Indianapolis Office of Disability Affairs

This past Saturday, leadership members of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability and Indianapolis Department of Public Works had the privilege of attending Servants at Work, Inc.'s annual fundraiser gala to present them with the 2025 Access & Inclusion Awards' Accessibility Award.

This award is a testament to SAWs' exceptional contributions to eliminating barriers, ensuring individuals with disabilities can safely access and leave their homes, and providing independence to participate in events, programs, and activities in our community.

SAWs’ dedication to providing wooden ramps to individuals who may not be able to afford them strengthens our community, fosters relationships, and empowers an often-overlooked group. Their work transforms lives, enabling people to more fully engage with their communities.

We thank SAWs for their leadership, passion, and unwavering service. The City of Indianapolis is proud to recognize their achievements and grateful for the example set for us all.

To learn more about Servants at Work, Inc., visit https://www.sawsramps.org/

To learn more about the Access and Inclusion Awards or to nominate an individual or organization for one of the 2026 Awards, visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/office-of-disability-affairs

❗Nominations are still open for the three of the four Indianapolis Access & Inclusion Awards for 2026! ❗

Supported by the Office of Disability Affairs and the Mayor's Office, each year, the Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability grants these awards to recognize individuals and companies going above and beyond to support and celebrate people with all types of disabilities.

🏆🤝The Accessibility Award (May 31, 2026 nomination deadline)
▪This award is designed to recognize an individual, business, or organization in the Indianapolis community for making exceptional contributions to eliminate barriers and ensure persons with disabilities can access and participate in events, programs, and activities.
▪Contributions to any and all aspects of community life in Indianapolis are to be considered, including art, culture, recreation, leisure, commerce, travel, worship, and social life.
▪Past recipients include Servants at Work, Inc., Indianapolis Airport Authority, SITE Program IPS, Indy Pride, and more.
To submit a nomination for the Accessibility Award, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAotnlvEu4SKXzEZ7ioCFKMfJCi78_ToUexaOkGZqPgJwUeQ/viewform
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🏆💼The Employer Award (August 31, 2026 nomination deadline)
▪This award is designed to recognize an individual, business, or organization in the Indianapolis community for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to providing career training, employment, and/or advancement opportunities to persons with disabilities.
▪Past recipients include Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, Bosma Enterprises, Nishida Services, HANDS in Autism, Community Health Network, and more.
To submit a nomination for the Employer Award, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb7ccakQW31Y7APbssfyCjN-Ufpf8d2xBby1bY7xAau0kUCA/viewform
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🏆📣The James Pauley Lifetime Service Award (November 30, 2026 nomination deadline)
▪This award was established in memory of James K Pauley, an early leader of the Indianapolis Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability and Chairperson from 1978 to 1980. As a person with a disability, Pauley was a lifelong advocate and active volunteer in the disability community.
▪The recipient of this award should be an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions promoting the inclusion and independence of persons with disabilities within the Indianapolis community.
▪Past recipients include Amber O'Haver, Lou Moneymaker, Vivian Maley, and more.
To submit a nomination for the James Pauley Lifetime Service Award, use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6X0W9A63CzYtyfEzWjRxeLxJ5sw7gcLQQQNaey54n4staZw/viewform
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[Image Description: Digital graphic. The top of the graphic has a dark blue background with golden stars in the top left and bottom right. An image of a large golden seal is in the top center, with black text overlaying that says "Indianapolis Access & Inclusion Awards 2026" Below the seal is a red banner with white text overlaying that says "Nominations open!" The bottom section of the graphic has a white background and features the City of Indianapolis logo.]

The first annual impact report for Snow Buddies Indy is now available for the 2025-2026 season. Thanks to everyone who participated and special thanks to all of our volunteers!

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[Image Description: An informational flyer. The title reads "Snow Buddies Indy 2025-2026 Impact Report." next to the title is a black and white graphic of a smiling snowman shoveling snow and a color graphic of the City of Indianapolis flag covered in snowflakes.

Near the top left, a bar graph indicates the highest need areas by zipcode. For each zipcode, a red bar indicates how many requests for assistance were received, and a blue bar indicates how many volunteers signed up. 46218: 60 requests and 1 volunteer. 46226: 42 requests and 2 volunteers. 46219: 40 requests and 9 volunteers. 46222: 39 requests and 4 volunteers. 46201: 29 requests and 18 volunteers. 46205: 29 requests and 20 volunteers. 46203: 25 requests and 14 volunteers. 46235: 25 requests and 2 volunteers.

