The City of Fishers, in collaboration with the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability, is set to host its annual celebration of National Disability Awareness Month in March. This year’s month-long series of events, presented by Old National Bank, will spotlight the experiences of individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, fostering a more inclusive and understanding community.
Under the theme Connected Through Language, the celebration will emphasize the significance of language in shaping identity and building connections. A particular focus will be placed on the perspectives of residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing. A highlight of this year’s initiative is the launch of a county-wide closed captioning effort led by Hamilton County Tourism, with support from the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. This initiative aims to encourage businesses to implement closed captioning in public spaces, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community.
“Since establishing the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability in 2017, our group has been committed to working with the City of Fishers to ensure that those with disabilities have the necessary accommodations, support, and opportunities to thrive in our community,” said Cecilia Coble, co-chair of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability and a Fishers City Councilor. “Our committee looks forward to March as a time to elevate the stories, accomplishments, and challenges of the local disability community and encourage residents, businesses, and community leaders to rally behind this important cause.”
The annual celebration will also mark the return of the popular Ally campaign, an initiative designed to engage residents in advocacy for disability inclusion. Community members can pick up free Ally toolkits at the March Disability Awareness Month Kickoff event on March 3 at Fishers City Hall Theater. These kits, which include a t-shirt, yard sign, stickers, and other materials, aim to promote awareness and support for disability inclusion. Additionally, a virtual toolkit featuring a language guide, social media graphics, an Ally pledge, and other resources is available for download at this link.
“The Ally campaign is a great way to engage residents who don’t have a direct tie with the disability community in the celebration and build a support network to rally for inclusivity and accessibility,” said Kelly Hartman, committee co-chair and president and CEO of KQuad Consulting. “I love seeing residents with their t-shirts and yard signs, showcasing their allyship with pride.”
The 2025 event lineup will feature a variety of programs and activities hosted by community partners such as the Fishers Arts Council, OneZone, and Hamilton East Public Library. These collaborative efforts reinforce Fishers’ commitment to ensuring an inclusive environment where all residents can thrive.
Here is a listing of events:
Monday, March 3 / 8:30-10 a.m.
Fishers Municipal Center Theater (1 Municipal Drive)
Mayor Scott Fadness and the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability invite the public to celebrate the kick-off of National Disability Awareness Month in Fishers. To highlight this year’s Connected Through Language theme, this event will feature a panel discussion with Fishers residents Jason Magner, Irina Burke, and Greg Gantt about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, history of American Sign Language (ASL), and the celebration of Deaf culture.
Wednesday, March 5 / 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Fishers Municipal Center Theater (1 Municipal Drive)
Join One Zone for a small breakfast of coffee and pastries to learn about Damar Services, Inc. and the positive impact of hiring an individual with a disability from Dr. Jim Dalton, the President and CEO.
Friday, March 14 / 6-9 pm
Fishers Municipal Center Theater (1 Municipal Drive)
Fishers Arts Council hosts an evening for all ages including live music and various kinds of artistic expressions on display in the gallery. All are welcome to this open-house style “Second Friday” celebrating artists with different abilities. Speakers from the Fishers Advisory Committee, Ignite Studio, and the Fishers Arts Council will make comments at 7 p.m. Light refreshments are also available.
Carmel High School (520 East Main Street, Carmel)
All are welcome to a countywide resource fair for individuals with disabilities and their families. No registration required.
Hamilton East Public Library Workshops
Hamilton East Public Library- Fishers (5 Municipal Drive)
Join the Hamilton East Public Library’s Fishers branch for various workshops and programs themed around Disability Awareness Month. Learn more at hamiltoneastpl.org.
- Unbound by Limits: The Power of Movement in Art: Saturday, March 8, 2025 / 11-12:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m. / Registration opens on February 21 at 11 a.m.
- Neurodivergent Teen Hangout: Game Night:| Sunday, March 9, 2025 / 2 – 3 p.m. / Register here
- Preparing for Adulthood on the Spectrum: A Disability Awareness Month Workshop: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 / 7 – 8 p.m. / Virtual / Register here
- Notes on Blindness: A Virtual Reality Experience: Thursday, March 27, 2025 / 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. / Registration opens on February 25 at 5:30 p.m.