Inspiring Abilities Expo: Empowering Every Ability, Together
Register today for the 2025 Fall Inspiring Abilities Expo!
This free event is a celebration of inclusion, support, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities and those who care for them. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional, the Inspiring Abilities Expo offers a unique opportunity to connect with organizations and service providers dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of children and adults with disabilities.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Speaker Sessions (See Details Below)
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Exhibit Hall Open to the Public
📍 401 W. Meridian School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217
🎟 FREE Admission!
What to Expect:
Explore a wide range of therapy and service providers
Meet representatives from nonprofits, advocacy groups, and recreation programs
Discover resources that support individuals across all ages and abilities
Network with other families and professionals who share your goals
Whether you're seeking information, looking for support, or wanting to build connections in the disability community, the Inspiring Abilities Expo is the place to be.
Parents and professionals who want to attend the expo, click here to register!
We look forward to welcoming you on September 20!
Speaker Session Schedule
9-10 am
Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy
This training is designed to help parents feel comfortable to advocate for their child in the special education process. Participants will learn the meaning of advocacy, six skills for effective advocacy and the importance of organization and effective communication.
Presenter: Lesa Paddack
Lesa lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. She and her husband, Bruce, have 4 grown children, 3 beautiful grandchildren and have been married 44 years. Their son was diagnosed at age 2 with special needs and this started her journey to support families.
Lesa works for IN*SOURCE, Indiana’s Resource Center for Families with Special Needs, and is the Regional Director and Central Team Leader. Lesa served as the IN*SOURCE Parent Liaison to the IDOE for 14 years.
Lesa has a bachelor's degree in human services, and she has completed a family discipline traineeship at Indiana University School of Medicine through Riley Child Development Center. She works with other departments at Riley Children’s Hospital to conduct trainings for staff on parent’s perspectives and Article 7 related issues.
Lesa serves on the DDRS Advisory Council along with many other local, state, and national boards to help both parents and professionals become more informed about resources, build collaborative relationships, and raise awareness about disability issues. She genuinely enjoys helping families and professionals build successful teams to assist children to reach their greatest potential.
Expanding Independence: The Power of CILs & INSILC
Learn about the Independent Living Network in Indiana—composed of 10 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC). Find out how Central Indiana's Center for Independent Living (accessABILITY) provides support, advocacy, and resources to people with disabilities to increase independence and engagement. Discover ways to get involved in statewide issues that impact people with disabilities.
Presenters: Mike Foddrill and Tammy Themel
Mike is the Executive Director of The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council (INSILC). Mike has been involved professionally in the disability community for 23 years. Before joining INSILC, Mike was the Executive Director of The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana. He led the organization back from fiscal insolvency and led a successful merger with Easter Seals Crossroads. Mike was also an Associate Director at Tangram. Mike was engaged in Tangram Business Resourcing, a venture that provides consulting services to companies on issues related to employing people with disabilities. Mike oversaw job coaching, Ticket to Work, and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Previously, Mike was a lead in the development and oversight of programs that provide residential services for people with disabilities. Prior to this, Mike worked as a Program Analyst for the IUPUI Center for Health Policy where he conducted research on disability and healthcare related topics. Mike has also been the Director of the Partners in Policymaking program, an advocacy training program for people with disabilities. Mike also worked for Goodwill Industries where he provided job coaching to clients, provided disability related training for businesses, and helped make the WorkOne Centers accessible to people with disabilities.
Mike also volunteers his time within the community. Mike was a member of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Indiana where he served as Treasurer and President. Previously, Mike served on the Indianapolis Mayor’s Advisory Council on Disability and the Governor’s Council on Disability. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University. In his free time Mike has practiced Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, for 30 years. He is an 8th Degree Black Belt Grand Master Instructor. Mike has been married for 13 years to his wife, Amber. They have a son, Benjamin, and a daughter, Olivia.
As the CEO of accessABILITY, Tammy carries out the strategic plans and vision established by the Board of Directors. She drives the team at accessABILITY towards “more is more” – more services, for more people with disabilities, leading to more independence and ultimately a better community for everyone. She is passionate about pressing for a change in the domestic violence and sexual assault that impacts persons with disabilities, which happens at a much higher rate than the population as a whole. Tammy has an MBA from Purdue. Tammy enjoys weaving, quilting, sewing, crocheting, as well as growing tomatoes, reading, and historical re-enacting. She has never met an alpaca or fainting goat that she didn’t like.
“I love working at accessABILITY because it lets me stretch to achieve the truth of ‘we must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history,’ said by Sonia Johnson. I get to see the change we are making in our communities on a daily basis – this is energizing and humbling.”
11 am -12 pm
FUSE in Action: Building Stronger Futures for People with Disabilities
Join us for an inside look at FUSE, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. Learn about the wide range of direct services and skill-building programs we provide to promote independence, growth, and community engagement. Discover how FUSE empowers people to reach their full potential and how you can be part of creating meaningful impact.
Presenter: Sara Cummins
Sara Cummins is the parent of two young children with rare disorders and first connected with FUSE in 2013 while seeking resources for her family. Inspired by the support she found, she began volunteering with the organization in 2014 and joined the staff the following year. Sara has since become a strong voice for families, serving on numerous local and state councils, including appointments to the First Steps Local Planning and Coordinating Council, the Interagency Coordinating Council, and was Indiana’s first Early Childhood Leadership Parent Cohort. A graduate of Leadership Shelby County and Indiana’s Partners in Policymaking Academy, an eight-month training program of the Indiana Governor's Council for People With Disabilities. Sara is passionate about building inclusive systems for children and families. Outside of her advocacy work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing music, and family game nights.