Our Programs
Enrichment/Educational
ILADD’s mission encompasses the adult with IDD as a whole person who is continuously growing, learning, and expanding his or her interests. Our Enrichment/Educational programming will be designed to enable individuals with IDD to acquire the skills to transition toward more independent living, explore vocational opportunities, pursue their cultural and educational interests, and enjoy fulfilling and meaningful lives fully integrated into their communities.
ILADD’s programming is designed to enable individuals with IDD to access transportation, enhance their social skills, integrate better with the community, and improve their independent living skills. In addition to ILADD-developed sessions, some sessions may be provided in partnership with other organizations.
ILADD already has been surveying self-advocates and families about their needs and interests and has been conducting focus groups and monthly gatherings. The goal is to develop a full calendar and matrix of enrichment programming and social opportunities.
Currently, we’re offering a Relationship Class and a Cooking Class. Each class is offered twice yearly and includes sessions with a variety of topics. Examples of these topics include: Mastering ADLs, Meal Preparation, Maintaining Your Home, Safety Skills within the Home and Community, and Cooperative Living Skills
The scope of enrichment/educational programming for adults with IDD may include:
Development and advancement of activities of daily living, functional skills, occupational skills, and social skills
Developing the ability to navigate the community including transportation, retail, entertainment, and administrative systems and environment.
Exploration of hobbies, cultural interests, and health and wellness
ILADD is also committed to providing families and friends of adults with IDD, supports providers, and others the information and resources they need to establish sustainable supports for their adult children, whether or not those adults reside in an ILADD neighborhood or utilize ILADD programming. These may include:
Informational Seminars. These are 90-minute Zoom Webinars or in-person gatherings designed to address gaps in information about funding, services, supports, and legal and financial matters that may impact adults with IDD. Watch this space or visit the ILADD, Inc. Facebook page or our News & Blog for updates and information about how to participate in the workshops.
Social
Another major aspect of ILADD is to provide interesting and fun social opportunities for individuals with IDD that may also enhance their social interaction skills, physical fitness, or academic skills.
ILADD has and will continue to develop, organize and manage social activities and outings with an emphasis on small group outings. These may include dining, entertainment, sports, social, and recreational activities as well as holiday parties, sports watch parties, birthday parties, etc.
ILADD currently offers the following regularly scheduled activities:
Book Club - Every Wednesday approximately a dozen adults with IDD gather at Panera Bread (6050 West 86th Street, Indianapolis; located in the Trader’s Point Shopping Center)and spend 8-1o weeks reading through a popular book chosen by the participants, discussing it, and socializing with each other. When the book is finished, the group partakes in a field trip related to the book. Visit the ILADD, Inc. Facebook page or our News & Blog for updates and photos.
Hiking Club. On the third Sunday of each month (weather permitting) up to 20 adults with IDD gather at a municipal, county, or state park for a hike lasting approximately 2 hours, led by an ILADD board member and an adviser, and supported by several volunteers. Each hike goes about 2 miles, up and down hills, and sometimes on uneven ground. Visit the ILADD, Inc. Facebook page or our News & Blog for updates and photos.
Game Night. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month participants enjoy a night of fun and socializing. They bring their favorite board game or card game to play, join others in playing their favorite game, or just watch and socialize. Where: Amore Pizzeria & Ristorante (41 Boone Village, Zionsville; located in the Boone Village Shopping Center in Zionsville). Visit the ILADD, Inc. Facebook page or our News & Blog for updates and photos.
ILADD is also committed to outreach that brings the broader community into our mission. ILADD’s social opportunities are a part of this outreach as we engage in activities and outings in the community and involve volunteers and other individuals without IDD. The planned Community Center at Crossbridge Point will also provide an opportunity to have members of the broader community know, engage and learn from individuals with IDD.
Our spacious 12,000 square foot Community Center will be a true community asset, used extensively by our residents for organized and ad hoc activities including sports, therapy, art, music and group gatherings, that may include the broader community. It also will be an asset to the broader community for free and rented use for sports, events, parties, and other gatherings which may or may not include our residents.
Spacious common living room area for social interaction, dining, and events
Meeting room(s) and administrative offices
Full kitchen including a teaching kitchen area
Fitness and wellness room
Outdoor patio
Indoor sports court for basketball (short court), pickleball, cornhole, and other indoor sports
ILADD may develop its own proprietary coursework, activities, and programs, license or otherwise utilize programming developed by other similar organizations, and/or collaborate with other similar organizations to participate in their programs.
ILADD conducts its enrichment/educational and social opportunities at locations in the community and in conjunction with similar organizations. Once Crossbridge Point has been constructed, the Community Center in the neighborhood setting will be used as one of the settings in which the programming is provided to its residents, adults with IDD, and their families, and individuals from the greater community.