1. The Phallogocentrism of DH Text Mining and the Aporia of Sound (1:39:58)

Date:
2017-03-23
Main contributors:
Tanya Clement
Summary:
The practice of text mining in digital humanities is phallogocentric. Text mining, a particular kind of data mining in which predictive methods are deployed for pattern discovery in texts is primarily focused on pre-assumed meanings of The Word. In order to determine whether or not the machine has found patterns in text mining, we begin with a “ground truth” or labels that signify the presence of meaning. This work typically presupposes a binary logic between lack and excess (Derrida, Dissemination, 1981). There is meaning in the results or there is not. Sound, in contrast, is aporetic. To mine sound is to understand that ground truth is always indeterminate. Humanists have few opportunities to use advanced technologies for analyzing sound archives, however. This talk describes the HiPSTAS (High Performance Sound Technologies for Access and Scholarship) Project, which is developing a research environment for humanists that uses machine learning and visualization to automate processes for analyzing sound collections. HiPSTAS engages digital literacy head on in order to invite humanists into concerns about machine learning and sound studies. Hearing sound as digital audio means choosing filter banks, sampling rates, and compression scenarios that mimic the human ear. Unless humanists know more about digital audio analysis, how can we ask, whose ear we are modeling in analysis? What is audible, to whom? Without knowing about playback parameters, how can we ask, what signal is noise? What signal is meaningful? To whom? Clement concludes with a brief discussion about some observations on the efficacy of using machine learning to facilitate generating data about spoken-word sound collections in the humanities.

3. An Overview of BCSSE 2017 Updates and Data Uses (58:30)

Date:
2017-04-18
Main contributors:
James Cole
Summary:
This live Webinar will include information about the BCSSE 2017 survey, including new questions related to academic help seeking. Jim will also highlight changes to the BCSSE Advising Report, along with some current examples of use. Finally, Jim will discuss using results from BCSSE and the NSSE First-Year Module.

4. Ask Me Anything - NSSE Research Analysts (49:20)

Date:
2017-01-31
Main contributors:
Robert M. Gonyea, Amy Ribera, John Zilvinskis
Summary:
Bring your questions to this open “town hall style” webinar with two of NSSE’s most experienced research analysts. Bob Gonyea and Amy Ribera, with a combined 27 years of experience in the Center for Postsecondary Research, will answer your questions about NSSE data, reports, and resources. After briefly reviewing a broad selection of topics (sample analyses, the Report Builder, available syntax, advice about analysis “dos and don’ts” ), we will open it up for your questions. You will be able to submit questions prior to the webinar (via the online registration) or ask them live through the webinar chat. John Zilvinskis, doctoral student and project associate in the NSSE Institute will moderate. When you register be sure to include any specific questions or topics you’d like to see us cover!

5. Hearing the Students' Voice: Using NSSE Comments (44:25)

Date:
2017-11-30
Main contributors:
Brendan Dugan, Samantha Silberstein
Summary:
Student comments can provide rich insight and add texture to statistical trends highlighted in Institutional Reports, but can be overlooked as it is difficult to efficiently analyze textual data. This webinar will discuss NSSE student comments, changes made to the end-of-survey comment prompts, a variety of methods for analyzing textual data, and how NSSE researchers have made use of comments data.

6. Examining Engagement for Small Populations (39:51)

Date:
2017-03-09
Main contributors:
Allison BrckaLorenz, Sarah Hurtado
Summary:
Quantitative and survey research depends heavily on large sample sizes, but there are a variety of reasons why larger sample sizes may not be possible. In this webinar, FSSE and NSSE staff will discuss common challenges associated with assessing the experiences of small populations and explore possible solutions for those working toward improving the experiences of small populations. Participants will also learn about methods for communicating the validity and data quality from small sample sizes. The approaches presented in this webinar are applicable to NSSE, FSSE, and BCSSE data, and we encourage participants to submit any specific questions or topics you have when you register.

