Huddle Up With The GM! By Emry Himes

A cartoon of a smiling man dressed as a football coach with a headset and clipboard. The text "HUDDLE UP WITH THE GM!" is centered below him. Surrounding the coach are several encouraging phrases like "I am proud of you!" and "Well done!" A caption at the bottom explains that he is starting a podcast to help others feel good and recognize their "super powers."

Image Descriptions: The first image is a yellow poster featuring a cartoon illustration of a smiling man, referred to as “The GM,” dressed as a football coach with a headset, a “GM” logo on his jacket, and a clipboard showing a play diagram. Above him, various encouraging phrases like “WOW, YOU DID IT!”, “I AM PROUD OF YOU!”, and “I SEE YOU! I HEAR YOU!” are scattered like speech bubbles. The main text at the bottom reads “HUDDLE UP WITH THE GM!” followed by a caption: “THAT’S WHY I WANT TO START A PODCAST TO MAKE OTHERS FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES AND RECOGNIZE THEIR SUPER POWERS!!”

cartoon of a smiling man dressed as a football coach with a headset and clipboard. The text "HUDDLE UP WITH THE GM!" is centered below him. Surrounding the coach are several encouraging phrases describing how PAC Services helps him, including: "Understand my options", "Focus on what I CAN do", "Feel seen, heard and respected."

Image Description: The second image is a green poster featuring a cartoon of a smiling man dressed as a football coach with a headset and clipboard. The text “HUDDLE UP WITH THE GM!” is centered below him. Surrounding the coach are several encouraging phrases describing how PAC Services helps him, including: “Understand my options”, “Focus on what I CAN do”, “Feel seen, heard and respected.” A caption at the bottom explains that with a waiver, he is reaching his goals and starting a podcast to help others recognize their “SUPER POWERS!”

About the Artist

A young man in his twenties with short brown hair. he is wearing a blue casual shirt with a tan hooded drawstring sweater over it. He is leaning on a brick wall with a smile on his face.

Image Description: A young man in his twenties with short brown hair. he is wearing a blue casual shirt with a tan hooded drawstring sweater over it. He is leaning on a brick wall with a smile on his face.

Artist Bio

Emry Cole McHugh Himes is a community leader from Southport, Indiana and the Inspirational Coach for the Franklin College Football Team, where he is known as the heart of the Grizzlies program. He is a Roncalli High School graduate, a participant in Franklin College’s Inspire program, and a longtime volunteer with organizations such as Best Buddies, Hope Gallery, and Special Olympics. Emry is also a Special Olympics athlete and 2025 Backstroke State Gold Medalist who loves music, dancing, sports, and bringing people together. 

What Real Support Looks Like to Me By Jody Michele

In my twenties, I needed support that was practical, consistent, and rooted in dignity.

I needed connection—real connection—not isolation disguised as independence. I needed transportation that allowed me to participate in community, work, and relationships. I needed the homes of my family and friends to be accessible. Why? Because relationships are deepened within homes, not confined to public spaces like restaurants and department stores.

I needed society not to pressure me to prove my worth or to be the representative of all people with disabilities. When I was eight years old, a teacher told me I had to work twice as hard to be seen as just as good as other children without disabilities. She said this after I made a C on a test. She told me that people would only see my wheelchair and hear my speech impediment caused by cerebral palsy—and that they would dismiss me. She said I had to excel at everything, not only for myself, but for the benefit of all people with disabilities.

That was an enormous burden to place on a child.

As I entered young adulthood, I needed people to actively counter that narrative. No one ever did. I needed permission to be an individual human being—not a symbol, not a lesson, not an inspiration. Had that happened, I believe I might have experienced more joy in my younger years.

I needed to live without the constant fear of losing my disability services—without the anxiety that one paperwork error, policy shift, or political decision could unravel my stability. Support should not be so fragile that it forces a person to remain in survival mode.

I needed politicians and community leaders to put action behind their words. Not performative allyship. Not promises during Disability Awareness Month. But policies, funding, and systems that reflected a genuine commitment to disabled lives.

I needed to see people with disabilities in positions of power. I needed visible proof that disabled people were valued and respected in this society.

I needed people to understand that I did not need to serve as their emotional dumping ground in exchange for my physical needs being met.

I needed organizations and businesses to recognize that if I was good enough to be an ongoing volunteer, then I was good enough to be compensated.

These were the things I needed then, and they are still what I need now, in my fifties. They are what people with disabilities need in order to be truly supported and empowered.

About the Author

A woman with short purple hair and glasses sits smiling in a powered wheelchair on a wooden deck outdoors. She wears a light blue sweatshirt, gray pants, and white sneakers, with trees and greenery behind her on a sunny day.

