Bloomington Celebrates Disability and Accessibility Awareness in 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2010

For more information, contact:
Katie Herron, Chair, Council for Community Accessibility, 333-2074
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources, 349-3471
Jared Schlemmer, Assistant Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 349-3406, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the months of March and April officially have been designated Disability Awareness Month and Accessibility Awareness Month by the City of Bloomington.

To help acknowledge the March and April themes, which encourage increased awareness of disability-related issues and challenges, the City of Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) has assembled the following calendar of activities. Individuals with disabilities and their family members, service providers and fellow community members are encouraged to participate. The calendar of events can be viewed online at [www.bloomington.in.gov/cca|www.bloomington.in.gov/cca].

March Disability Awareness Month Activities

Tuesday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 3 - MOSAIC, A Diversity Film Festival. Diversity Theatre, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, presents the third MOSAIC Film Festival featuring short films on poverty and homelessness for adults, and films on disability and accepting differences for children. Participants will be able to discuss the films and issues highlighted with representatives of local partnering agencies which provide services in the areas of poverty, homelessness and disability. On Tuesday, March 2, films will be shown at 7 p.m. at Rhino's All Age Music Club, 331 S. Walnut Street. On Wednesday, March 3, films will be shown at 7 p.m. at Rachael's Café, 300 E. 3rd Street. MOSAIC events are free and open to the public. A complete listing of films is at [http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic|http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic]. For information, contact Audrey Heller at 336-3198, Stacee Evans at 855-7867, or Craig Brenner at [mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov] or 349-3471.

Thursday, March 4 - Reflections on Diversity. Part of Indiana University's campus-wide diversity initiative, this panel discussion is entitled "Reflections on Diversity: Mapping Practices and Setting Priorities." Panelists include Gary Sailes from Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Bruce Jacobs, Auxiliary Services and Programs; and Vicki Pappas, Institute on Disability and Community. The workshop will take place in the Georgian Room of the Indiana Memorial Union from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This is part of a three-month series of lectures, panels and workshops during February, March and April entitled "ARC 2010! - Attention, Reflection, Connection- Steps Toward an Inclusive Campus."

Thursday, March 4 - IU Disability and Career Workshop. IU's Career Development Center and Disability Services for Students is conducting a Disability and Career Workshop from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Career Development Center, 10th & Jordan Avenue inBloomington. The workshop will focus on disclosing disability, resources for finding jobs and internships, resume tips and more. IU students may register through their MyIUCareers account. For information, contact Elaine Johnson at [mailto:eekuhns@indiana.edu] or 855-7490.

Thursday, March 4 - Access Board Webinar: "Accessible Toilet and Bathing Facilities." Access to toilet and bathing facilities is one of the most frequent technical inquiries to the U.S. Access Board. Presenter Dave Yanchulis will review scoping and technical requirements for toilets and bathrooms, including illustrations and diagrams explaining how specifications apply, including those for clear floor space, clearances, fixtures, doors and turning space. This webinar is free and can be viewed at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L at 2 p.m. (To view it on your own, visit www.adaindiana.org/webinars.) For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas at [mailto:adainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Friday, March 5 - "Sensory Processing Dysfunction Practical Information and Strategies: An All Day Learning Experience with Paula Aquilla." The Down Syndrome Family Connection is providing the opportunity to hear Paula Aquilla, a leading therapist in sensory integration/sensory processing. Sensory processing disorders can affect anyone but commonly occur alongside other disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome. This event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Mark'sUnited Methodist Church, 100 N. State Road 46 in Bloomington. The topic is relevant to therapists, educators, medical professionals, mental health professionals, caregivers and students; up to 0.9 CEU's and CRU's are offered. Cost: $125 for professionals, $25 for parents, caregivers and students. For information, e-mail [mailto:info@downsyndromefamilyconnection.org] or call 812-720-9603.

Saturday, March 6 - "Aspiring Abilities" Resource Fair and Family Concert. The Down Syndrome Family Connection and Learning Tree Preschool & Kindergarten present the "Inspiring Abilities Resource Fair" from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road. Learn about products and services available to families with disabilities. Includes activities for kids and a free family concert at 10:30 a.m. by Leonardo and His Band ([http://leonardomusic.com|http://leonardomusic.com]). For questions or more information, contact Cyndi Johnson at [mailto:Cyndi.Johnson_Arc@yahoo.com] or 720-9603, or visit the Down Syndrome Family Connection Web site at [http://downsyndromefamilyconnection.org|http://downsyndromefamilyconnection.org].

Saturday, March 6 - MOSAIC, A Diversity Film Festival: Children's Program. Diversity Theatre, a program of the City ofBloomington Community and Family Resources Department, presents the 3rd MOSAIC Film Festival. March 6 films are about disabilities and accepting differences, appropriate for children ages 4-10. Films will be shown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Ellettsville Branch of the Monroe County Library, 600 W. Temperance Street. MOSAIC events are free and open to the public. A complete list of films can be found at [http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic|http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic]. For information, contact Audrey Heller at 336-3198, Stacee Evans at 855-7867, or Craig Brenner at [mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov] or 349-3471.

Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7 - I AM YOU. Now in its 2nd season, I AM YOU features originally written monologues performed by 14 individuals with developmental disabilities from Stone Belt. They share stories touching the gamut of the human experience - love, loss, independence, work ethic, family dynamics, friendship and more. Audiences will learn about their lives and understand them as multi-faceted, self-determined individuals with myriad interests, goals and accomplishments. Performers have spent 15 weeks preparing and practicing their monologues. Participation in a professional theatre production is an exciting chance to demonstrate that all individuals have stories to share, artistic skills, dreams and aspirations. Audience members will gain a greater understanding of how all contribute to the building of community. Performances of I AM YOU take place at Bloomington Playwrights Project, 107 West 9th Street on Saturday, March 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, available at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office, 114 East Kirkwood Ave. For information, visit [www.stonebelt.org|www.stonebelt.org] or contact Amy Jackson at [mailto:ajackson@stonebelt.org] or 332-2168, ext. 314.

Sunday, March 7 - Bowling for Babies. The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Upsilon Kappa Zeta Graduate Chapter hosts "Bowling for Babies" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Classic Bowling Lanes, 1421 N. Willis Dr. Proceeds support the March of Dimes March for Babies. Teams of up to six can register for $50. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is a service organization founded on the principles of finer womanhood, scholarship, service and sisterly love. To uphold these principles, the Sorority provides education about birth defects and supports efforts to promote healthy, full-term pregnancies. For information, registration forms or to make a donation, visitwww.bloomingtongradzetas.com (under 'Announcements') or contact Susan Johnson at [mailto:sjohnson@luminafoundation.org] or 332-2385.

Tuesday, March 9 - Business Recognition Ceremony. Ten area businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the employment of people with disabilities will be recognized, sponsored by the DiversityWorks Steering Committee, Stone Belt, Options, WorkOne and Vocational Rehabilitation. The event begins at 2 p.m. at KRC Catering, 216 South College Avenue, Bloomington. For information, contact Bitta DeWees at [mailto:bdewees@stonebelt.org] or 335-3507, Ext. 273.

Wednesday, March 10 - Accessible Technology Webinar: "Best Practice in Developing and Disseminating Documents Electronically." This webinar will identify best practices for creating accessible and optimized digital documents and web content for maximized usability, functionality and cost-savings. Presenter Neal Albritton is known for his work on web accessibility and for his contributions to California's Web Accessibility Standards. He will address issues and remedies pertaining to Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint, and public websites for webmasters and content developers of all skill levels. The webinar is free and can be viewed at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (To view it on your own, visit [www.adaindiana.org/webinars|www.adaindiana.org/webinars].) For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas at [mailto:adainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Wednesday, March 10- "Way to Go" Travel Training. Training on how to use the Bloomington Transit system begins at 3:30 p.m. on March 10 at Bloomington Transit, 130 W. Grimes Lane.

Tuesday, March 16 - ADA Audio Conference: "Conducting Effective Accessibility Surveys - Part 1." This two-part conference explores the requirement that businesses, government and educational institutions conduct accessibility surveys to ensure they comply with the ADA. Topics include what and how to measure, who is qualified to survey, and tools available to support surveys. A panel will share "lessons learned" and "tricks of the trade." (Part 2 occurs on April 20.) This free audio conference can be viewed at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas [mailto:atadainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Wednesday, March 24 - Accessible University: "Student Perspectives on Accessibility." Part of a monthly presentation hosted by IU's Disability Roundtable, this features voices of students with disabilities discussing life on campus. Panelists will highlight IU's successes in creating a welcoming environment and discuss concerns about accommodations and accessibility. The presentation will be held in the Oak Room, Indiana Memorial Union, from Noon to 1 p.m. For information, contact Vicki Pappas at [mailto:adainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Wednesday, March 24 - Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization - Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting. Interested citizens are invited to be part of the local transportation planning process. The goal of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is to foster and develop citizen awareness of transportation policy and planning. At monthly meetings the CAC reviews transportation projects and policies, and makes recommendations to the Policy Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the McCloskey Room, suite 135 at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street. To participate or for information, contact Raymond Hess at 349-3423 or visit [http://bloomington.in.gov/mpo|http://bloomington.in.gov/mpo].

March 25 to March 31 - Ivy Tech Bloomington: "Free Your Mind from Hidden Disabilities." Disability Awareness Month activities will take place in the 2nd floor rotunda at Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way, from March 25 through March 31 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Activities will focus on discovering what it's like to have a hidden disability. The public is invited to this free event. For information, contact Sue Gauck at [mailto:sgauck@ivytech.edu] or 330-6046.

Monday, March 29 - City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility. The monthly meeting of the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) begins at 4 p.m. in the McCloskey Conference Room, suite 135 at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street. The meeting is open to all those interested in making Bloomington a more accessible city. For information, contact Craig Brenner at [mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov].