To the right, another bar graph indicates the highest volunteer areas by zipcode. For each zipcode, a blue bar indicates how many volunteers signed up and a red bar indicates how many requests were received. 46205: 20 volunteers and 29 requests. 46201: 18 volunteers and 29 requests. 46203: 14 volunteers and 25 requests. 46220: 13 volunteers and 7 requests. 46202: 11 volunteers and 11 requests. 46219: 9 volunteers and 40 requests.

Across the middle of the page, a series of three black and white graphics are displayed with text left to right: First, an image of a house with text underneath that reads "555 Requests; 538 requests came from Marion County, 12 requests from 'donut counties,' and 5 requests from outside the 'donut counties." Next, an image of a hand holding a heart with text underneath that reads "154 volunteers; 145 volunteers were matched. Reasons for not being matched include geographic location and transportation limitations." Last, an image of a house with a small heart next to it with text underneath that reads "195 Matches; Of the volunteers successfully matched, 47 of them committed to assisting 2 or more homes."

Near the bottom left of the page, a line graph portrays Requests Per Day. The graph covers December 8, 2025 through February 23, 2026. There is a small spike to 20 requests mid-December, and a large spike during the large snowstorm late January with the highest request date being January 26, 2026, with a total of 134 requests for assistance coming in that day.

Near the bottom right of the page, is a graphic titled "Program Reach." The description reads "Responses were received from these non-Marion County municipalities:" In alternating blue and red boxes with overlayed white text, 12 municipalities are displayed in a grid 3 boxes in length by 4 boxes in height: Zionsville, Westfield, Carmel, Fishers, Greenfield, New Palestine, Camby, Plainfield, Avon, Brownsburg, Terre Haute, Bloomington, Washington, Columbus, and Connersville.]

It is with great pleasure that the City of Indianapolis extends warmest congratulations to Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana for receiving the 2025 Access and Inclusion Employer Award presented by the Indianapolis Mayor’s Advisory Council on Disability. This award is a testament to Goodwill’s commitment to providing career training, employment, and advancement opportunities to persons with disabilities.

Through its diverse programs and services like Goodwill Mission Coaches, the organization actively promotes self-sufficiency and economic mobility for those who may face additional barriers in our community. Goodwill empowers participants by offering stable, meaningful positions as well as education in financial leadership, goal setting, and personal development. Their programs foster workplaces where unique talents and abilities are valued, and ensure every job serves as a stepping stone to a brighter future.

To learn more about Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, visit https://www.goodwillindy.org/

To learn more about the Access and Inclusion Awards or to nominate an individual or organization for one of the 2026 Awards, visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/office-of-disability-affairs

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[Image Description: Photo of an etched crystal award. The City of Indianapolis logo is at the top, featuring a stylized image of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and text that reads "The City of Indianapolis, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Est 1821." Below, in small text, reads "2025 Access and Inclusion Awards." Below that, in large text, reads "Employer Award." Then, in small text, reads "Indianapolis Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability presented to" At the bottom, in large text, reads "Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana"]

🌎👂 March 3 is World Hearing Day

At Easterseals Crossroads, we are proud to support inclusive communication and provide practical tools for working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing colleagues.

Did you know there are multiple ways to ensure effective communication? Options include:

✔️ Video Relay Service (VRS) for phone calls through a sign language interpreter
✔️ Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for meetings and on-demand conversations
✔️ Scheduled live interpreters for recurring meetings
✔️ Microsoft Teams chat and email for written communication
✔️ Apps like Cardzilla for quick in-person exchanges
✔️ Live captions and transcription tools, when appropriate

Creating accessible communication is about more than technology. It is about respect, preparation, and inclusion.

Want to learn more about how Easterseals Crossroads supports the Deaf community?

Visit: 👉 https://www.eastersealscrossroads.org/services/family-services/deaf-community-services/

Together, we can create workplaces and communities where everyone is valued and heard. 💛

March is Disability Awareness Month!
The goal of this month is to bring destigmatized public awareness to disabilities of all forms by encouraging reflection, conversation, and learning about how disability and diversity affect our daily lives.