Image Description: A woman with short purple hair and glasses sits smiling in a powered wheelchair on a wooden deck outdoors. She wears a light blue sweatshirt, gray pants, and white sneakers, with trees and greenery behind her on a sunny day.

Author Bio

Jody Michele is an independent disability consultant and a co-author of “Disabling Leadership”.  She has both seen and unseen disabilities. 

2026 Indiana General Assembly: Bills of Interest

Advocates are watching six bills which are still to be considered for the 2026 Indiana legislative session. They have the power to change the lives of people with disabilities.

 A bill ending a governmental advisory board made up of people with disabilities and their allies is on the agenda for this session. Excluding any minority group from leadership positions is a way to oppress them. We cannot afford to lose this foot hold.

If passed, children with Autism will be able to receive Applied Behavioral Analysis services in their school. As of now, federal law states that children have the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment. This bill can keep children who need these services in classes with their peer group. One drawback is that the school will not be financially responsible for the therapy.

A very necessary piece of legislation moves us in the correct direction of not executing individuals with cognitive disabilities. There is some discussion that this bill does not go far enough to safeguard individuals whose cognitive disability does not manifest early in the trial process.

Finally, there are 2 bills that deal with Medicaid.  One bill makes it more difficult to qualify for benefits by reducing the income limit. It does not mention waiver income limits. The other bill is regarding long-term care and the PathWays program. It requires the state to apply for new funds and sets guidelines for where care can take place. Basically, if it is cheaper to put someone in an institution, they have no choice. Care at these facilities is not preferable to care at home. Facilities are already overcrowded, understaffed and underfunded.

All these bills are listed below with their authors and co-authors. IDJ urges anyone to be an advocate or self-advocate. Information on these, and all current legislation, and phone number of legislatures can be found at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills. The closest thing to an email list is at https://indianacoalitionforpubliced.org/email-legislators/.

HB 1003 – Representative Bartels (with co-author Representative Miller) – Boards and commissions
This bill proposes to restructure administration of Indiana’s funds and oversight boards. Of particular concern is the plan to end the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Advisory Council at the end of 2026. The Council brings expertise, lived experiences, and advice to the DDRS across many areas including technology, health, policy and advocacy.

HB 1102 – Representative Greene (with co-authors Representatives Olthoff, Gross-Reaves, and Bauer) – Applied behavioral analysis therapy services
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic technique used with those with Autism who have high access needs. IDJ does not endorse any therapeutic technique. This bill will require public schools to allow a student to have ABA services in their school according to their educational plan. The school will have no financial responsibility and will have immunity from civil liability for good faith efforts to comply with these requirements. The board of education will assist schools.

HB 1432 – Representative Bascom (with co-authors Representatives Zimmerman and Greene) – Death sentence and intellectual disabilities.
No one with a cognitive disability should be put to death. This bill is a step in the right direction, but advocates would like to see the timeframe for diagnosing a intellectual disability extended, stating that it may not be seen before the beginning of the trial.

SB 275 – Representatives Mishler and Garten – FSSA fiscal matters
It lowers the Medicaid eligibility income limit. This means that if one’s income is over $994, they will be ineligible for full Medicaid coverage. Right now, that limit is $1,305. There is no change to waiver income limits in this bill.

HB 1277 – Barrett (with co-authors Representatives Goss-Reaves, Porter, and Slager) – Long term care
If passed, Indiana will apply for federal funds to create a new waiver to cover assisted living services and require that folks covered under an existing waiver apply for this new waiver. It also calls for care of individuals under a community and home based waivers to not exceed the cost of institutionalization. The bill also states that a person who has been in a nursing facility more than 100 days will no longer be covered and will receive Medicaid services under a fee for service program.

Using Data in Unconventional Ways: What ICADV Is Learning from Disabled Hoosiers Through Art

Expanding How We Understand Domestic and Sexual Violence
At ICADV, we are continually exploring new and meaningful ways to understand the experiences of survivors across Indiana. One area where traditional data collection consistently falls short is in capturing the realities of Disabled people and people with disabilities who experience domestic and sexual violence.

Many existing data sources do not collect disability status at all or rely solely on the six standard disability questions used in federal surveys. Even when disability is measured, reporting systems and data collection tools are frequently inaccessible. Physical, cognitive, and other barriers can prevent people with disabilities from safely reporting harm or participating in research. As a result, disabled survivors are often underrepresented—or entirely missing—from the data that informs policies, programs, and prevention strategies.

With more than one in four Hoosiers identifying as disabled, these data gaps have serious consequences. When disabled people are left out, our understanding of violence is incomplete, and our prevention efforts fail to reach those who may be at greatest risk.

