Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

HUNTINGTON – Throughout March, the City of Huntington will partner with Pathfinder Services, the Huntington County Community School Corporation and the Huntington City-Township Public Library to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Mayor Richard Strick signed a proclamation Tuesday afternoon declaring March as “Disability Awareness Month” in Huntington during a ceremony at the City Building. The city welcomed a number of community members who live with disabilities and their families to the ceremony, as well as representatives from our community partners at Pathfinder, the school and the library.

“Communities like ours are stronger when we make room at the table for everyone,” Mayor Strick said. “We all share a responsibility to overcome barriers and support people with disabilities in any way we can so they can lead rich, independent lives.”

Communities across Indiana have recognized Disability Awareness Month each of the past 32 years to help raise awareness and understanding.

Pathfinder Services President and CEO Danielle Tips, who oversees the organization’s hands-on work with people who have a variety of disabilities, said an important first step is recognizing the obstacles people with disabilities face each day.

“We believe every person has a place in Indiana and Disability Awareness Month encourages all Hoosiers to be inclusive and supportive of each other. Once we learn what barriers society has created, we can understand how to tear them down,” she said.

Several events to raise awareness are planned in Huntington this month.

“Spirit Week” will start, Monday, March 7. Community members are encouraged to wear a different color each day to support individuals who have disabilities in our community.

• Yellow on Monday, March 7, for communication disabilities.
• Blue on Tuesday, March 8, for intellectual disabilities.
• Green on Wednesday, March 9, for psychological disabilities.
• Orange on Thursday, March 10, for physical disabilities.
• Purple each Friday in March to highlight Disability Awareness Month.

Pathfinder has invited Mayor Strick to read a story about inclusion on March 14 to children enrolled at Kids Kampus. Mayor Strick will then collaborate with artists in Pathfinder’s Creative Abilities program once again, helping to paint a mural at Pathfinder’s corporate office later this month. Artwork created alongside Creative Abilities artists as part of Disability Awareness Month each of the past two years remains on display in the mayor’s office, including last year’s replica of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”

HCTPL will host an inclusive story time at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at the library, located at 255 W. Park Drive. The program is geared toward preschool- and elementary-age children, who will have the chance to meet people who have disabilities, listen to them read stories and participate in other activities.

"Equitable access and inclusion are core library values, and we are honored to be a part of this initiative to make our community more inclusive and to raise awareness about disabilities among our youngest community members," HCTPL Children’s Librarian Malissa Hostetler said.

During March, school staff will provide students at Huntington North High School, Crestview Middle School and Riverview Middle School with resources, materials and a video series produced by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities that each focus on disability awareness.