Year in Review

Recently, I have been reflecting on this past year and how nearly everyone I know has faced some type of challenge. For some, it is the loss of a job or depletion of savings. For others, it is tightening the family budget to cope with a difficult economy. And for others, it is a reorganization of priorities to accommodate work and personal life.

People with disabilities face challenges every day. And like others in our country, we too, have been affected by this once-in-a-lifetime economic event. We are having a tougher time finding - and keeping - employment. As our population ages and health care costs rise, we are digging deeper to pay for much-needed medical care.

We all are learning that the old model of doing things - at least the model we know - is changing. And it's up to all of us to take the initiative and adapt to these changes. But what do we do when we don't have all the answers? What do we do when the end result of all this change isn't clear?

In the last year, I've learned that we must bring forward the vulnerable among us. A great example is the unprecedented coalition of businesses, labor organizations, medical professionals, faith-based leaders, citizens, and elected officials who made an effective case for a new Wishard Hospital. Because of the work of these individuals and groups, all citizens will continue to benefit from top-notch health care.

I've also learned that those who risk being left behind have strength and power in their numbers. We all have the right to vote, but we must register and become informed of how to exercise this unique power. For people with disabilities, it is incumbent upon us to make our voices heard, either through citizen engagement with elected and community leaders, or through our pocketbooks. In the digital age, it is becoming easier for people with disabilities to communicate and work together.

In the year ahead, I am looking forward to serving as a Distinguished Fellow with Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs, and engaging a new generation of leaders in developing strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the aging population.

A Greek philosopher once said, "Nothing endures but change." As we move into the second decade of the second millennium, this ancient teaching still applies. How we adapt - and grow - is up to each of us.

In the coming year, we have much to look forward to...and much more to do. On behalf of The Fehribach Group, I wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Bowen Center for Public Affairs

Recently, I've been engaged with Ball State University's Bowen Center for Public Affairs as a Distinguished Fellow. Part of my work will include a course in public policy that will address and identify the obstacles people with disabilities face as they seek employment. I'll also be providing students with guest lectures and offering workshops for disability policy throughout Indiana. Additionally, we'll help educate policymakers on how to build inclusive strategies into their communities.

The fellowship is funded by a grant from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. The division's director is Pete Bisbecos, who is determined to address the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from contributing to our economy.

Working with Ball State on an initiative that empowers people with disabilities is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I'm very appreciative of our state's dedication to increasing the economic prospects for our disabled population. I'm also appreciative of Ball State's visionary leaders for supporting not just this project, but the Bowen Center and its excellent team of public servants.

For generations, Ball State has always demonstrated a strong commitment to people with disabilities. With this fellowship, we now have the potential to have a lasting impact on the lives of countless people who are ready and determined to contribute their time and talents to grow Indiana's economy.

I look forward to updating you on our progress throughout the academic year.

Start with Art

Each year, I look forward to participating in the Start with Art luncheon, which kicks off Indianapolis' arts season. It was an honor to attend this year among business associates and friends, all of whom share the belief that the arts have limitless potential to bring together people of diverse backgrounds.

I have had the opportunity to work with several arts organizations -- on a professional and volunteer basis -- to ensure that facilities, programming and exhibits are inclusive for people with disabilities, the aging population and others. It's been rewarding to be a part of so many dynamic offerings and to provide people with disabilities more variety for their entertainment dollar.

The arts encourage us to look beyond the visual characteristics that distinguish us and look deeper into exactly what it is that makes us different and how those differences can enhance our overall quality of life. In Indianapolis, the arts community is a key facilitator in helping all of us appreciate those differences.



Guests enjoying the Start with Art luncheon. Pictured from left to right are: Jennifer Mendoza, The Fehribach Group; David Jurkiewicz, Bose McKinney & Evans; Sarah Myer, NUVO; Mary Beth Fehribach, The Fehribach Group; Juli Paini, City of Indianapolis Office of Disability Affairs; Jane Henegar; Greg Fehribach; Tom Harton, Indianapolis Business Journal; Matt Gutwein, Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County; Tony Mason, 2012 Indianapolis Superbowl Host Committee.

The ADA: A Civil Rights Milestone

On July 26, 1990, I was honored to represent the State of Indiana when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law at a ceremony on the south lawn of the White House. We were surrounded by supporters, members of Congress, people with disabilities, friends and loved ones as we watched our dreams become a reality.

The 19th anniversary of the ADA is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the progress we collectively have made as a country in terms of civil rights. As with other civil rights milestones, it's also an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have to go.

Before the ADA, I lived in a world without curb cuts, ramps, and little economic opportunity. The ADA marked a significant turning point for people with disabilities. At the same time, it opened up new markets for businesses and other organizations in our communities. That's why I strongly encourage people with disabilities, their families, friends and caregivers, to embrace the protections afforded to us by the ADA and become fully engaged in the process. Perhaps it's putting a college degree to work. Or it's advocating for community improvements. Or it's encouraging others to support businesses that accommodate people with disabilities.