Moving Beyond Counting Harm
Collecting, analyzing, and publishing data about violence against disabled people is essential. However, data must do more than count incidents after harm occurs. We must also understand what keeps people safe, what promotes healing, and what helps disabled people thrive within their communities.

This includes examining how we create protective, affirming, and accessible environments that support autonomy, dignity, and resilience. To do this effectively, we need data collection methods that are as inclusive, flexible, and creative as the communities we aim to serve.

Art as Data: Centering Disabled Voices
With support from the Noyes Foundation, the Hub exhibits expressive arts projects that invites disabled people to share their experiences, identities, barriers, and sources of strength through creative expression. This approach allowed participants to communicate on their own terms, using methods that felt safer and more accessible than traditional surveys or reporting tools.

The artwork produced through this project is not only beautiful, it is data. It is storytelling. It is lived experience. It offers insights that traditional research methods are rarely designed to capture. By treating art as valid and meaningful data, we are able to learn directly from disabled people in ways that honor their expertise in their own lives.

As we reviewed the artwork and accompanying reflections, clear themes emerged that deepen our understanding of both risk factors and protective factors related to domestic and sexual violence within disabled communities.

Protective Factors That Support Well‑Being
Many participants emphasized the importance of supportive relationships and environments. Words such as love, joy, calm, family, encouragement, acceptance, and stable housing appeared repeatedly throughout the artwork. These concepts highlight how affirming relationships, safe housing, and access to people who can help connect individuals to resources play a critical role in safety and healing.

Stable housing was consistently identified as foundational to well‑being. A safe place to live is not just a basic need, it is a key factor in reducing vulnerability to violence.
Identity and empowerment also emerged as strong protective themes. Participants reflected on disability identity, queer identity, visibility, and dignity as sources of strength. They shared that being able to define oneself and be recognized as a full, autonomous person is closely linked to self‑worth, confidence, and meaningful connection.

Creativity itself played a protective role. Engagement with special interests, passion projects, and artistic expression supported mental health, joy, and agency. Creative work offered participants a way to process experiences, express identity, and cultivate a sense of purpose.

Risk Factors That Increase Vulnerability
Alongside protective elements, participants also shared experiences associated with increased risk and harm. This included references to mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, sadness, and suicidal ideation. These themes underscore the need for mental health supports that are affordable, accessible, and affirming for disabled people.

Trauma, abuse, and oppression were recurring themes throughout the artwork. Participants named experiences of violence, discrimination, stereotyping, internalized ableism, and isolation. These harms are not individual failures; they are the result of systemic inequities and social exclusion.

Barriers to autonomy were also commonly described. Participants shared experiences of having decision‑making power taken away, being treated as a burden, or feeling constrained by systems that limit independence. These conditions can increase vulnerability to abuse and negatively impact mental health.

Social isolation appeared repeatedly as both a risk factor for violence and a consequence of ableism—particularly when disabled people are excluded from community spaces and relationships.

Participants also pointed to unmet needs, including exhaustion, emotional distress, and concerns about safety. These reflections signal gaps in support systems and highlight areas where intervention is urgently needed.

What This Means for Prevention and Public Health
Together, these insights point to several critical considerations for public health and violence prevention efforts. Participants’ reflections reinforce the importance of intersectionality, particularly for people who are disabled, queer, neurodivergent, or navigating multiple marginalized identities. Prevention strategies must recognize these overlapping experiences and address compounded forms of stigma.

The data also highlights the value of safe and nurturing environments, including stable housing, supportive relationships, and spaces that encourage creativity and independence. Supporting autonomy and decision‑making is essential for promoting safety and well‑being.

Finally, the prevalence of trauma and mental health concerns reinforces the need for accessible, trauma‑informed, and disability‑affirming services across systems.

Expanding What Counts as Data
This project demonstrates that disabled Hoosiers are fully capable of sharing their experiences. The challenge has never been communication—it has been whether our systems are prepared to listen.

When we expand our definition of data to include art, creativity, and expressive storytelling, we gain deeper and more accurate insights. We center people who have historically been excluded, strengthen our understanding of both risk and protection, and inform prevention strategies grounded in real lived experiences.

As you explore the art on the IDJ Resource Hub, we invite you to appreciate the talent on display, reflect on the messages the artwork conveys, and commit to being inclusive and creative when collecting valuable information from communities with distinct needs and powerful solutions.

ICADV will continue to use innovative and inclusive data methods to build safer, more ccessible, and more responsive systems for all survivors.

This content was written by Timike Jones at tjones@icadvinc.org.

To learn more about how we evaluate or do violence prevention, please email barizmendi@icadvinc.org.