By: Danielle Acton
March is Disability Awareness Month, sponsored by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. While HEPL’s events are virtual this year to ensure everyone’s safety during the pandemic, our goal is to promote awareness of disabilities, provide resources for caregivers, and highlight ways to connect and understand each other better as a community. Explore our Disability Awareness Month events and register for an event here. Learn more about local Disability Awareness Month celebrations by visiting the City of Fishers webpage here.
Signing Time Storytime│March 1 & 12│10 – 10:30 AM │Virtual
Join us for a reading of a few children’s picture books, while learning some American Sign Language for some of the words!
Disability and Inclusion│March 4│7 – 8 PM │Virtual
Jeremy Warriner from accessABILITY, center for independent living, will present on disability awareness and how to interact with people with disabilities in your community. A conversational Q&A will follow the presentation. To find more information about accessABILITY and the services they offer, visit their website here.
CareAware Options for Caregivers│March 10│7 – 8 PM│Virtual
When suddenly faced with caregiving responsibilities and you need information on what needs to be done, how to start or who to call, let CICOA help with the vital information in this workshop! We’ll explain important keys for resources as well as survival tips for managing stress that are critical for the journey ahead.
Virtual Memory Café│March 11│2 – 3 PM│Virtual
Join us for a virtual Memory Café–a welcoming gathering for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their family members or caregivers, online via Zoom. Each month will focus on a different theme. Join us for activities, or just join us for company and conversation. We recommend that you have a computer or mobile device with a camera so that we can chat face-to-face!
Dementia Friends Community Info Session│March 15│7 – 8 PM│Virtual
Dementia Friends Indiana info sessions are a brief but very impactful way of learning about dementia, understanding and appreciating the perspective of someone living with dementia, and having the knowledge you need to better communicate and interact with those living with the disease and their family caregivers. Attendees of DFI info sessions will also learn actions they can take to advance the DFI movement and mission of creating better understanding and awareness of dementia, reducing the associated stigma, and creating more welcoming, safe, and conducive community environments for those living with the disease. Upon completion of the DFI info session attendees will be registered as a Dementia Friend in Indiana. For Ages 18+.
Intro to American Sign Language (ASL)│March 30│6 – 7 PM│Virtual
Teens and adults are invited to this Intro to ASL class featuring deaf educator, Michelle Cleary. Learn some basic signs to expand your communication skills with people with hearing loss. For grades 6 and up.
Celebrate Disability Awareness Month by reading! Check out our reading list here.