Disability Resource Fair Connects Families with Services and Support for Loved Ones
Families seeking resources and support for their loved ones with disabilities had the opportunity to connect with a wide range of agencies and services at the inaugural Disability Resource Fair hosted by TradeWinds. The fair, held in Hobart, Indiana, aimed to provide a one-stop-shop for families in search of assistance.
The event featured 50 different agencies from various parts of Indiana, all offering services that cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities. These services included advocacy, home care, pediatric therapy, state agencies, and special education parental support. With such a diverse range of agencies in attendance, families had access to a comprehensive selection of resources and support networks.
Christi Serna, a mother from St. John, attended the fair to find resources for her son Rylee, who has muscular dystrophy. She expressed her desire to help Rylee live a more independent life. Serna visited the table for Vocational Rehabilitation, one of the agencies represented, in the hopes of finding ways to support Rylee’s independence.
Jessica Garber, the marketing director for Connections Case Management, highlighted the fair as an opportunity for families to engage in one-stop shopping for the services they need. By bringing together different agencies and organizations, the fair aimed to streamline the process of finding and accessing support for individuals with disabilities.
Among the agencies in attendance was IN#SOURCE, which provides assistance to families navigating the special education system. Rhonda Crouch, a special education liaison with IN#SOURCE, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting families and understanding the intricacies of the school systems across the state.
First Steps, Indiana’s early intervention program, also had a presence at the fair. Laura Guistolisi, a coordinator with First Steps, explained that the program offers home-based support to children from birth to three years old. Guistolisi encouraged parents to collaborate with pediatricians in identifying any developmental abnormalities in their children before their third birthday. First Steps provides evaluations at no cost, ensuring that children receive the support they need at an early stage.
The fair also catered to families with children who have multiple disabilities. Sara Marlow, a mother from Schererville, sought resources for her adopted daughter Nora, who has autism, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), seizures, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Marlow expressed her desire to help Nora live her best life and develop skills for independent living.
Advocacy was also a significant focus of the fair. Lexie Westerfield, who represented Self-Advocates of Indiana, highlighted the importance of involving individuals with disabilities in decision-making processes regarding their own lives. Westerfield, who is autistic and legally blind, stressed the need for person-centered decision-making and ensuring that individuals’ voices are heard.
The fair also featured support services for caregivers. Community Ventures in Living of Lafayette, represented by Melina Condie and Kelly Getchell, provides respite services to caregivers. They acknowledged the significant challenges caregivers face and the lack of support and resources available to them. By offering respite services, their organization aims to alleviate some of the burdens caregivers experience.
The event drew attention from parents who recently moved to the area and were seeking resources for their children. Kaitlyn Babjak, who recently relocated to Hobart, attended the fair to find resources for her son Jacob, who has sleep and sensory disorders, as well as communication and language issues. Babjak expressed her need for resources as a newcomer to the area.
Brittany Evans from Valparaiso also attended the fair in search of resources for her son Levi, who was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at a young age. Evans highlighted the transition to high school and job training as the next phase for Levi, and she hopes to find the necessary support to guide him through this period.
The Disability Resource Fair successfully connected families with a wide array of services and support networks. With agencies from different parts of Indiana coming together under one roof, families had the opportunity to access essential resources conveniently and efficiently. By providing a platform for families to connect with agencies and organizations, the fair aimed to empower individuals with disabilities to live more fulfilling and independent lives.
