Recently, the National Organization on Disability announced the winners and finalists in the 2006 Accessible America Contest. Indianapolis was one of ten cities honored as a nationwide model for its focus on full and equal opportunities to participate in the life of their community, including access to transportation, recreation, jobs, housing, voting, emergency planning and services.
"The city of Indianapolis has a lot to be proud of when it comes to inclusion," said Mayor Bart Peterson. "Last year, the city provided several networking opportunities to students and adults with disabilities; hosted a job fair for persons with disabilities; and helped to pass an ordinance that promotes contracting opportunities for businesses owned by persons with disabilities."
During the upcoming year, the city of Indianapolis will be expanding its reach by organizing the Mayor's Summit on Inclusive Employment, an event designed to enhance opportunities for people with disabilities. Tentatively planned for the fall of 2007, the event will include a job fair and disability networking day.
The Mayor's Office of Disability Affairs will also be focusing on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in city-wide emergency planning; working with the Marion County Clerk to promote voter accessibility; and producing a video to better educate construction contractors on using the appropriate ramps that conform to ADA standards.
"We have more energy and momentum than ever to continue working to that number one spot," said Juli Paini, the director of the Mayor's Office of Disability Affairs (MODA). "I am confident that by building on our past successes and focusing on our new agenda we will have a lot to celebrate at the end of the year."
Indianapolis is pleased to share the spotlight with the contest winter and runner- up, Berkeley, CA and Chicago, IL. Other contest finalists included Bloomington, IN; Louisville, KY; Miami Beach, FL; New Haven, CT; San Francisco, CA and Sioux Falls, SD.
