25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26, 2015 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I was present at the bill signing in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush announced, “With today’s signing of the landmark Americans [with] Disabilities Act every man, woman and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, freedom and independence.” These words launched a watershed moment for American civil rights.

July 20th, 2015.
White House East Room

This past Monday, I was honored to be invited back to the White House to celebrate the anniversary of the ADA. President Obama spoke about the accomplishments of this momentous civil rights legislation.  “Thanks to the ADA,” he said, “the places that comprise our shared American life – schools, workplaces, movie theaters, courthouses, buses, baseball stadiums, national parks – they truly belong to everyone.  Millions of Americans with disabilities have had the chance to develop their talents and make their unique contributions to the world.  And thanks to them, America is stronger and more vibrant; it is a better country because of the ADA.”

This civil rights milestone has improved the quality of life for more than 50 million Americans. Though it prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, we are still grappling with economic inequality.

The dedication and work ethic of people with disabilities make them valuable employees.  However, these assets are often overlooked by employers.

It is this disparity that encourages me to discover more opportunities for qualified students with disabilities so that they may attain independence and professional fulfillment. I am happy to say that I am not alone in the trenches.

As a former Ball State University trustee and a current trustee of the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, it is a privilege and a pleasure to introduce a partnership with these prestigious institutions at Eskenazi Health. The innovative Eskenazi Health Initiative for Empowerment and Economic Independence is a partnership with Ball State University’s Disability Project that places students with disabilities in paid internships in Indianapolis. Not only do these students gain valuable professional experience in their fields of study, they develop professional networks and relationships, which often lead to productive employment.

The program recently received support from Lilly Endowment to help it expand.  In addition, we have grown our list of partners with the addition of Emmis Communications, who is hosting a student with a disability for a summer internship.

As President Obama stated, “Days like the [anniversary of the ADA] are a celebration of our history.  But they’re also a chance to rededicate ourselves to the future – to address the injustices that still linger, to remove the barriers that remain.”

With the continued support of organizations, including the Lilly Endowment, the Lilly Foundation, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and efforts of our valued partners, our reach will grow to touch even more lives filled with promise and hope.  And with each individual dream fulfilled, we realize the power and possibilities of the ADA and America.  

Senator Tom Harkin

July 20th, 2015

2015 BSU Disability Services Awards Program

On Tuesday, April 7^th, Ball State University held its Disability Services Annual Awards program. Mary Beth and I presented the 2015 Fehribach Awards to students who have maintained high academic standards while being involved in the Ball State community outside of the classroom. Ball State is committed to challenging students with disabilities to enhance their careers and elevate their futures.

As a Distinguished Fellow of the Political Science Department’s Bowen Center, I stress to students the importance of political participation. One of the Bowen Center’s key focuses, political participation by a disenfranchised group will help Indiana grow. 

In collaboration with Director Larry Markle and his team at the Office of Disability Services, we have presented this longtime award to students with varying disabilities. With great pride, I would like to introduce the 2015 Fehribach Award Winners:

From R to L: Elise Basiletti, Julie Bloom, Derrick Decker, Will Kuhn, Malia Finch, Amanda Rusk

Elise Basiletti, a senior Special Education major, is a student with an incredible array of extracurricular activities. While maintaining a 3.8 GPA, Elise has been involved with the Chi Alpha Phi Christian Fellowship, the American Sign Language Club, and volunteers for classroom panels and presentations. Elise also works at two Chick-Fil-A restaurants, and was involved in the Indiana School for the Deaf residential program last year.

Julie Bloom is a senior Elementary Education/Special Education major. She has over a 3.0 GPA. Julie has been a four year member of St.A.R.T., Student Alumni Relations Team, and a four year participant in Ball State’s Dance Marathon. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, where she held multiple leadership positions. Julie worked in the Course Exemplar Poem Project in the spring of 2014 and volunteers her time with the Muncie Animal Shelter, the Buley Center, and Beyond I Can.

Derrick Decker, a senior Athletic Training major, has been a part of Ball State’s Athletic Training Program and Athletic Training Club. Derrick has a 3.1 GPA and is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He worked with BSU’s men’s basketball, football, and women’s volleyball and softball teams, as well as working at several local high schools. Derrick also worked at the Henry County Sports Medicine/Performance Enhancement and interned with the Indianapolis Colts in the summer of 2014.

Malia Finch, a senior Legal Studies major, holds a 3.6 GPA. She has worked in many roles across campus, including in Housing and Residence Life, as a Resident Assistant (RA), a Multicultural Advisor (MA), and a co-teacher of EDHI 200. She was a teaching assistant of POLS 474 and POLS 130, and was involved in peer tutoring. Malia is a member of the Legal Studies Student Association and volunteers at Longfellow Elementary School, as well as working as a Peer Victim Advocate at the Office of Victims Services.