7. Student Engagement and Information Literacy (28:31)

Date:
2017-12-14
Main contributors:
Kevin Fosnacht
Summary:
This webinar provides an overview of the Information Literacy Topical Module including the history of its development and general results. The webinar also includes findings from various research studies that have been conducted using this Topical Module. Additionally, the webinar offers some tips on how you might make use of this data at your institution.

8. Choosing a Digital Method: Mapping (44:17)

Date:
2017-09-07
Main contributors:
Mia Partlow
Summary:
Digital mapping offers a variety of options that range in complexity from dropping a point on your smartphone’s mapping application to analyzing statistical differences in different geographies to warping geography for historical or artistic purposes. In addition to learning digital mapping methodology for humanist and social sciences research, and adapt mapping tools for artistic practice, we will discuss the critical application of these tools and how they can be used effectively in the classroom.​ This presentation was part of a series of workshops offered by the Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities called Choosing a Digital Method.

9. Choosing a Digital Method: Data Mining (35:47)

Date:
2017-08-31
Main contributors:
Kalani L. Craig
Summary:
Data mining encompasses a several different approaches to exploring large swaths of information, from the open largely unstructured text of the novel to the structured world of social-network entries to the automated comparison of photographs on a pixel-by-pixel basis. We'll use your research question or object as the entry point to make sense of the world of data mining and send you home with an activity you can adapt and use to introduce your students to data mining in your discipline.​ This presentation is part of a series of workshops offered by the Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities called Choosing a Digital Method.

10. Centering Gender: A Feminist Analysis of Makerspaces and Digital Humanities Centers (1:16:30)

Date:
2017-11-28
Main contributors:
Kimberly Martin
Summary:
The maker movement, a subculture affiliated with a do-it-yourself ethos and, more recently, a passion for digital technologies, has been growing over the last two decades and is making its way onto the university campus . Digital humanities (DH) centers in particular have taken up the maker ethos, incorporating digital technologies such as 3D printers and microcomputers into their spaces. While recent literature acknowledges both the lack of female presence in makerspaces and a desire for more diversity in the digital humanities, no study of making has yet employed a feminist approach to understanding why and how these issues arise in the first place. The Centering Gender Project aims to do just this, by employing Wajcman’s (2004) theory of TechnoFeminism in an examination of public and academic examples of making. Martin's talk will showcase preliminary findings from her first on-site visits to makerspaces, and challenge the audience to think through ways their learning spaces could diversify their population.

11. Multiamory Episode 147 - Relationship RADAR: Scrum 2.0 (53:24)

Date:
2017-11-28
Main contributors:
Multiamory Podcast, Emily, Dedeker, Jase
Summary:
After a whole year of experimenting with applying agile scrum to relationships, the Multiamory crew is proud to present our new and improved relationship check-in model: RADAR! Learn about the benefits of establishing a regular monthly check-in for your relationships, plus follow our easy step-by-step process for creating a safe, supportive, and productive way to foster intimate communication. For an easy way to start, download our PDF Template: Relationship RADAR. - Multiamory Podcast Website

21. Structural Equation Modeling in Open-Source Software (1:43:39)

Date:
2017-12-01
Main contributors:
Justin Wild
Summary:
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) offers flexible statistical models for the social science researcher. A variety of software packages are available for implementing SEM with researchers’ datasets and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This talk will briefly outline SEM in comparison with more familiar statistical models (such as linear regression) and review several R packages tailored for the SEM community. In addition, these packages are compared to perhaps the most well-known commercial package available, MPlus.

25. 2010 Indiana State Fair Master: Wayne and Helen Drake, Hog Breeders (Wayne County) (05:35)

Date:
2017-08-01
Main contributors:
Wayne and Helen Drake (Masters), Jon Kay (Director), Joe Martinez (Videographer), The Woodstove Flapjacks (Music) Thomas G. Richardson (Project Coordinator), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
Starting with only 30 sows, Wayne and Helen Drake built what would become a multi-generational family hog breeding business now involving thousands of pigs. Far from being an isolated practice, Wayne says he learned a lot from other hog farmers. “I learned a lot from the old people, that’s what I called them. You’d sit around the pens, and chew the fat with them, and you pick up a lot of ideas, and exchange ideas. It was really educational for me as a 4-H kid.” Both Wayne and Helen Drake began showing at the State Fair in the 1940s and have continued nearly every year since. Their children, now running the family business, Drake Purebred Farms, have also been showing hogs their whole lives, and have amassed numerous awards and accolades themselves. For the Drakes, hog breeding and showing has turned into a family tradition with no signs of slowing down.

