About
The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) Commission oversees the work of Indiana Disability Rights (IDR).
The Commission provides advice regarding IDR’s activities, goals, and priorities. The Commission is responsible for supporting IDR’s Mission to uphold, promote, and advance the rights of individuals with disabilities through empowerment and advocacy to achieve a more equitable society.
Members
The Commission’s membership must broadly represent or know of the needs of people with disabilities. Members include people with various disabilities, as well as the family members and friends of people with disabilities, guardians, advocates, and service providers.
Nine of the Commission’s thirteen members are nominated and elected by the Commission following application review and interviews. Four members are appointed by the Governor. One Representative and one Senator from Indiana’s General Assembly also serve on the Commission, although these legislators cannot vote on Commission business.
Current Commission Members
Name | County | Type of Appointee |
Sen. Vaneta Becker | Senate District 50 | Legislative |
Kim Dodson | Marion | Gubernatorial |
Shawn Fulton | Marion | Commission |
Daniela Heffelman | Hendricks | Commission |
Leonard Hoops | Marion | Gubernatorial |
Ronelle Johnson | Hamilton | Commission |
Ray Lay | Marion | Commission |
Amber O’Haver, Chair | Hendricks | Commission |
Jalyn Radziminski, Vice Chair | Allen | Commission |
Rep. Elizabeth Rowray | House District 35 | Legislative |
Shanese Simmons | Allen | Commission |
Heather Stephenson | Hamilton | Gubernatorial |
| Rachel Vilensky | Marion | MHAC Chair |
Get Involved
Attend a Meeting
The Commission meets quarterly on the dates listed below. Meetings are open to the public and media is welcome to attend.
Contact IDR to request accommodations by calling (800) 622-4845 or e-mailing info@IndianaDisabilityRights.org.
Meeting Information
Meeting Date | Location | Link to Agenda |
| Friday, November, 22, 2024; 1:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join public meeting Meeting ID: 160 311 8426 | View the November Executive Session Agenda View the November Public Meeting Agenda |
| Friday, August 23, 2024; 1:30 pm, EST | Virtual; join public meeting Meeting ID: 161 677 9700 Passcode: 932100 | View the August Executive Session Agenda View the August Public Meeting Agenda |
Join the Commission
If you are ready to take your advocacy to the next level, consider applying to join the Commission.
Membership is open to individuals who broadly represent or know about the needs of people with disabilities. Applications are especially welcomed from candidates with lived experience as a person with a disability, those with intersecting identities from marginalized communities, and those living in rural communities.
The Commission holds quarterly meetings, typically consisting of an hour-long executive session followed by a two-hour public meeting. Members discuss items such as IDR’s progress meeting its goals, issues important to the disability community, and candidates for membership.
People interested in becoming a Commission member should complete an application and send it to ExecutiveDirector@IndianaDisabilityRights.org. The application will be reviewed by current Commission members. You may be invited to interview with the Commission’s Membership Committee. Note that the application process may take several months, given that the Commission only meets four times per year. Request application accommodations by calling IDR at (800) 622-4845 or e-mailing info@IndianaDisabilityRights.org.