April Accessibility Awareness Month Activities

Thursday, April 1 - Ivy Tech Career Expo 2010. This inclusive networking event at Ivy Tech Community College begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Commons. Students, graduates and employers are encouraged to participate. The theme is Build Your Bridge, emphasizing the importance of having conversations with like-minded people who can influence your career. Participating employers include Author Solutions, Baxter, Bedford Regional Medical Center, Bloomington Police Department, Centerstone, Christole, Hirons & Company, Indiana Human Resource Services, Monroe County Community School Corporation, Surgie Care, On Assignment Healthcare Staffing, ProsLink Inc and WorkOne. Please bring plenty of resumes! Business attire is recommended. The event is sponsored by Bloomington Hospital, Cook Pharmica, The Herald-Times, the Ivy Tech Alumni Association, ModusLink PTS Electronics, Monroe Bank and the South Central Indiana Human Resources Association. For information, contact Katie Anderson at [mailto:kanderso@ivytech.edu].

Thursday, April 1 - Access Board Webinar: "Section 508 Standards Refresh." The U.S. Access Board is updating accessibility standards and guidelines for information and communication technologies under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Telecommunications Act. Presenter Tim Creagan will provide an overview of changes and updates. This webinar is free and can be viewed at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (To view it on your own, visitwww.adaindiana.org/webinars.) For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas at [mailto:adainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Wednesday, April 7 - ADA Legal Webinar: "Reasonable Accommodation - Legal Update." Reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities continues as a frequently litigated ADA issue. This webinar will identify major trends in reasonable accommodation cases. Presenter Barry Taylor, JD, Director of Legal Services at Equip for Equality in Chicago, will analyze recent court decisions interpreting the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA. The webinar is free and can be viewed at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas [mailto:atadainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Friday, April 9 - Wheelchair Rugby Exhibition Game. This wheelchair rugby game is sponsored by the Peer Undergraduate Mentor Program (P.U.M.P.) at IU and is open to all students and staff. A local wheelchair rugby team will demonstrate their skills. The game begins at 2 p.m. at the Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC). For information, contact Dani Clark at [mailto:clardani@indiana.edu] or call IU Disability Services for Students at 855-7578.

Tuesday, April 20 - ADA Audio Conference: "Conducting Effective Accessibility Surveys - Part 2." This concludes the two-part webinar series exploring the requirement to conduct accessibility surveys to ensure meeting ADA requirements. Topics include what to look for in an existing facilities and facilities renovated and/or newly-constructed since 1990, when the ADA was passed. Panelists will share "lessons learned" and "tricks of the trade." This free audio conference takes place at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas at [mailto:adainfo@indiana.edu] or 855-6508.

Tuesday, April 20 - Transition and Community Resource Fair. All students K-12 with a disability and their families are invited to explore resources and services available during school and after graduation at the Monroe/Owen Counties Transition and Community Resource Fair at Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way, featuring 30 booths, refreshments and door prizes. For information, contact Kathy Bruner at 330-7700.

Thursday, April 22 - Bloomington Business EXPO. Disability service providers will be exhibiting at Business EXPO, South Central Indiana's business-to-business trade show, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bloomington Convention Center. Visit booths of the City ofBloomington, DiversityWorks, Abilities Unlimited and others; also features "Taste of Expo" by various restaurants. Admission is free and open to the public.

Saturday, April 24 - Celebration of Families Festival. The Celebration of Families Festival takes place from Noon to 3 p.m. at ThirdStreet Park, at the corner of S. Washington and 3rd Streets. The Festival provides families with information about activities, events and opportunities of local organizations, agencies and businesses. Booths will offer interactive activities (ring toss, floating ducks, basketball, face painting, etc.), prizes and give-away items. In case of inclement weather, the Festival will be held at Girls Inc., 1108 West 8th Street. For information, contact Liz Franklin at [mailto:kirklandliz@hotmail.com].

Monday, April 26 - City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility. The monthly meeting of the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) begins at 4 p.m. in the McCloskey Conference Room, suite 135 at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street. The meeting is open to those interested in making Bloomington more accessible. For information, contact Craig Brenner at [mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov].

Wednesday, April 28 - OPEN HOUSE: Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. Community members are invited to attend the Indiana Institute "Open House," celebrating its 40th anniversary and its service to Hoosiers across Indiana. The Open House will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The work of the Institute is about putting good ideas into everyday life in schools and communities through research, education and service. The Indiana Institute is comprised of seven Centers that address life span issues including early intervention; school improvement and inclusion; transition, employment and careers; age-related change; planning and policy studies; disability information and referral; and autism spectrum disorders. An RSVP is requested but not required: www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/invitation/invitation.html. For information, contact Joel Fosha at foshaj@indiana.edu or 855-6508. For a map and parking information, visit [http://iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=38|http://iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=38].

Wednesday, April 28 - Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization - Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting. Interested citizens are invited to be part of the local transportation planning process. The goal of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is to foster and develop citizen awareness of transportation policy and planning. The CAC reviews transportation projects and policies and makes recommendations to the Policy Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the McCloskey Room, suite 135, City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street. To participate or for information, contact Raymond Hess at 349-3423 or visit [http://bloomington.in.gov/mpo|http://bloomington.in.gov/mpo].

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