26. 2017 Indiana State Fair Master: Bill Bailey (08:58)

Date:
2017-07-23
Main contributors:
Bill Bailey (Master), Jon Kay (Director), Geoff Davis and Bill Bailey (Music), The Hayloft Gang (Archival Photographs), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
A fixture at the Indiana State Fair for many years, Bill Bailey coordinates the entertainment in the Pioneer Village, inviting musicians, storytellers, and other entertainers from around the state to perform on the village’s two rustic stages. His relationship with the fair began in 1991, when he played percussion with a band in the village—but Bill is no ordinary percussionist. A self-proclaimed “idiophonist,” he makes his rhythmic music with spoons, washboards, and a variety of other everyday items. Bill played percussion throughout his school years, but sold his drums when he went to college, remaining “music-less” for a while. Then in 1976, a couple that played old-time music moved next door, and he was inspired to try his hand at the mandolin, guitar, and harmonica—yet percussion continued to call to him. He picked up playing the spoons, and eventually began tapping out his syncopated rhythms on a washboard and a variety of other resonate objects such as a wooden shoe, triangles, and horse shoes. Before long, Bill was playing multiple styles of music including old-time, blues, and jug band. In 1991, Bill played with a couple of bands that were performing in the fair’s Pioneer Village. He was hooked. Each year he returned and played with a variety of musicians. In 2003, Gerry Gray, the original music coordinator for the village, chose Bill as her replacement. He continued to book the old-time and dulcimer music that had been featured at the fair since the 1970s, but he also expanded the program to include a greater variety of traditional music and other forms of entertainment. One successful program that he helped develop was a tribute to the WLS National Barn Dance, which featured the music and theatrical routines of the popular radio show in the early 20th Century. For six years, large audiences came to see this reenactment show. Besides his work at the Indiana State Fair, Bill serves as a musical ambassador for the Columbus Washboard Company, the last manufacturer of hand-built washboards in North America. Bill paints and outfits their boards, transforming them into musical instruments. The company sells dozens of Bill’s musical boards, which they ship all over the world. Each year, Bill also travels to Ohio to perform at their Washboard Music Festival to promote this unique musical genre. Today, in addition to his own musical pursuits, Bill continues to coordinate the entertainment at the Pioneer Village. From old-time country, bluegrass, gospel, and blues, to storytelling and fiddling contests, the stages at the village help create a nostalgic atmosphere where fairgoers can escape the pressures of contemporary life. And while he makes sure the Pioneer Village stage shows run smoothly, visitors can still find Bill Bailey tapping out his upbeat rhythms and entertaining audiences.

27. 2009 IN STATE FAIR MASTER: Patti Light, Master Baton Twirler (Boone County) (04:46)

Date:
2017-08-01
Main contributors:
Patti Light (Master), Jon Kay (Director), Ben Schreiner (Videographer), Pete Schreiner (Music),
Summary:
As a small girl, Patti Light saw a baton twirler in a local parade, which ignited her lifelong passion for the baton. Having twirled for most of her life, she continues to be active in this sport and art through teaching students and judging at the State Fair.

28. 2013 Indiana State Fair Masters: Mary Schwartz, Master Needlepoint Artist (08:10)

