Fishers City Councilwoman Cecilia Coble has been involved in Disability Awareness Month in the City of Fishers for many years.  In 2021, this event, like many others, is adjusting for more virtual interactions.

Old National Bank is the sponsor of the month’s activities.  According to a city new release, the month-long list of activities strives to bring awareness to what life is like for those with physical and intellectual disabilities through a series of special events and initiatives throughout the city.

“Building Our Inclusive Community” is this year’s theme.

“Since Fishers became a city, the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability has strived to build a more inclusive community every year by working with the disability stakeholders and our community partners,” said Cecilia Coble, cochair of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. “This March, our community will celebrate the achievements that
have been built in the last five years in the City of Fishers. This foundation will help us to continue to work together to build a place where individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities can live and thrive without limits.”

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness says he is proud of this annual celebration. “Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 over the past year, the Committee has continued to move this initiative forward—launching the Thrive Social Club to bring our residents
together during a difficult time and transitioning our March celebration to a virtual series so that our community can participate safely from home,” said the mayor.

Here are some of the events scheduled during March:

Disability Awareness Month Kickoff: Building Our Inclusive Community
March 1 | 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Kick off the month-long celebration with guest speaker and disability advocate, Ben Trockman, Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Specialist for Old National Bank and elected City of Evansville First Ward City Councilor. A video presentation will highlight the work of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability over the past six years to build an inclusive
community in Fishers. Recipients of the 2021 Inclusion & Accessibility Awards will also be recognized. This event is free, but registration is required. Visit fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness to register.

Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability Quarterly Meeting
March 2 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Hear more about the accomplishments of building a more inclusive community in Fishers. Help the Committee identify priorities and goals for the disability community in Fishers and beyond. This event is free, but registration is required. Visit fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness to register.

OneZone Luncheon: Expanding Your Applicant Pool: Exploring the Untapped Workforce
March 10 / 11:30 a.m.

Learn more about the benefits of employing individuals with physical and developmental disabilities from Kylee Hope, Director of the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. Check out a video presentation of successful employment opportunities from around Fishers and Hamilton County. Event is $10 per person and registration is
required. Visit fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness to register.

Building Our Inclusive Community Through Art
March 12 / 7 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate the artwork of local artists with disabilities and view the virtual art gallery exhibition hosted by Conner Prairie. This event is co-hosted by the Fishers Arts Council. Join the virtual broadcast on their Facebook page.

The Hamilton East Public Library will also be hosting a series of virtual workshops as part of the celebration. Topics include caregiving, disability inclusion, American Sign Language, and more.

To register for events, download the Ally Toolkit, and learn more about the work of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability, visit fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness. Follow along on social media at #FishersDisabilityAwareness.