Will Kuhn is a senior Telecommunications major who holds a 2.8 GPA. Will is the Athletics Chair of Phi Gamma Delta and a member of Ball State’s Power Soccer team. Will is also a member of the Fundraising and Technology Committees of Dance Marathon. He interned at Eskenazi Health Hospital in 2014, and has been integral in helping that program grow. Along with his other accomplishments, Will serves as a Student Trustee Selection Committee member.

Amanda Rusk, a senior Criminal Justice major, works in the Adaptive Computer Technology Lab. Along with her work, Amanda holds a 3.5 GPA. She is a member of the University Conduct Board, and studied abroad in England for a year. In the spring 2015 semester, Amanda interned at the Delaware County Adult Probation.

As President Ferguson joined his voice with others calling for “a vibrant and diverse community”, he and other university presidents were of the few leaders who included people with disabilities in their public comments. By ensuring access for all Hoosiers, Ball State continues to be a forerunner for economic equality. We expect these students to be the next generation of leaders who will take on the responsibility for accessible and inclusive public policy.

The Indianapolis Experience for People with Disabilities

Jessica Finkel with her parents, Ken and Ann.  Ken is a former OI Foundation Board President.

Jessica Finkel, program associate-professional programs, with the OI Foundation shares her thoughts below about her recent experiences in at the OIF National Conference in Indianapolis.

Finding out that the 2014 OIF National Conference was going to be held in Indianapolis was especially exciting for me; not only was I going to be a part of planning an OIF National Conference for the first time, but it was going to be in my hometown! Although I have not actually lived in Indianapolis since I graduated High School in 2008 (Go LC Bears!), it is a place I am proud to call home.

I love coming home to Indianapolis. It is incredible to see how the city has changed and improved over the past six years.

Indianapolis is a home to wide and accessible sidewalks, fabulous restaurants and welcoming people. Everywhere you go, the people of Indianapolis are there with a welcoming smile and a helping hand. I have to admit, I did not appreciate the friendly waves and smiles of neighbors and strangers until I left Indianapolis.  I sometimes miss being able to strike up a conversation with the stranger next to you, which certainly is not as welcomed in the Washington, D..C area, where I live now.

This year, the OI Foundation organized our first ever National Unbreakable Spirit™ Walk-n-Wheel along the downtown Canal Walk. Everywhere I turned, conference attendees were talking about how beautiful the canal and park areas were and how accessible the canal is. With more than 200 people participating, many in wheelchairs or using walkers, it felt like a casual afternoon stroll instead of a mile walk in 80-degree weather plus humidity.

Volunteers from the Indianapolis community showed up to help cheer on the participants and pass out water bottles. Again, showing their Midwestern hospitality, only smiles adorned the volunteers. A huge shout out to the Lawrence Central Key Club who spent their Thursday summer afternoon yelling “good job” and “you’re halfway there.” It really goes to show the greatness of the city and faces of Indianapolis.

After sitting in a forum all morning, a large group of us had decided to walk to Steak-n-Shake for lunch on Friday afternoon. While a little bit longer of a walk from the JW Marriott, it is an easy walk with the smooth sidewalks and drop-off ramps. Entering the restaurant’s to-go line there were at least five wheelchairs among the usual lunch crowd. The staff was quick to make sure signs and line dividers were moved so there was plenty of space for us. They even came around the counter to hand us our takeout instead of struggling to reach around the counter.

It is the small things that really make a difference- Indianapolis remembers that.

I have always loved calling Indianapolis my home and after the OIF National Conference, I am even more proud to do so.  Everyone absolutely loved the city and everything it had to offer: the restaurants, the zoo, the bars and more.

As a Hoosier at heart, I could not be more proud of the growth of the city of Indianapolis.

OI Foundation Board President Mark Birdwhistell cuts the ribbon at the inaugural National Unbreakable Spirit™ Walk-n-Wheel.

Welcoming the OI Foundation National Conference to Indianapolis

Yesterday, the Indianapolis Star today published a letter from me about our city's accessibility, and how it played a key role in landing the Osteogenesis Imperfecta's biennial national conference.  While is it an honor to welcome the members of the OI community to Indianapolis, I am so proud they will experience all our city has to offer in the coming days. 

Here is a link to the letter: 

http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/07/29/indys-accessibility-draws-national-conference-accolades/13321927/

The 24th Anniversary of the ADA: Students Striving for Economic Equality

Front row, left to right:  Colin McIntire, Will Kuhn, Matthew Marshall, Greg Fehribach, Dustin Gilmer and Andrew Seever.  Second row, left to right:  Larry Markle, director of the Office of Disability Services at Ball State University; Juli Paini, director of the City of Indianapolis Office of Disability Affairs; Dr. Ray Scheele, professor of Political Science and co-director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University.  Andrew Seever is an intern for the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Disability Affairs.

On July 26, our nation marks the 24^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

For people with disabilities, their colleagues and friends, the 24^th anniversary represents landmark civil rights legislation that has improved the lives of millions of people.   While the ADA has opened doors to people with disabilities, we lag behind the rest of the population in terms of ability to secure economic equality. 