Date:
2017-08-01
Main contributors:
Mary Schwartz (Master), Jon Kay (Director), William Winchester Claytor (Videographer and Editor), Nathan Vollmar (Sound Recording), Kelly Totten (Production Coordinator), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
2013 marks Mary Schwartz’s 50th consecutive year of exhibiting at the Indiana State Fair. Active in 4-H as a girl, Mary started embroidering as a compromise with her mother: she could continue to show sheep if she participated in an activity her mother believed to be more feminine, such as embroidery. While Mary works in several different styles of needlepoint, her favorite medium is crewel embroidery, a technique that uses wool thread to create depths of color and shading. “I like the feel of the wool,” Mary said. “I was a sheep producer at one time – my family was – and so therefore I’m going to continue to support the sheep people.” Earning numerous blue ribbons over the years, Mary’s skill and artistry in embroidery represents just one aspect of her contributions to the Indiana State Fair. She has worked for the past several years as coordinator of the Antiques division in the Home and Family Arts Building. She enthusiastically supports her department, treating her co-workers as family and welcoming and encouraging new participants and visitors each year. The distinction of being named a State Fair Master is a highlight, said Mary, as she joins the ranks of the many distinguished and talented people that have preceded her: “It is really an honor to be recognized for the state. You stop and think about how many exhibitors are on this campus at one time, to be singled out and saying, ‘we recognize you for your years of servitude to us’ – it’s a big thing.”

29. 2008 Indiana State Fair Master: Donna Jo Copeland, Spinner and Weaver (09:44)

Date:
2017-08-01
Main contributors:
Donna Jo Copeland (Master), Jon Kay(Director), Ben Schreiner (Videographer), Paul Schreiner & Rick Watson (Music), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
Donna Jo Copeland has exhibited textiles for forty years at the Indiana State Fair, winning numerous awards and gaining recognition for the distinct style of her creations. At the knee of her great grandmother, she learned the skills of knitting, tatting, flat pattern work, and sewing. After purchasing a loom, she taught herself to spin and weave. Taking inspiration from the materials she produces on her farm, she creates between 20 and 25 entries every year for the fair. With her daughter and granddaughter, she is now part of three generations who continue the traditions of needlework at the State Fair.

30. 2014 State Fair Master: Mary Alice Collins (09:23)

Date:
2017-06-02
Main contributors:
Mary Alice Collins (Master), Hannah Davis (Director), Dave Walter (Videographer), Lewis Rogers and Dave Walter (Editing and Sound Design), Kara Barnard (Music), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
Born March 7, 1939, Mary Alice Collins grew up in the kitchen. Learning how to cook and bake was just part of living on her family’s Hancock County farm. After finishing 10 years of 4-H and starting a career as a home economics teacher, she began participating at the Indiana State Fair in 1955. Over the decades, she won thousands of ribbons for her pies, cakes, breads and cookies, and has been featured on "The View" and in a cookbook published by "Midwest Living." After retiring, she spent her time passing on winning tips and tricks to family and community members hoping to follow in her footsteps. In 2015, the year following the production of this documentary, Mary Alice suffered suffering septic shock, and all of her fingers and both legs below the knee were amputated. Nevertheless after much therapy and determination, Mary continued to bake pies for the Indiana State Fair--and continued to take home ribbons. Mary Alice Collins passed away on September 9, 2019. Her story was featured in the introduction to the book "The Expressive Lives of Elders: Folklore, Art, and Aging" (Indiana University Press, 2018).

31. 2009 IN STATE FAIR MASTER: Tuttle Orchard - The Roney Family, Master Apple Growers Hancock County (10:29)

Date:
2017-08-01
Main contributors:
The Roney Family, Jon Kay (Director), Ben Schreiner (Videographer and Music), Traditional Arts Indiana
Summary:
In 2008, the Tuttle Orchard celebrated their 80th anniversary. Like their grandfather Roy Tuttle and their parents Ray and Virginia Roney, Mike and Tom Roney consider participation at the State Fair an important part of the family’s tradition of excellence in growing apples.

32. Kelsey Cowley - Being a Voice for Change (05:25)

Date:
2017-09-08
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
“We have an opinion and it matters,” states Kelsey Cowley. Unfortunately, Kelsey didn’t feel many people listened to her during her school years. She says, “They just didn’t understand people with disabilities to the whole extent.” As President of Self-Advocates of Indiana, Kelsey is encouraging people with disabilities to get involved in their communities. She says, “If we can’t get the communities…to work along with us, then a lot of changes that want to be made by advocates won’t happen.” Kelsey was interviewed in 2017.

