City Commits to Expand Entreprenuership Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Yesterday, the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council approved a proposal to create more entrepreneurship opportunities for people with disabilities.  In a bipartisan vote, the Councillors unanimously approved the inclusion of the Disability Business Enterprise category to the city’s contracting program. 

Under the new DBE, people with disabilities who own businesses will have the opportunity to join their counterparts – racial and ethnic minorities, women, and veterans – to participate in the process by which our local government has elected to diversify its contracts with vendors.  As a result of this resolution, one percent of annual spending would be targeted to businesses owned by people with disabilities. 

This action marks a tremendous step forward for people with disabilities, especially those who possess an entrepreneurial spirit.  Unfortunately, many people with disabilities, including those who pursued college and graduate degrees, are chronically underemployed and unemployed.  They struggle to earn a sustainable living.  Some are forced to rely on public assistance. 

I am thankful for the leadership of our city, particularly Council President Maggie Lewis, Vice-President John Barth, Mayor Ballard and his Chief of Staff Ryan Vaughn, the proposal’s sponsors, and supporters for their pluralistic approach to entrepreneurship.  Once again, Indianapolis is a model for other cities to follow in making all aspects of life better for people with disabilities.

32nd Annual Bowen Institute on Political Participation

Greg Fehribach with Rep. Carson and Mrs. Kim Hood Jacobs at the 32nd Annual Bowen Institute on Political Participation, April 6, 2013

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in Ball State University’s 32^nd Annual Bowen Institute on Political Participation. It was an honor and a privilege to be a presenter for the Institute where U.S. Rep. Andre Carson bestowed the Distinguished Public Service Award to former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs, Jr. His wife, Kimberly Hood Jacobs, accepted the award on his behalf. 

This award recognizes  Representative Jacobs' service to the citizens of Indiana through his 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he saw combat in the Korean War and was wounded in action. 

Congressman Jacobs has proved to be a great role model for our students.  His service reflects how to fully participate in all levels of politics and government by creating a network of support among constituents, staff members and fellow elected officials.

Through our work with The Disability Project at the Bowen Center and the Institute, we strongly encourage all of our students to fully participate in the political process. During my joint presentation with Linda Phillips, Tippecanoe County Assessor, on “Political Careers in the Public and Private Sectors”, we echoed Congressman Jacobs’ and Congressman Carson’s commitment to working on campaigns, volunteering with local election boards, and taking on causes that are of personal interest. We encouraged the attendees to be informed, involved and engaged. 

It was particularly gratifying to see Congressman Andre Carson so eloquently talk about Congressman Jacobs and his impact on the political process. Concurrently, I enjoyed spending time with Kim Hood Jacobs, who herself is committed to public service and served with me as a former member of the Ball State University Board of Trustees.  

To learn more about the Bowen Center for Public Affairs, please visit their website here.

ADA Transition Plans

During the course of my 27 years as an attorney and a consultant on accessibility initiatives, I have had the honor and privilege of working on a number of projects that impact the lives of countless Hoosiers. 

Our cities and towns often are at the heart of accessibility initiatives.  Yet, for communities, particularly those that are small with limited resources, ensuring accessibility can be both costly and daunting. 

A number of Indiana communities are in the process of updating their ADA transition plans.  Drawing on our extensive local government experience, we are working with counties, cities and towns to develop a realistic and achievable implementation plan that enhances their infrastructure and future transportation planning needs.  We do this, of course, by helping local leaders prioritize and allocate scarce taxpayer resources.   

We too recognize that each community is different – what may make sense for Switzerland County may not translate well to St. Joseph County.  We also recognize that standards change, priorities for accessibility fluctuate, and communities make ongoing improvements to existing amenities.  That’s why our individualized approach is tailored to the communities we serve.   

Updating priorities for accessibility need not be a worrisome endeavor.  Rather, like most of our clients share with us, it’s an opportunity to strengthen the very amenities that our neighbors not only rely upon, but enjoy. 

It’s the foresight of community officials that ultimately allows everyone to attend a meeting or forum at the city hall.  More importantly, it gives a grandparent with a disability the opportunity to enjoy a picnic in the town park with their grandchild. These seemingly small moments add exponentially to a community’s overall quality of life, and make our towns a better place to live, work, and raise a family – for everyone. 

