🚨 Speak Up Now: Make Your Voice Heard — Public Feedback Is Needed 🚨
Get Involved. Make Your Voice Count.
Serve. Advise. Lead.
Your experience and perspective can shape Indiana’s disability and Medicaid policies. From statewide commissions to local councils, there are open seats waiting for passionate voices like yours. Learn how you can join, advise, and make a difference.
Directory of Commissions & Councils
The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC) is a nonprofit led by people with disabilities that advocates for the rights, independence, and inclusion of Hoosiers with disabilities.
Working in partnership with Centers for Independent Living across Indiana, INSILC was created to support the Independent Living Philosophy—believing that people with disabilities bring valuable perspectives to society and deserve the same opportunities, choices, and freedoms as everyone else.
Are you ready to put your leadership skills and lived experience into action? The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC) seeks leaders with diverse disabilities and are from marginalized communities, believe in disability justice, and interested in learning in depth about opportunities to serve on the INSILC council.
For more information, please visit https://insilc.org/
View their calendar and join one of their public meetings!
The Indiana Commission on Rehabilitation Services is a federally mandated body whose members are appointed by the Governor. A majority are individuals with disabilities, and all bring knowledge, experience, and commitment to rehabilitation and disability issues.
The Commission serves as the voice of the disability community in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of Indiana’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR). Acting in an advisory and oversight role, the Commission reviews and provides input on VR programs, policies, and procedures. Find more information about joining here.
🔗 APPLICATION FOR COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION SERVICESÂ
Contact the Indiana Commission on Rehabilitation Services:
Email: VRCommission.VR@fssa.IN.gov
Telephone: 800-545-7763
Online: www.VRS.IN.gov
Focus: Advocacy, capacity building, and systems change for Hoosiers with developmental disabilities.
Mission: Implement the Developmental Disabilities Act in Indiana by developing and carrying out a State Plan that advances self-determination, independence, productivity, and full inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
What They Do:
Develop and oversee Indiana’s State Plan for developmental disabilities services.
Engage in advocacy, systems change, and community capacity building.
Provide policy guidance to state agencies, legislators, and community partners.
Membership Overview:
Appointed by the Governor for a 3-year term (max 2 consecutive terms).
Must fit one of the following roles:
 Person with a developmental disability
 Parent, immediate relative, or guardian of a person with a developmental disability
Members serve on at least one working committee.
How to Join:
Apply online: Citizen Member Application
Applicants are interviewed by the Council’s Leadership Committee; recommendations go to the Governor for appointment. Non-appointed applicants may serve as Community Resource Members.
🔗 Learn More: Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities
Meeting Schedule:Â Â
Held quarterly (second Tuesday of March, June, September, and December) from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (ET) in-person with a virtual option.
Contact:Â
Email: council@gcpd.in.govÂ
Phone: 317-232-7770
Focus: All disability issues in Indiana, across the lifespan.
Mission: The IIDC, designated as Indiana’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), works with communities to welcome, value, and support the meaningful participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education, and service.
Role: Serves as Indiana’s UCEDD and statewide hub for disability research, training, and community engagement.
What They Do:
Conduct research, training, and technical assistance on a wide range of disability topics.
Host and support multiple advisory bodies, including the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).
Work with a guiding council of people with disabilities, families, and state partners to shape priorities.Â
Resources:
📋 Council Member List
📋 Personnel List
🔗 Learn More: www.iidc.indiana.edu
Focus: Early intervention (First Steps) and developmental disabilities across Indiana.
Mission: Connect Indiana’s academic expertise with local communities through the ICC’s role in the UCEDD network.
Lead Network: University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) — 68 centers nationwide.
What They Do:
Advise on early intervention (First Steps) and related services.
Promote best practices and research in developmental disability services.
Provide a forum for families, providers, and state partners.
🔗 Learn More: Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Stay Informed: Sign up for DDRS Updates to receive public meeting notices for ICC meetings.
Get Involved: If you or someone you know is interested in joining a local council, contact First Steps at FirstStepsWeb@fssa.in.gov.Â
Focus: Autism-specific coordination in Indiana.
Mission: Improve collaboration on autism-related activities by sharing information, leveraging resources, and addressing gaps.
Lead Agency: HANDS in Autism® at IUPUI.
What They Do:
Coordinate agencies and programs focused on autism.
Increase public understanding of autism-related work in Indiana.
Guide the Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals with ASD.
🔗 Learn More: www.indiananetwork.org
The DDRS Advisory Council was established under Indiana Code Section 12-9-4 to advise and assist DDRS in its effort to develop and sustain a system of supports and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Council provides expertise, lived experiences, and advice on specific areas such as: technology; health; policy; law; marketing; public relations; provider services; and advocacy. The Council is individual and family-driven and helps carry out DDRS’ mission to support a wide variety of Hoosiers with disabilities to create a vision for their future that uses paid and natural supports to build on and enhance their personal strengths and assets.
General Membership OverviewÂ
Membership is established through Indiana Code Section 12-9-4-3. This particular position is appointed by the DDRS Director &serves a 2-year term. Â
Membership applications are only accepted during official open application periods announced by DDRS. If no application period is posted, you must wait until the next call for applications is issued.
Council Membership Contact:Â
Email BDS.Help@fssa.in.gov or call 317-234-1147
Current Council Members:Â
Meeting Schedule:Â Â
Held the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30am to 12:30pm, unless otherwise noted.Â
PowerPoint slides may be requested by emailing bds.help@fssa.in.gov or calling 800-545-7763.
A council for Hoosiers with current or recent Medicaid experience to share feedback directly with Indiana Medicaid. The BAC promotes open dialogue, transparency, and improved health outcomes, and includes member representation on the Indiana Medicaid Advisory Council.
Status: Applications are currently closed. If positions open, an announcement will be made via the Medicaid listserv.
Contact: Email BAC@fssa.in.gov for assistance or visit their website for more information.
 A quarterly public forum where Hoosiers can share input on Indiana Medicaid policies and proposals. Members include elected officials, providers, consumers, taxpayers, and citizens. Established under IC 12-15-33, the MAC works to ensure Medicaid is responsive to community concerns.
Learn more at the Medicaid Advisory Committee Website
Contact: AsktheMedicaidDirector@fssa.in.gov
View: MAC Member List
Contact Us for Help
Have Questions or Want Help with Applying to Join?
We’re here to help families and providers understand the process and take action.
📱 Call or Text: 260-209-4404
📧 Email: info@FamilySolutionsCares.com