33. You Didn't Sound Handicapped - Andy Imlay on Life and Relationships (06:23)

Date:
2017-01-19
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
Andy Imlay, a part-time stand-up comedian who performs across southern Indiana, shares stories about life, school, and relationships, and using the power of laughter to address common misconceptions about people with disabilities. Andy is from Richland City, Indiana, which is southeast of Evansville. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months, he was “mainstreamed” into regular classes from first through twelfth grades in the South Spencer School Corporation. Andy was interviewed in Indianapolis on December 5, 2016.

34. Ethan Crough - Stereotypical Roles in the Entertainment World (07:01)

Date:
2017-06-09
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"I'm one who has educational conversations about dwarfism with the world." In this excerpt from a 2017 interview, Columbus, Indiana resident Ethan Crough discusses the portrayal of people with dwarfism in popular media, depictions that have consequences for people in their daily lives. "Each piece of popular culture that highlights a person with dwarfism ends up with this repercussion," Ethan explains, whether people of short stature in public have been referred to, over the years, as Munchkins, Mini-Me's, or inflicted with the Oompa Loompa song. <br/>A former professional actor, Ethan has been active as a board member of Little People of America, Inc., a public speaker, and an advocate for people with dwarfism.

35. The Early Days of Back Home in Indiana Alliance (08:24)

Date:
2017-06-21
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"We'd learned that, it's no surprise, people with disabilities were the most underserved group in the mortgage and lending industry." In this video, Deborah McCarty explains the launching of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance in 1997. The original focus of the Alliance was on increasing low rates of home ownership among people with disabilities. Since then it has worked to advocate for a larger supply of integrated housing in the state that is both affordable and accessible. Deborah discusses the partnerships that have been instrumental in the Alliance's work and in its recognition by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as one of 100 best partnerships in the country. Deborah, who is Executive Director of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance, was interviewed in 2017.

36. Partners in Policymaking (04:40)

Date:
2017-04-24
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"We had legislators who came in and talked to people about how to communicate with a legislator, how to write to legislators." The Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities (GCPD) had its first Partners in Policymaking graduation class in 1991. Partners in Policymaking was a leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents. In this video, retired GCPD Executive Director Suellen Jackson-Boner, Paul Shankland, Betty Williams, and Judy Patterson talk about the role of the program and its impact on graduates. The program was created in Minnesota and adapted nationally.

37. Deinstitutionalization Project: Ahead of Its Time (08:29)

Date:
2017-06-12
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"You don't train people to get ready to go out in the community; you take a risk and let them go and see where their strengths are." From 1973 through 1976, the Deinstitututionalization Project gave residents at Muscatatuck State Developmental Center an opportunity to live in a community setting in Bloomington, Indiana and explore social and work activities. Vicki Pappas and Patrick Sandy were Indiana University students who were involved in the project and share some of their experiences in this video.

38. Melody Cooper - "I Want a Career" (05:02)

Date:
2017-03-16
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"I couldn't see myself making a career standing bagging somebody's groceries," Melody Cooper explains. Starting her employment at Goodwill Industries and then at a Meijer store, Melody was hired by The Arc of Indiana. She attributes her career growth directly to Partners in Policymaking training that led to her becoming active in Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI). After SAI's Betty Williams encouraged her, Melody had started attending meetings in 2000. "So yes, I have come a long way." She was interviewed in Indianapolis in 2013.

39. Changes in Mental Health Services (06:18)

Date:
2017-05-10
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
Kathy Christoff and Bill Gilkey talk about the changes they have seen in Indiana mental health services since the 1960s. They discuss the development of mental health centers, improvements in medications, and the success of employment programs. Kathy, an administrator with the community-based behavioral health care provider Centerstone, was interviewed in 2014. Bill, a retired psychologist, was interviewed in 2013.

40. Champions on Both Sides of the Aisle (06:07)

Date:
2017-07-29
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"I don't know about you, Congressman, but it's important for me to know how to put my pants on every morning to keep my job here," was how John Dickerson paraphrased Congressman John Brademas in a memorable moment. The Congressman from South Bend, Indiana was one of the prime sponsors of historic legislation mandating special education. This video focuses on the role The Arc has played in educating legislative officials about disability issues, a compilation of interview excerpts from John Dickerson and Kim Dodson. John was Executive Director of The Arc of Indiana when he was interviewed in 2013. Kim Dodson had succeeded him in that position when she was interviewed in 2017.

