Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.   

In 1987, March was declared the month for National Disabilities Awareness. Since then significant changes and legislation have passed, like the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law in 1990.

But there are still changes to be made, federally and in Indiana. The President and CEO of BOSMA, Jeffrey Mittman, said in an editorial this month that Indiana was at a crossroads– referring to House Bill 1242– which is meant to improve transparency of employment programs for Hoosiers with disabilities. 

A district court judge in Indiana also made a ruling Thursday that will allow voters with print disabilities to ask a person of their choosing to help them complete an absentee ballot in the May 2022 primary election. 

The pandemic has created challenges, limiting resources available to people with disabilities, as some day programs had to temporarily close their doors because of COVID-19.

Advocates say more needs to be done to help individuals, resource programs, and families recover from pandemic related challenges. 

And locally change is happening too. Stone Belt, a nonprofit that provides support and resources to individuals with developmental disabilities, is changing leadership after more than 20 years. 

We'll talk this week on Noon Edition about legislative action, changes coming to Stone Belt, progress made for people with developmental disabilities, and what still needs to be done.

You can follow us on Twitter @NoonEdition or send us questions for the show at news@indianapublicmedia.org.

Note: This week, our guests and hosts will participate remotely to avoid risk of spreading COVID-19.    

Guests

Bitta DeWees- incoming Stone Belt CEO, current chief operating officer

Leslie Green- current Stone Belt CEO

Dee Ann Hart- American Council of the Blind of Indiana, legislative and advocacy committee chair

Hannah Carlock- The Arc of Indiana, public policy director