games are more than just entertainment. They are gateways to connection, creativity, and achievement. For many in the disability community, gaming provides a powerful way to explore the world, build friendships, and enjoy the same sense of excitement and challenge as anyone else. However, for a long time, games were not always designed with everyone in mind.

That is starting to change, and it matters now more than ever.

Gaming as a Level Playing Field

In everyday life, people with disabilities often encounter physical and social barriers. Inaccessible buildings, limited transportation, or a lack of inclusive recreational options can create isolation. In contrast, virtual worlds offer a place where those barriers can disappear. With the right tools and thoughtful design, a gamer using adaptive equipment can play alongside others from around the world.

Gaming can create a level playing field, but only if developers and communities intentionally include everyone.

Representation and Belonging

Inclusive gaming is not only about accessible technology. It is also about representation. Seeing characters with disabilities in games or having the ability to create avatars that reflect personal experiences helps foster a sense of belonging. When games reflect the real diversity of their players, they send a clear message: You are welcome here.

True representation also means including people with disabilities in every stage of game development. From design and testing to storytelling and voice acting, their perspectives make the games richer, more authentic, and more relatable.

Social Connection Through Play

Online games can provide an important source of social interaction for gamers with disabilities. Through multiplayer experiences, individuals can form friendships, collaborate on missions, and enjoy a shared sense of purpose and accomplishment. For those who may face mobility limitations or experience social isolation, these virtual connections are incredibly valuable.

Gaming can promote mental well-being, confidence, and a strong sense of community, as long as everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Innovation That Helps Everyone

Accessibility features like customizable controls, text-to-speech, and colorblind modes are often developed with disability inclusion in mind. However, they benefit a much broader audience. Just as curb ramps designed for wheelchairs help people with strollers or bikes, inclusive design in gaming improves the experience for all players.

Designing for accessibility leads to innovation that makes games better for everyone.

The Path Forward

There is still more work to be done. Many games are not yet accessible, and adaptive gaming equipment can be expensive or difficult to obtain. Fortunately, organizations, advocates, developers, and gamers themselves are making progress and moving the industry forward.

At Easterseals Crossroads, we believe in the power of play for everyone. Through our Assistive Technology program and support for accessible gaming, we are helping individuals with disabilities discover new possibilities and experiences in the digital world.

Amy Corbin is the Executive Director of the Indiana ABLE Authority, where she leads efforts to expand access to ABLE accounts and promote financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities and their families across Indiana.

For individuals with disabilities and their families, financial planning can feel like walking a tightrope. Saving money is essential for stability and independence, but saving too much can put critical public benefits at risk. That’s where an INvestABLE Indiana account comes in.

INvestABLE Indiana, our state’s ABLE savings program, is a savings and investment program designed specifically for people with disabilities. Also know as an “ABLE account”, this program allows eligible individuals to save money without losing important benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. So, all the money saved in an ABLE account does not count against any resource limits you or your loved one might have.

To be eligible for an ABLE account, the person must have a disability that began before their 46th birthday (this recently increased from 26 years old) and be receiving either Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or be able to self-certify they have a significant disability. The disability must be a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death. An individual may also be eligible if their disability began before age 46 and their disability is on Social Security’s List of Compassionate Allowances.

The account is owned by the individual with the disability, even if a parent, guardian, or other authorized person helps manage it.

Key features of ABLE accounts include:

• Tax advantages: Contributions are made with post-tax dollars, but earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. [i]
• State tax incentive: Indiana taxpayers may receive a state tax credit of 20% of their total contributions, worth up to $500.[ii]
• High savings flexibility: Those who are receiving SSI benefits can save up to $100,000 in their ABLE account. If they do not receive SSI, their total savings limit is even higher.[iii]
• Broad usage: Funds can be used for a wide range of disability-related expenses, including housing, education, healthcare, transportation, assistive technology, employment supports, and more. Even basic living expenses can be qualified!
• Individual control: In many cases, the person with a disability can manage their own account, promoting independence and autonomy.

INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, as well a checking account option with a debit card. So, the money can easily be accessed at any time to help meet your, or your loved one’s daily expenses. Up to $20,000 can be contributed per year and is the total amount from all contributors. Employed INvestABLE account owners may be able to contribute additional amounts beyond that annual limit.

Recent legislative enhancements to ABLE raised the age of onset for ABLE eligibility from 26 to 46 years old. This dramatically expanded access to ABLE accounts. Now, millions more Americans can benefit from these accounts, including people who acquire disabilities later in life due to accidents, military service, chronic illness, or later-onset disabilities.

If you or someone you care for has a disability, whether starting in childhood or adulthood, an ABLE account may be an important part of a comprehensive financial plan. INvestABLE accounts can provide financial independence and peace of mind and can be a powerful step toward a more secure and empowered future. To learn more about INvestABLE Indiana or enroll please visit in.savewithable.com.

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[i] Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as applicable state and local income taxes

[ii] Indiana taxpayers are eligible for a state income tax credit of 20% of contributions to an INvestABLE Indiana account, up to $500 credit per year. This credit may be subject to recapture from the account owner (not the contributor) in certain circumstances, such as distributions made from an account that is terminated within 12 months, rollovers to another state’s ABLE plan, or rollovers to a 529 plan other than a 529 plan established by the State of Indiana.

[iii] The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is excluded from the SSI resource limit