41. Paul Shankland Interview (1:06:00)

Date:
2017-09-28
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
In 1964, Paul decided to interview at the Fort Wayne State School as a recreation aide. They had football and baseball games, dances, and a summer camp. Although these activities were fun, the experience was different in retrospect. The daily living of getting up, bathing, eating, and going to bed was very regimented. Life was miserable for the residents. Paul saw a lot of mistreatment of residents during his eight years at (the renamed) Fort Wayne State Hospital and Training Center. After leaving the hospital, Paul worked at the Division on Mental Retardation and Department of Mental Health. Part of his job was to bring new ideas to the disability field. He helped introduce group homes to Indiana in the 1970s. In developing regulations for group home operations, Paul and colleagues were concerned the institutional model would be adopted by the group homes. Paul states, “A lot of that proved true – and it was again people with good intentions, or at least they thought they had good intentions.” Paul discusses initiatives funded by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. He believes the most important project the Council ever funded was Partners in Policymaking. The program brings together people with disabilities and family members for eight weekends over the course of a year to develop leadership skills. He explains how the Council evolved when Suellen Jackson-Boner became the administrator. When asked to identify the biggest changes in the disability field over his 30 plus years, Paul stated the closing of the institutions. In addition, Paul shares his observations on community attitude changes. Paul retired from the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities around 2009. He was interviewed in 2013.

42. Randy Krieble Interview (2:05:00)

Date:
2017-09-18
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
"People coming into the business today, I can't imagine them seeing the advancement and the progress that we saw." Randy Krieble talks about witnessing the evolution of institutional custody and control of people with disablities into community-oriented living arrangements offering choice and opportunity. Randy worked for the State of Indiana in positions related to disability starting in 1970. Forty-one years later he retired as assistant director of Indiana's Family and Social Service Administration, Division of Disability. In this 2012 interview, Randy discusses his experience working with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities inside several state institutions, and how as a state official he returned to one of them to effect its closure. From 1977 to 1980, Randy worked at Muscatatuck State Hospital and Training Center, starting in a behavior modification unit. He describes the dehumanizing conditions he found there, some of which eventually led to the institution shutting its doors in 2005. Randy describes the complexity of the transition process, during which time he lived at the Center during the week. There were strong community and family reactions to the shut down, and extensive efforts to find appropriate community placements for its residents. Randy also discusses the evolution of services for people with disabilities in Indiana and the leaders and advocates who contributed to those changes.

43. Donna Roberts Interview (1:02:00)

Date:
2017-11-07
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
“Forty-seven years ago I gave birth to a child who was born with multiple disabilities. This was back in New Hampshire. It was before there were any laws about education or anything. And I found problems getting services for her. They wouldn't let her in school, but they would send the truant officer to my home once a month to find out why she wasn't in school,” recalls Donna Roberts in a 2013 interview. Donna lived in New Hampshire at the time of her daughter’s birth and eventually started a school for children with disabilities in New Hampshire. After Donna moved to Indiana with her family, she became the Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana (UCP of Greater Indiana). In her interview, Donna discusses the beginning of the organization, services provided by UCP of Greater Indiana and the changes she has seen over the years. "I joke with everybody that I take a day, I sit at home with a two-liter bottle of Diet Pepsi and a huge box of tissues and I read all the essays,” recounts Donna about the Attitude Essay Contest. The contest encourages elementary and middle school students to write about their own attitudes or the attitudes of others. Donna says, “I firmly believe -- and the essays prove -- kids want to focus on what is the same, what is similar, what do they have in common with somebody, not what is something that's going to put up a barrier to them.” Looking toward the future, Donna has advice for young professionals, “they’re going to have to build that road to where we need to go. But I think it's important that they listen to the self-advocates. I think it's important that they look -- it sounds so cliché -- but look outside the box.”