The Student’s Perspective

This semester, I had the opportunity to teach a political science/legal studies course at Ball State University that analyzed the politics dealing with Americans with disabilities and how our issues affected the 2012 Presidential race. 

This class is an integral part of The Disability Project, an initiative of Ball State’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs. Special thanks are in order to Dr. Sally Jo Vasicko and Dr. Ray Scheele for their continued and enthusiastic support of the Project.

As the 2012 fall semester winds down, I am pleased to have the permission from some of my students to share their thoughts about the class with you.  Enjoy a learner’s perspective, as it is an honor to be an educator.

“…prior to taking this course, I had almost no knowledge of anything regarding disabilities. I believed that the issues facing persons with disabilities simply did not pertain to me, but I was wrong. This class made me an advocate, and I will support people with disabilities.”

Heather Kelver, junior, LaPorte, IN

“Without classes like this, there is not an opportunity for my generation and following generations to understand the importance of a supportive government behind all kinds of diversity. As an individual with diversity, I understand that acceptance by all will not come over night; but learning that I have a government that will help give me a voice and help me succeed gives me hope.”

Jamie Barnes, junior, Lebanon, IN

“The Americans with Disabilities Act course at Ball State University opened my eyes to the past struggles, current goals, and future hopes for individuals with disabilities. This class specifically allowed me to understand society and myself in new ways.”

Kellie Snyder, senior, Troy, MI

               

            “…and as a person with a disability, I see classes and areas of study focused on disability as a vital part of the academic process. It seems unfinished and lacking to offer areas of study in all other major minority sectors and to exclude disability.”

Syd Comer, senior, Scottsburg, IN

“…I would say a class like this is a viable part of today's academia. For universities looking for a diverse educational experience, this is a great way to achieve that.”

Jacob Caudill, senior, Cambridge City, IN

            “This great nation of ours was built upon the foundation of Freedom, Justice, and Equality… In order to preserve what the Founding Fathers intended for us we must fight for the equality of all. To begin this process we must educate ourselves.”

Seth Hinshaw, junior, Spiceland, IN

On behalf of The Fehribach Group, happiest of holidays.

How Landmark Legislation Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities

On July 26^th, our country marked the 22^nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It was – and continues to be – a landmark piece of civil rights legislation.

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to see the ADA in action.  I’ve written before  about how the ADA is continually evolving, literally changing for the better how people with disabilities live their lives and plan their futures.  In June, people with disabilities were directly impacted by another piece of landmark legislation when the United States Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

The ADA literally opened doors for people with disabilities.  The ACA has leveled the playing field, making it possible for people with disabilities to actually play in the game.  Simply put, the ACA stands to have lasting repercussions for people with disabilities and their loved ones.

 

Under the ACA, young adults can remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.  At TheDisability Project, we recognize that it takes a longer time for a person with a disability to find sustainable employment.  Our students often have to work with potential employers to overcome misconceptions about accommodating a person with a disability in the workplace.  The opportunity for extended benefits gives our students a transitional period between graduation and their first job.  Equally important is the peace of mind a parent gains in carrying their child with a disability on their health insurance coverage until age 26. 

Because of the ACA, insurance companies can no longer deny health insurance coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition.  They can’t deny adults with a pre-existing condition, either.  Pre-existing conditions can run the spectrum.  Perhaps it’s a child with autism.  Perhaps it’s a mother who beat breast cancer.  For a parent of a child with a disability – or even for a person with a disability – a pre-existing condition often restricts rather than expands employment opportunities.  Now, one can take that entrepreneurial risk without the fear of how to care for a loved one with a pre-existing condition.  Or, they can simply obtain health insurance coverage without the prevailing concern of how a pre-existing condition will impact their family’s financial future.

Finally, the ACA eliminates the lifetime dollar limit on health insurance coverage.    Whether you are like me and were born with a disability or it is the result of a catastrophic event such as an accident or injury, the costs of living with a disability can be exponential.  The lifetime cap has always been a looming concern for people with disabilities, their loved ones and friends.  Its elimination is a significant milestone in the journey of people with disabilities. 

As our population ages and remains active, healthcare coverage for all Americans – including those with disabilities – has become increasingly important for us to live meaningful and productive lives.  These two landmark acts undoubtedly will continue to play a key role as we collectively continue to move forward.