College students with disabilities are particularly at a disadvantage in obtaining employment after graduation.  Employers often see the disability, and not the work ethic or determination that actually pushed the student through college.  In fact, people with disabilities are often effective and loyal employees.

I am privileged to work with Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs and Eskenazi Health to establish paid internships for students with disabilities at one of our nation’s premier public hospitals.  This summer, four Ball State University students are interning at Eskenazi, gaining valuable professional and personal experiences. 

It has literally been life changing for these students, as reflected by their remarks on their internships:

My internship at Eskanazi has, in no uncertain terms, changed my life; it has given me confidence, determination, and experiences that I feel will be helpful in many aspects of my life. My job entails assisting the therapists in any way they need, and through this I have learned more than I could have asked for about how a hospital functions, and more importantly to me, how I can function in a hospital environment. Before this, I was very concerned with how exactly I could be a doctor, or even have a job at all. Now I know that even though it may take some extra work, there is nothing stopping me from entering the work force as whatever I want.

Matthew Marshall, Physical Therapy Department

This internship has been more than I anticipated it would be. I have been able to use the skills I have been given by my university to confirm my desires to pursue a career in the media industry. I have been able to craft my writing into meaningful projects that will impact the community, I have been able to work with a team of experts that love their job and are willing to help others learn and improve as a team working together, and I have also been able to prove to myself that I can be a working member in society doing the things I love to do! 

Dustin Gilmer, Public Affairs Department

 This internship has been amazing. The people I work with are amazing, the experience that I am getting is going to help me in my future job and it does help that we get to earn a paycheck too. This internship is pretty much my first job and I just love it. The Hospital in general is amazing too. Coming to work in the morning and everyone says hi to you. There is not a better feeling than that. As you can tell I really love this internship. 

Will Kuhn, Public Affairs Department

On behalf of the Bowen Center Disability Project, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Eskenazi internship team for investing in these students. In doing so, they are developing an employment model that businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations can mirror.

This group of interns is learning that the American dream can be achieved. Their hard work in the classroom and throughout their internships is a big step towards that goal. By expanding meaningful and sustainable economic opportunities for students with disabilities, we can continue to fulfill the promise of the ADA.

2014 Recipients of the Fehribach Awards

Front row, left to right:  Emmy Kaiser, Jacob Lipson, Colin McIntire.  Back row, left to right:  Greg Fehribach, Mary Beth Fehribach, Sarah Sims, Jamie Barnes, Kasey Herrington.

Last month, Mary Beth and I presented the 2014 Fehribach Awards to an outstanding group of students.

We have been involved in the awards since 2009, when a longtime award and scholarship opportunity was renamed the Fehribach Awards.  Since then, we have honored five to six outstanding Ball State University students each year.   We are proud to stand with these students and recognize their individual achievements despite their physical challenges.

In today’s economic world, college graduates with disabilities face an uphill climb in securing meaningful and sustainable employment.  However, statistics have shown that these graduates can have a profound impact on our communities at large.   Guided by the Disabled Student Development Department and its director, Larry Markle, these young men and women are well positioned to leave a lasting mark on their professions.

Allow me to share the following 2014 Fehribach Award winners:

Sarah Sims, a junior Social Work major, has been involved with both the Alliance for Disability Awareness and the Faculty Mentorship Program. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA, she is also a member of Grace Village Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry, where she worked for a semester. Along with fellow Fehribach Award winner Emmy Kaiser, Sarah helped to start a wheelchair basketball group for students with and without disabilities.

Jamie Barnes, a senior Special Education major, is involved with Ball State Dance Marathon and helps coach Special Olympics. She also works 30-40 hours a week as a respite care provider at Bridges of Indiana. During her freshman year, Jamie was involved in the Faculty Mentorship Program, a program that pairs students with disabilities with a faculty mentor in their field of study.

Kasey Herrington, also a senior Special Education major, has maintained a 3.6 GPA, while being involved with the Alliance for Disability Awareness as well as Students for Education Reform.  She has served as a personal care attendant, physical assistant, and note taker for students with disabilities. Kasey is also currently taking part in the Pathways to PhD program.

Emmy Kaiser is a graduate student, studying for her Master of Arts in Sports Psychology, with a 3.7 GPA.  A 2012 Paralympian, Emmy is the #1 ranked women’s tennis player in the United States and does many presentations and demonstrations on wheelchair sports and the experiences of paralympic athletes. While at Ball State, Emmy started a wheelchair basketball group with fellow Fehribach Award winner Sarah Sims for students with and without disabilities.

Jacob Lipson, a senior Theatre major, is the first in his major who is a wheelchair user at Ball State. He has written a play that has been read twice on campus, and writes reviews for films and plays.  As a freshman, Jake took part in the Faculty Mentorship Program.

Colin McIntire, a junior Computer Science major, is a member of the Honors College, maintaining a 3.7 GPA. He is a member of the BSU Power Soccer Club, of which he has been a member for three years. Colin has travelled with the team to tournaments throughout the United States and plans to participate in the national tournament this summer.

Congratulations to our 2014 Fehribach Award winners!