The City of Carmel is observing National Disability Awareness Month in March and will be part of several special events. Mayor Jim Brainard signed a proclamation recognizing the month for Carmel and you can see how that all came together in this powerful new video.
Kicking things off is a virtual art exhibit produced by Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Carmel Arts Council featuring local 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 video screen.
OneZone is hosting a special breakfast March 2 at Hotel Carmichael with the theme of March Disability Awareness: Finding Your Next Great Hire. In addition, there will be a Transition Fair from 6 to 7 p.m. on March 23 at Carmel High School, 520 E. Main St. to help connect people with local agencies and services that are available to help families.
These events and the video were made possible with the help of members of the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability (CACD) and others who live and work in Carmel.
The CACD was established in December 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.