The Arc of Indiana Blog

Welcome to The Arc of Indiana’s new web site and blog. We are glad you have found us! 

So, blogging and such. The Arc is excited to find new ways to connect with families, self-advocates and professionals through this new world of “social networking.”

A little over a year ago we took our first step into this new medium by creating The Arc of Indiana’s Facebook page. To do this, I needed to create my own page on Facebook - much to my teenage daughter’s chagrin. While I was skeptical at first, I have found Facebook to be a way not only to connect with old friends, but also a new way to connect with people I know through work. I have particularly enjoyed “Facebooking” with our Arc Network family advocates and self-advocates. Because they work for The Arc throughout the state, I do not have many opportunities to get to know them. Through Facebook I have enjoyed learning more about them and a little more about what goes on in their day to day lives - Renee’s tears of joy when her daughter said, “Mama, mama, mama” for the first time; Jennifer’s adventures in teaching and learning along with her daughter, Gracie; and Jill’s pride when her boys were honored by Junior Achievement - all dressed up and looking fine in their tuxes.

Through The Arc’s Facebook page, we are connecting with folks who have never attended an Arc event or are not members of The Arc. Fans of The Arc include family members, self-advocates, people who work for local Arcs and some who may just support our cause. We hope our Fans continue to grow.

With the launch of our new web site we have new ways to share information with families looking for help and answers, self-advocates who are striving to be more independent, and those who want to be more involved in shaping public policy that impacts people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Through the web site you can search for information, watch videos, sign-up for E-newsletters, become a member and support The Arc through a donation.

And, of course, our blog. We welcome you to subscribe to our blog, or come back and read more as we post new blogs from Executive Director, John Dickerson, blogs focused on public policy and self-advocates, and blogs from Arc staff and volunteers. Our blog allows you to post comments - please join in the dialogue.

It has been a wonderful learning experience to work with Fusework Studios in the creation of our web site, videos and new print materials. Now that the site is up, I will miss talking to Fusework Project Manager, Laurie - who has worked very hard on our site - multiple times a day. But, while our new site may be up and running, it will always be a work in progress. My goal is to continue to build information available on our site and continue to find new ways to connect with families, self-advocates, professionals and the general public. I welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions.

So, my first blog - what will my daughter think?