44. Cori Mitchell Interview (1:07:00)

Date:
2017-11-02
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
“I get the benefits of free movies. So it's a good all-around job,” explains Cori of her job at the movie theater. Cori works part-time taking tickets. When Cori was interviewed in 2013, she had been working at the movie theater for the past 13 years. In 1988 while living in Colorado, Cori was in a car accident and sustained a head injury. Where Cori lived, services were limited. Her parents decided to move to Bloomington, Indiana to be closer to Cori’s sister and there would be more services available to Cori. Cori discusses how her life changed after her accident. She says, “It's really hard because brain injury, as you well know, has memory as the main problem.” Cori describes the accommodations her employer has made for her including writing down reminders on the movie schedule at her station. At home, Cori has her memory book to help organize her days. In addition to her love of movies, Cori enjoys exercising. “I have to keep my lungs and diaphragm exercised because it really, really affects my speech,” explains Cori. Some days she combines movies with exercising by putting on movie while she rides her NordicTrack at home. “It just revitalizes me and I feel good the rest of day,” states Cori. In her spare time, Cori likes to spend time with her family and painting. She has also been active with various advocacy groups.

45. Don Melloy Interview (24:51)

Date:
2017-05-15
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
“I found in going around the state and meeting with organizations, they didn't want to talk to one another," states Don Melloy of his experience in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s in organizing Arc chapters in Indiana. The original focus of The Arc was to provide programs for children with disabilities excluded from public school. Don found parent groups didn’t always include all children with disabilities. “But they in themselves had barriers in their minds that it wasn't all handicapped children. There was some distinction between degrees of handicap. And those were artificial barriers that kept rising over the many years of development,” explains Don. In addition to talking about The Arc's early focus on education, Don discusses Arc's movement away from sheltered workshops to community employment. Don himself was reluctant when it was suggested his daughter Cindy could have a community job. However, after seeing Cindy thrive in her job, Don said it was the best thing he and his wife ever did in agreeing to let Cindy find a community job. Don discusses hiring John Dickerson as The Arc's executive director. “He had the personality that would challenge the old school all the time.” That is something Don admired about John, even if he didn’t always agree with him. Don says, “You have to have people coming in to any organization that are willing to take a look at it from a different point of view." Don was interviewed in 2017.

46. Al Tolbert - Changes Along the Way (04:01)

Date:
2017-06-15
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
“I've seen some things change, a lot of things change for the better,” says Al Tolbert of the disabilities rights movement. In 1971, Al was in a training accident in Germany that left him paralyzed. After his accident, Al got involved in the Independent Living movement. He says the early days were very crude. “There were laws that people were trying to follow, but I don't think they had a central theme or a central place to go to ask questions or they didn't know exactly if they were doing things right.” When the ADA passed, people finally had guidelines and a place to call for answers. Many people didn’t see a need for the law. Al says, “I remember the chamber of commerce was not in favor of it.” People feared the ADA would put people out of work and hurt small businesses. Instead, Al believes the ADA has been an asset to employers and increased their productivity. Al explains the ADA is one of several laws that has improved the lives of people with disabilities. He discusses the Air Traffic Act and HAVA Act (Help America Vote Act). Despite the progress, Al knows there is more work to do. “There’s more to be done with the ADA in the implementation of it. So we’re not where we should be let’s put it that way. We have more growth to do.” Al was interviewed in 2009 at the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities Conference.

47. Betty Williams Interview (39:14)

Date:
2017-08-30
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
In 2016, Betty Williams received the Champions of Equal Opportunity Award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Betty received the award for her leadership in promoting voting rights, serving on committees addressing disability issues, organizing self-advocate groups, and training across the country. Betty got her start in the early 1990s when she joined her local advocacy group. In 2014, Betty was appointed to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. In addition to discussing her work on the national level, Betty shares stories about her work in Indiana. She was involved in changing the name of the MRDD commission to the DD commission. Betty reflects on her advocacy work with Darcus Nims. “She was like my friend, my mentor, my trainer,” explains Betty. Together, they helped incorporate Self-Advocacy of Indiana. They traveled the state training people on the importance of self-advocacy. Betty understands there is still work to be do, which is why she wants to be a part of self-advocacy until she retires. Betty says, “I am going to retire like normal people. You know, I am. I have that plan. But even then I might do something around self-advocacy, you know?” Betty Louise Williams was born in 1959 and died in 2018. She was interviewed in 2016.

