March is Disability Awareness Month

March 2013 is Disability Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Indiana, along with individuals, businesses and organizations across the state, will be recognizing the abilities of people with disabilities. The Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities has created a new campaign to help educate Hoosiers about disability-related issues and remind everyone of the importance of access, engagement and relationships in making all our communities better places to live.

 

The 2013 Disability Awareness Month theme is “Community Connections.” The campaign poster shows civic engagement and neighbors supporting one another, as well as several physical and environmental features that make a community a livable community. The theme reminds us that if our communities are to grow and prosper, they must be fully accessible – with appropriate housing and community services that allow everyone to live independently. This year’s campaign materials are sponsored by Duke Energy.

 

“We are very excited about the poster and theme of this year’s campaign because creating livable communities across our state is of great importance and this is a wonderful way to get more people involved in spreading the message,” said Suellen Jackson-Boner, Council executive director. “The Council is extremely pleased to learn that Down Syndrome Indiana is joining in this effort.”

 

As in previous years, Disability Awareness Month 2013 will be celebrated with community-based activities carried out by thousands of advocates and people with disabilities throughout the state. Activities include mayoral proclamations, art contests and awareness campaigns in schools, government agencies and businesses.

 

For more information about Disability Awareness Month activities and how you can participate, call Lisa Wells at 317-925-7617. If you would like to order free Disability Awareness materials from the Council , visit www.indianadisabilityawareness.org or contact Kim Dennison at Borshoff, (317) 631-6400 (voice); (317) 631-6499 (fax); or kim.dennison@borshoff.biz (e-mail).