The City of Carmel recognizes and celebrates the month of March as National Disability Awareness Month in a variety of ways, including a powerful new video produced with the help of several people in the community. Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
The video features the Mayor, members of the Advisory Committee on Disability and several members of the community who live and work in Carmel. In the video, Mayor Jim Brainard proclaimed March in Carmel as Disability Awareness Month and signed a proclamation. Thank you to those on the committee for their service, including current members Mindy Cameron, Laura Campbell, Kellie Freeman, Melissa Keyes, Wendy Kiefel, Lyle Liechty, David Littlejohn, Beth Maier and Tim Paramore.
Beginning March 1, the Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation Department partnered with the Carmel Arts Council to present a “virtual art exhibit” featuring Carmel artists of all ages and disabilities. The art is featured on the Carmel Arts Council website and will continue to be shared on social media throughout the month. Select works are also being displayed on the Midtown Plaza screen.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR), which promotes inclusion year-round, has been spotlighting its adaptive recreation programs for all ages and continues to be committed to hiring individuals with disabilities. The Parks Department will also hold its second Barrier-Free Theatre production on March 23 and 24; this form of theater is described as drama therapy in which participants with and without disabilities write and act in their own production. Click here to learn more about Barrier-Free Theatre. For more information about CCPR’s programs for this month, visit their website.
About the Advisory Committee on Disability
The Advisory Committee on Disability was established in December of 2019 for the purpose of fostering a culture of inclusivity within the City of Carmel. This Committee represents the diverse needs and interests of disabled people, provides comment on the city’s current services, policies and practices and provides informed input on the development and assessment of future city projects and services that impact people with disabilities. The Committee also works with local employers encouraging them to hire more people with disabilities and helping create positive social activities to enrich the lives of people with disabilities, their families and caregivers.