IU-Bloomington and the City of Bloomington will host events and programs this month in recognition of Disability Awareness Month.
Former president Ronald Regan recognized March as National Developmental Disability Awareness Month in 1987. According to IU Libraries, March is now referred to as National Disability Awareness month in order to be inclusive of more forms of disability.
The events and programs, available in person and virtually, focus on promoting awareness surrounding accessibility and disability rights.
IU Libraries’ National Disability Awareness Month Streaming Guide
The Office of Disability Services for Students and Herman B Wells Media Services have curated a collection of documentaries, films, TV shows and videos focusing on disability awareness month. Available to students for free through the Herman B Wells Media Services website, IU Libraries lists 119 informative and entertaining titles. Students can also access media through the Monroe County Public Library.
“We would like to invite you to engage with media this month and every month to learn more about disability in everyday life,” Kade Padgett, access coordinator for the Office of Disability Services for Students at IUB, wrote in an IU libraries post.
[Related: Students express concerns with IU disability accommodations]
Bloomington 2023 Mayoral Candidates Forum: Disabilities, Accessibility and Inclusion
The four candidates for the City of Bloomington mayor will participate in a forum to discuss disabilities, accessibility and inclusion issues in the city. The forum will take place in the City Hall Council Chambers from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 30. Paul Helmke, director of Civic Leader Centers and professor at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, will moderate the event, which is co-sponsored by the City Council for Community Accessibility and the Stone Belt Advocacy Committee.
Bloomington residents with disabilities can submit questions for the forum to event coordinators by March 22. According to the City of Bloomington, audience members will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
Those who cannot attend in person can view the event on Zoom with captioning and an American-sign-language interpreter. The forum will also be recorded.
[Related: Meet the candidates running for Mayor of Bloomington]
Council for Community Accessibility Meeting
The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility will hold a public meeting in City Hall from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 27. According to the CCA, the meeting is open to any member of the public to attend and participate.
The CCA, founded as the Community Council on Handicap Concerns, focuses on promoting awareness surrounding the challenges disabled people face and advocating for increased accessibility across the city.
