The City of Fishers is celebrating Disability Awareness Month throughout March with numerous activities and events highlighting the challenges faced by people with disabilities and how the community can improve accessibility for everyone.
Cecilia Coble is co-chair of the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability and president of the Fishers City Council. She said she first got involved advocating for people with disabilities in part because her daughter has autism and intellectual disabilities. Another close family member uses a wheelchair, so Coble is also familiar with the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities.
“So, this is near and dear to my heart, and it’s something I was very passionate about trying to make a difference at when I got elected to the city council,” she said. “We’re really fortunate here in Fishers that we have a supportive mayor and city, and we’ve now been able to help other cities form their advisory councils and their advisory committees.”
Coble said all the major cities in Hamilton County now have similar advisory committees, and she hopes to work collaboratively with them, share best practices and make a difference countywide.
Through the committee’s work, she said, Fishers has been able to provide more accessible housing opportunities, started a social club for young adults called Thrive, worked with the business community to increase employment for people with disabilities and reviewed plans for public buildings and spaces to maximize accessibility.
Fishers also now has a day program for people with disabilities — Outside the Box, a nonprofit that provides activities and other opportunities. It will be housed at the new Fishers Community Center once that planned facility is completed in 2026.
Fishers events planned for Disability Awareness Month include:
- Kickoff and awards ceremony — 8:30 a.m. March 1 at Launch Fishers’ theater. Stacey Oldham, Fishers resident and Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability board member will present the keynote address as she shares the story of her 40-year journey with multiple sclerosis. Annual Inclusion and Accessibility Awards will be given to those who inspire and advocate for the disability community. No registration is required for this free event.
- Fishers Parks Storywalk for the month of March features the book “Just Ask” by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Families can read the book and take a short self-guided walk at Brooks School Park, 11780 Brooks School Rd.
- Fishers Arts Council’s Disability Awareness Art Exhibition during the month of March features the work of artists with different abilities. The Second Friday reception is set for 6 p.m. March 8 at the Hub Gallery, 11810 Technology Dr. Pieces from the exhibit are on display at the Hub Gallery and Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library’s Fishers Library.
- OneZone March lunch, set for 11:30 a.m. at the Forum Events Center, features a panel of local employers who will share their experiences hiring individuals with disabilities. In the lobby after the luncheon, attendees can participate in a reverse job fair with prospective employees. To register, visit onezonechamber.com.
- An employment fair to help people with disabilities draft a resume, learn interview skills and more is set for 9-11 a.m. March 15 at Grace Church, 12450 Olio Rd. Registration is requested for this free event at fishersIN.gov/DisabilityAwareness.
- A Hamilton County Transition Fair, set for 6 p.m. March 27 at Hamilton Southeastern High School, will feature agencies and providers who support people with special needs. No registration is required. Enter at Door 18.
- Various programs will be offered at Hamilton East Public Library. For details, visit hamiltoneastpl.org.
