The WILL Center, INC.
(Wabash Independent Living & Learning Center)

Jared Price was born and raised in Terre Haute; IN. Jared was born 2 months premature with Cerebral Palsy and legally blind. Jared’s parents believed that Jared shouldn’t be treated differently due to his disability. They raised him just as they did his brother and sister. His parents raised him with the belief that he could accomplish anything he put his mind too. Jared feels he couldn’t ask for a better family and support system. They have been great role models and fierce advocates. Jared’s parents are very passionate people and made sure they learn all they could about their son’s various conditions. They began advocating for him to attend Riley Elementary with his brother Kevin. The School felt they were ill-equipped to handle someone with special needs. Plus, the School argued that he would need to take stairs to access their classrooms. Jared’s mom asserted that we have stairs in our home, and he navigates them without any problem. The school referred them to Covered Bridge Special Education District for evaluation. Jared’s parents enrolled him in Riley Elementary in 1991. He was the first student with disabilities to enroll in the School. Jared was a very friendly child and was quick to make many friends. He even got to hang out in the principal’s office and the two typed stories together. Today Riley Elementary has a thriving program for students with disabilities. Later in life, Jared attended and graduated from Terre Haute South Vigo High School in 2004. He graduated with an Academic Honors Diploma. He applied for college and was accepted to Vincennes University. Once there, he fell in love with History. He thought he might want to teach and then decided to transfer to Indiana State University. Jared graduated from Indiana State University in 2008 with a History degree.

Jared had worked for a few different employers after leaving college. He worked with Vocational Rehabilitation to learn how to use a long white cane for independent travel. Jared also worked with a job coach to enhance his job skills. Jared started volunteering at The Wabash Independent Living and Learning Center in July 2013. He obtained his first dog guide, Middleton, from Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan. Middleton made friends with everyone he met. Jared and Middleton transitioned to working at the Center full-time in March 2015 as the Youth Transition Coordinator. Jared has enjoyed helping several students and their families learn to advocate and plan for the future. Jared loves to pay it forward and use the skills he learned from his parents to empower others.2017 Jared graduate from the Indiana Partners in Policy Making Academy. The Academy is ran by The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, they hosts wide variety of programs that promote the education of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Partners in Policy Making Academy program aims to help people with disabilities, and their family members develop their advocacy skills and use their voices to influence policy to bring about change for the Disability Community. Jared also holds a certification as Benefits Liaison through Indiana University’s Indiana Institute of Disability and Community. A Benefits Liaison can help individuals with disabilities understand their benefits. Jared can also help them create a plan explaining how returning to work may affect their benefits.

Jared enjoys spending with his friends and family. He loves going on cruises and exploring new places. Jared bought his first home in July 2021. He lives with his partner Derek, retired Leader Dog Middleton, and Winston the Corgi.