The list of how we can become involved is long, but it's ultimately our responsibility to move ourselves forward.

Take Me There: Egypt

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis recently opened Take Me There: Egypt, an interactive way for young people to immerse themselves in the Egyptian culture. From a plane ride on Egypt Air to dinner at a family home, the gallery offers something for everyone, including people with disabilities.

The Children's Museum is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities - particularly children - are able to fully participate in their exhibits, galleries and activities. It's this commitment that allows a child who is a wheelchair user to board that flight to Egypt, and gives the child with a visual impairment the experience of living among the dinosaurs. As offerings to the public are crafted and arranged, the Museum's staff places a key emphasis on how they can make the program accessible for all.

One of the greatest joys of my work is watching people with disabilities enjoy life's experiences without the barriers that they usually face. I'm particularly pleased that parents can take their children with disabilities to The Children's Museum and know that they will have the same immersive and inclusive experience as all other children. In fact, I was told by Museum staff that they once observed a child with a disability accompanied by his grandpa who also had an aging disability - and both were having a great time in the inclusive Dinosphere exhibit.

To learn more about The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, please visit www.childrensmuseum.org.

Diversifying Diversity

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to make a presentation at the launch of Wishard Health Services' Diversifying Diversity Education Series. The series engages the staff, hospital partners, and the public in ensuring we apply a comprehensive approach to diversity in our personal and professional lives.

As a person with a disability, I believe that diversity is the collective sum of each person's life experiences. During my presentation, I encouraged attendees to look beyond the visual characteristics that distinguish us and instead look deeper into exactly what it is that makes us different and how those differences can enhance an organization's strategic and economic goals. Last fall, The Indiana Lawyer featured local lawyers and law firms in an excellent piece about defining diversity. It's clear that in order to attract and engage the best talent - and serve clients in the best way possible - understanding diversity is essential to our economy.

On a personal note, I was honored to speak to such an outstanding group of Wishard employees and friends. As a board member of the Marion County Health & Hospital Corporation, which oversees the Wishard system, I am so pleased by the contributions of this exceptional community asset. Wishard is Indiana's oldest and largest public healthcare system and serves a diverse array of people. Led by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and the doctors of IU, lives have been positively impacted by the hospital's world-class burn unit, trauma center and satellite medical facilities in our neighborhoods.

To learn more about Wishard Health Services, please visit www.wishard.edu.

A North Side Market Story

Just like other couples without disabilities, we can get to where we're going regardless of the weather and traffic conditions, as long as the parking spots for customers with disabilities are clear and available.

On a recent weekend afternoon, my wife and I headed to one of our favorite north side markets to do a little grocery shopping. As we swung into the parking lot, we were dismayed at what we encountered. A fair amount of snow from the previous snow storm had been plowed into all of the accessible parking spaces. There was literally nowhere for us to go. I maneuvered my equipped van - which has a ramp on the passenger side - as best I could. As circumstances would have it, the only option for parking was to place the van sideways and roll from my ramp into the lane of oncoming traffic.

Concerned for our safety, and the safety of others pulling in and out of the tight parking lot, we approached the store manager with a reasonable request not to block access in the lot. "That was the only place to put the snow," was his response. Frankly, we were confused. There were plenty of parking spots for non disabled patrons, so a spot or two could have been used for a snow mound without much consequence. With the melting that had taken place by this point in time, the snow could easily have been shoveled by hand to clear the parking spots in question.

It's a dilemma many of us with disabilities face. We need to buy goods and services and we have the purchasing power to contribute to our economy. And like all Americans, we are not limited by where we purchased those goods and services. But if we can't park in the parking lot, we can't get to the market and then we can't spend our money. I suspect this store manager may not be concerned about our ability to shop there, but what about the grandmother in a walker or the father on crutches after knee surgery?

Why do I share this with you? I want people to remember that a disability can affect anyone - at any point in time - at some point in their lives. I also want to remind our fine establishments to give some extra through to where they park the snow for the remainder of winter, or display the mulch this spring.

This experience hasn't discouraged us. We just look at it as an ongoing opportunity to encourage the store manager and his colleagues.

Welcome to The Fehribach Group

From experiencing my first curb cut in Disneyland in the early 1970s, to playing a role in designing a home for the Superbowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, I know from personal experience that when a design works for a person with a disability, it works for everyone.

As an attorney with a disability, I help my clients look deeper to determine how people with disabilities can enhance and strengthen their economic goals. People with disabilities comprise a powerful spending block, and businesses and organizations nationwide are taking notice.

In coming posts, I look forward to sharing more about what we do at The Fehribach Group and how we help create economic opportunities for both our clients and people with disabilities. I also look forward to passing along my observations about the projects which we are engaged and the impact those projects have on people with disabilities and the community as a whole.

Best,

Greg Fehribach