Fourth of July 2013

The struggle for economic equality has always been difficult for Americans relegated to the second tier of our economy based upon the bias of our political leaders and yes, their constituents. Yet, as always is celebrated this time of year, the great American experiment continues to demand that all men are created equal.

On June 11, 1963, President John Kennedy took up the issue of civil rights when he said, “We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the Scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution.”  A little more than a year later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act. 

Twenty-seven years after President Kennedy’s comments, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, finally opening the door to people with disabilities.  Twenty-three years later, people with disabilities still lag behind.  In 2012, only 17.8 percent of persons with a disability were employed. In contrast, the employment ratio for persons without a disability was 63.9 percent. 

Many people with disabilities, particularly those who pursued college and graduate degrees, are chronically underemployed and unemployed.  They struggle to earn a viable living.  Most are forced to rely on public assistance.  The acceptance of public assistance becomes the bondage of disability.  

On April 22, 2013, a bipartisan action by city leaders marked a significant milestone for people with disabilities in Indianapolis.  Our elected leaders moved toward a commitment to fostering a climate of inclusion by creating entrepreneurial opportunities for people with disabilities. Led by Council President Maggie Lewis and Vice President John Barth, the Council unanimously agreed to include the Disability Enterprise Category to the city’s contracting program.  Mayor Greg Ballard signed it into law on May 2, 2013. 

Because of their foresight, people with disabilities who own businesses now 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. 

Our leaders in Indianapolis understand better than most that a common sense approach puts people with disabilities to work.  All too often, we see partisan rancor at the federal and state level over the so-called “entitlement programs,” that millions of Americans with disabilities have come to rely.  Perhaps lawmakers’ time – and our taxpayer dollars – would be better spent developing common sense solutions that help keep people with disabilities off of public assistance and engaged in sustainable employment.

We, in Indianapolis, continue to send a strong message that people with disabilities are cherished and that like the rest of America, and supported by our Constitution, we possess an entrepreneurial spirit that will help us secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.  Because, as President Kennedy so eloquently said, “We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

The Fehribach Awards

 

The Fehribach Award winners pause for a photo following the awards ceremony.  (Left to right:  Sifat Baig, Frances Janovitz, Megan Miller, Andrew Neylon, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw, Mary Beth Fehribach, and Greg Fehribach.) 

 Mary Beth and I were privileged to present the 2013 Fehribach Awards to five exceptional students with disabilities at Ball State University. These students are leaders on and off campus and their recognition demonstrate their early commitment to their academics and their community.  At the ceremony, we emphasized that responsibility comes with recognition.  These award winners have accepted that role.  

As you will see through their accomplishments, they recognize that through support of their University and their individual activities, they have set in motion a nexus of relationships that are essential for their long-term success as professionals and as neighbors. We encouraged them to expand their networks of support, indicating that the creation and sustaining of relationships will guide them in their personal and professional lives.

It is difficult for today’s students to obtain meaningful and sustainable employment. As a new graduate with a disability, that challenge is very real. We continue to be optimistic about the future for our students. They know they have to work harder and smarter to obtain and retain employment in today’s market. The networks they develop today are the first step in their commitment to a meaningful lifetime of quality employment.  

I’m pleased to share the 2013 Fehribach Award winners with you:

A senior Psychology major, Sifat Baig has served as a research assistant and participated in a research project designed to explore the college decisions of wheelchair users.  He is a founding member of the Ball State Power Soccer team.

A senior with a double major in Elementary and Special Education, Frances Janovitz has been recognized by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society.  She also served as co-president for the Student Council for Exceptional Children, and was involved in the selecting the director of the Office of Teaching and Education Services.

A senior majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Megan Miller has the distinction of maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.  She has received numerous academic recognitions, and volunteered with the Pilot Club of Muncie, a unique service organization committed to helping those with brain-related disorders.

A senior English major, Andrew Neylon maintained a 3.8 grade point average, while remaining actively involved in campus life.  He worked for WCRD, the University’s student-run radio station and served as a captain on the Ball State Speech Team.  He also was a member of the Freshman Reader selection committee and academically mentored freshmen.

A senior Special Education major with a 3.8 grade point average, Yaw Owusu-Akyaw served as a member of the Cycling Club, Club Japan, Cardinal Filmworks, and Late Nite.  He was employed with the Student Center, assisting in Building Operations, and was involved with Education in Action and the Student Council for Exceptional Children.  

Congratulations to the 2013 Fehribach Award winners!

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.