In addition to being Disability Awareness Month, March is also recognized as:

-Brain Injury Awareness Month
-Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
-Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention Awareness Month
-Endometriosis Awareness Month
-Epilepsy Awareness Month
-Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
-Self-Injury Awareness Month
-Trisomy Awareness Month

To learn more about the Office of Disability Affairs and explore resources and services available for residents with disabilities, visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/office-of-disability-affairs

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[Image Description: City of Indianapolis flag with white text overlayed. In the top left: "March is Disability Awareness Month!" In the bottom left: "The history of Disability Awareness
Month can be traced to a 1987 proclamation by President Reagan that aimed to raise awareness for Americans with developmental disabilities. The Month has since evolved to be inclusive of all forms of disability." And in the bottom right, "This month and every month, the City of Indianapolis encourages residents to consider how disability affects everyone, and how diversity and accessibility make our community stronger."]

Snow Buddies Indy 2025-2026 Impact Update
🏠546 homes requested assistance
✋🏼144 volunteer sign-ups
🎉193 homes successfully matched with a volunteer near them

Snow Buddies Indy is a volunteer-based program and our ability to match requests depends on the number of volunteers we receive. A giant thank you to our volunteers who have assisted thus far!

Visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/snow-buddies-indy to learn more about the program, request assistance, or sign up as a volunteer!
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[Image Description: Informational graphic. The background is a close-up image of snow. Title text reads "Snow Buddies Indy Impact Update". Below, there are three horizontal banners displaying information. The top banner has a blue background and includes an outline of a house and text that reads "546 Requests". The next banner has a red background and includes an outline of a hand holding a heart and text that reads "144 Volunteers". The lowest and final banner has a blue background and includes an outline of a home with a heart next to it and text that reads "193 Matches". At the bottom of the graphic, "THANK YOU!" is displayed in a handwriting font next to an outline of a smiling snowman shoveling snow.]

📢Snow Buddies Indy is in need of volunteers! We currently have 4 times more needs than we do volunteers and many folks are still snowed in at their residences.

If you have signed up to request assistance, but have not heard back from anyone, it is because there is no one currently available to assist. If a volunteer becomes available, you will be contacted.

Current zip codes with the highest needs:
46218
46219
46226
46208
46222
46228
46254
46237
46235

❗Reminder that the Snow Buddies program covers the removal of snow from the pathway, including steps, between a residence’s door and the sidewalk, as well as the public sidewalk along the property. In addition to keeping public sidewalks traversable, the focus is to create a clear path on the property for delivery drivers, postal workers, medical care staff, and emergency service providers.❗

For more information, or to sign up to request assistance or become a volunteer, visit: https://www.indy.gov/activity/snow-buddies-indy

Photo: WTHR

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[Image Description: A Snow Buddy volunteer shoveling snow on a residential sidewalk]

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Following the recent heavy snowfall, we are seeing a very large influx of requests around Indianapolis from residents who are seeking assistance from Snow Buddy volunteers.

To learn more, visit:
https://www.indy.gov/activity/snow-buddies-indy
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[Image Description: City of Indianapolis flag covered with white snowflakes]

Snow Buddies Indy volunteers needed!
Live in these areas and looking for a way to help out in your neighborhood this winter? See the map below for areas that currently have a high volume of requests for assistance from a Snow Buddy.

Visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/snow-buddies-indy to learn more about the program, request assistance, or sign up as a volunteer!

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[Image Description: Graphic with a dark blue background banner at the top that reads "Snow Buddies Indy Volunteers needed!" in white text. Below, black text over a light blue cloud shape states "Volunteers needed in areas within the red dotted lines". On the right of the banner, in white, line art depicts a smiling snowman shoveling snow.
Below the banner is a map of Indianapolis. Two rectangles are shown on the map by red dotted-lines to denote areas in need of Snow Buddy volunteers. The first area is on the West side of Indianapolis and the four neighborhood points of the rectangle are Eagle Creek, Fieldstone & Brookstone, Old Northside, and Near Westside. The second area is on the East side of Indianapolis and the four neighborhood points of the rectangle are Hunters Ridge, McCordsville, Little Flower, and Raymond Park.]

Snow Buddies Indy 2025-2026 Impact Update

🏠82 homes requested assistance
✋🏼80 volunteer sign-ups
🎉55 homes successfully matched with a volunteer near them

Visit https://www.indy.gov/activity/snow-buddies-indy to learn more about the program, request assistance, or sign up as a volunteer!

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[Image Description: photo of a Snow Buddy volunteer shoveling a residential sidewalk. Text overlaying in the top left of the photo says "Snow Buddies 2025-2026 Impact Update". A bar chart graphic overlaying in the middle of the photo indicates that 82 homes have applied for assistance, 80 users have signed up to volunteer, and 55 homes have been successfully matched with a Snow Buddy volunteer]