Image source: The Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana Facebook page
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana will host its first Community Empowerment Celebration on July 11.
The celebration aims to bring together local organizations, resources and programs to support people with disabilities and their families.
The event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Forest Park Building at 2519 E. Main St. More than 20 agencies, programs and organizations will provide information about services available in the community. The event will also include a food truck, a display featuring inclusive toys such as Barbie and Legos with disabilities, and information about a new adaptive cheerleading program.
Traci Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana, said the event was created to help residents learn more about resources that are already available locally.
“We actually are a very resource rich area. We have a lot of great programs and organizations that can support and empower individuals with disabilities in our area. And folks just don’t know,” Taylor said.
The Independent Living Center is a state and federally funded program serving Richmond, Wayne County and surrounding areas. The center provides items such as rollators, walkers, canes and magnifying glasses at no cost. It also provides independent living skills training related to budgeting, transportation and housing.
“We empower individuals with disabilities to stay safe and independent,” Taylor said.
The center has been operating for 26 years. Taylor said the Community Empowerment Celebration is an effort to bring back larger community events after a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our events have waned a little bit. We haven’t quite had a chance to come back after COVID,” Taylor said. “And our empowerment event is kind of our first breakout or break back in event.”
The center serves individuals with disabilities of all ages, including families who need support navigating services.
“Our center is from birth to passing,” Taylor said. “And the birth can include family members, wraparound services.”
The independent living movement began in the 1960s alongside the civil rights movement. Taylor said Richmond residents later worked to establish a local center to better support people with disabilities.
“In our local area, a group of homegrown folks right here from Richmond decided, you know what, we need to make this area better, safer, and stronger for individuals with disabilities.”
In addition to helping individuals access services, Taylor said the center works with local businesses to improve accessibility and create a more inclusive community.
“An empowered community looks welcoming, it looks supportive, it looks inclusive,” Taylor said. “It looks like everybody can go into your store and spend their money buying your items.”
She said accessibility improvements can begin with a willingness to listen and make changes. She hopes residents recognize people with disabilities as active members of the community.
“Individuals with disabilities are important, valuable members of our society,” Taylor said. “We have funds, we have money, we would like to use your services. We want to buy your stuff, we want to buy your coffee, your pizza, your clothing.”
“Let us in your stores. Help us get to be able to give you our money.”