48. Byron K. Smith Interview (1:47:00)

Date:
2017-08-27
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
When Byron Smith was in sixth grade, his mother got a call from his teacher. She said, "Byron is out there on the monkey bars and he's sitting on the top bar and he's not hanging on with his hands." “My mom said, ‘Let him alone. Yes, he may fall. Yes, he may get hurt but as long as he's not being irreverent or grandstanding or behaving poorly, if he's just out there with the guys, shooting marbles in the gravel or climbing the monkey bars, let him go.' That was pretty much the attitude that my family had… do as much of everything with everybody as I could.” Byron recounts how he had attended public school for kindergarten and half of first grade in Bloomington, Indiana, before losing his sight due to eye disease. In 1951 "Bikey" entered the Indiana State School for the Blind. He learned Braille while attending grades 1 through 5 at the residential school in Indianapolis. With concerted advocacy from his parents and many others, he was permitted to re-enter public school in Bloomington for the 6th grade, the first blind pupil to transfer from the state school. Byron attended University Junior High and High Schools and graduated Indiana University with a degree in radio and television. He shares some stories about how he got into the field of radio. He worked at the University for over 37 years as a reporter, editor, and radio producer. Byron was active as a member and chairperson of the City of Bloomington’s Council for Community Accessibility and was co-founder of the Handicapped Improvisational Theater, later known as Diversity Theatre. Byron also talks about the work he did with his wife Patsy in audio description. Byron K. Smith was interviewed in 2013. A life-long Bloomington, Indiana resident, he died in 2016.

49. Mary Lou Melloy Interview (53:46)

Date:
2017-08-15
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
On December 24, 1958, Mary Lou and Don Melloy were told their daughter Cindy should be placed in an institution. Mary Lou said, “My response was that they didn’t know what they were talking about…a very unhappy, aggressive mother left the room.” Instead, the Melloys took Cindy home and she started receiving services from Easterseals in Evansville, Indiana. The Melloys eventually moved to Indianapolis. When Cindy was five years old, Mary Lou visited every school corporation in Marion County trying to find the best school for Cindy. Mary Lou decided Washington Township would be the easiest school to "strong arm" into taking her daughter. Cindy attended school at Washington Township until she was 18. After leaving school, Cindy went to the Noble workshop. When a new executive director came in wanting to do away with the workshop, Mary Lou was ready to organize a parent protest. However, a day after attending a meeting with the director, she called the director to tell him to find Cindy a job. For the next 20 plus years, Cindy worked for a pharmaceutical company until her job was outsourced. “If something happened to Don or I, everybody that works with Cindy, my kids, my neighbors, everybody knows to go to this one spot and everything is in there,” explains Mary Lou of the death folder she maintains. Important documents such as birth certificate, power of attorney and trust fund papers are included in the folder. Mary Lou also discusses staffing issues, funding, and her parent advocacy work. She says, “I was very busy.” A few of her activities included planning Christmas parties, attending conferences, arranging speakers for meetings, and advising parents. Mary Lou was interviewed in 2017.

50. The 317 Plan: Charting a New Path (06:41)

Date:
2017-08-03
Main contributors:
Indiana Disability History Project
Summary:
In 1998, Indiana’s “317 Commission” of consumers, advocates, and state officials published "A Comprehensive Plan for the Design of Services for People with Developmental Disabilities", addressing the need for services to support people with developmental disabilities in their homes and at work. An expose of abuse at New Castle State Developmental Center had provided the initial impetus for action. The "317 Plan" marked a significant step in Indiana's history of providing services to people with disabilities. John Dickerson, David Mank, Randy Krieble, and Bettye Dunham talk about the impact the Plan had on funding and waiting lists for community based services, and on shaping those services.