The annual celebration of National Disability Awareness Month in Fishers returns next month to bring awareness of what life is like for those with physical and intellectual disabilities.
The month-long celebration, hosted by the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability and presented by Old National Bank, will feature a series of special events and initiatives throughout the city. This year’s theme, Achieving More Together, will include partners from around Hamilton County to champion disability inclusion in Fishers and beyond. The 2022 lineup includes events hosted by the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability and community partners such as PRISM Project of Fishers, Hamilton East Public Library, OneZone Chamber of Commerce, Fishers Music Works, Fishers Parks, and more.
The celebration will include the return of the Ally campaign, which invites residents to become advocates for disability inclusion. Free Ally toolkits will be available for community members to showcase their advocacy, educate themselves and others, and further the discussion on disability inclusion. Toolkits including a t-shirt, yard sign, stickers, and other materials will be available for pick up at Fishers City Hall (1 Municipal Drive) beginning Monday, February 21. Virtual toolkits, now available at fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness, include information on how to be an Ally; a language guide and FAQ; social media graphics; Zoom backgrounds; and an Ally pledge.
The 2022 event lineup includes:
2022 Disability Awareness Month Kick-Off: Achieving More Together
Tuesday, March 1 / 8:30 –10 a.m.
Fishers City Hall Auditorium
Kick off the month-long celebration with keynote speaker Darcy Keith, a traumatic brain injury survivor and Fishers resident. The annual Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Awards will also be presented. Registration is not required for this free event.
Fishers Parks’ Storywalk: Can Bears Ski?
March 2–31 / Daily
Brooks School Park
Take a self-guided hike as you enjoy the children's book Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus. Registration is not required for this free event.
OneZone Luncheon: A Photographic Journey Through an Inaccessible World
Wednesday, March 9 / 11 a.m.—1 p.m.
Forum Events Center
Join Doug Goeppner, MSW, LSW, for an interactive session on how the world is experienced by individuals with disabilities. Event registration is required.
2022 Hamilton County Transition Fair
Wednesday, March 16 / 6-7:30 PM
Hamilton Southeastern High School
Get local resources for life’s transitions from service providers around Hamilton County and surrounding areas. Registration is not required for this free event.
PRISM Project of Fishers: Spring Performance
Sunday, March 20 / 2-4 p.m.
The Switch Theatre
Watch a live performance from The PRISM Project of Fishers, an inclusive performing arts program for children and young adults with disabilities and their typical peers, ages 6 to 22. Tickets will be available beginning Monday, February 7 at TheSwitchTheatre.com.
OneZone Caffeinated Conversation: Disability Employment Discussion with Providers
Tuesday, March 22 / 8-9 a.m.
Courtyard by Marriott, Indianapolis/Fishers
Find resources and information about the hiring and training process of employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Event registration is required.
Celebrating Beethoven's 250th Birthday
Sunday, March 27 / 4 p.m.
Legacy Bible Church
Join Fishers Music Works' White River Chamber Orchestra to celebrate Beethoven's 250th birthday while we pay homage to the brilliant composer whose music is beautiful, sensitive, witty, dramatic, evocative, heartbreaking, and deeply human, demonstrating the triumph over his hearing disability. This concert is open to the public. More information can be found at www.fishersmusicworks.org. Tickets will go on sale later this month.
Hamilton East Public Library Workshops
Throughout March / Hamilton East Public Library
Tune in to free workshops in honor of Disability Awareness Month hosted by the Hamilton East Public Library. Registration is required. Workshops include:
- Check Your Shelf Book Club for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) / Thursday, March 3 / 2-3 p.m.
- Autism 101 / Thursday, March 3 / 7-8 p.m.
- Dyslexia Information and Advocacy Workshop / Wednesday, March 9 / 6:30- 8 p.m.
- Dementia Friends Information Session / Tuesday, March 15 / 1-2 p.m.
- Introduction to ASL / Tuesdays, March 15, 22, and 29 / 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Adults on the Spectrum / Thursday, March 31 / 7-8 p.m.
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.