City Of Noblesville Establishes Advisory Council On Disabilities

Mayor Chris Jensen presented a resolution establishing the City of Noblesville Advisory Council on Disabilities at the common council meeting on March 14.

The advisory council’s aim is to increase overall community awareness of challenges faced by persons with disabilities and opportunities for support by more effectively mobilizing persons and institutions who are involved with education, outreach, support, and advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities.

“When we look at census data for Noblesville, we see that we have around 8% of our residents that have one or more disabilities,” Jensen said. “We saw a need to increase overall community awareness of challenges faced by persons with disabilities and opportunities for support.”

An initial area of focus for the advisory council will be scheduling listening sessions with nonprofit organizations and area residents who are living with a disability or who support a person with a disability to learn more about what the community is doing well, where it can improve and identify resource gaps and considerations.

Jensen added, “By creating a dedicated entity to mobilize the community around our mission, we envision a more inclusive, supportive and vibrant future in our city.”

The advisory council will develop a website to provide resources, referral and community event information of relevance. The council will also highlight ongoing efforts and initiatives within the city through Janus Developmental Services, Same As U, Noble of Indiana, and other organizations, as well as accessibility in relation to community facilities and autism awareness training by first responders.

“The Noblesville Common Council is pleased to partner with the administration and community stakeholders to accommodate, lift up, and promote the engagement of persons with disabilities,” Common Council President Aaron Smith said. “We are happy to be working together so that everyone in Noblesville has the opportunity to thrive.”

Further, the advisory council will explore development of an Ally Toolkit using best practices and material implemented in other communities. The council will work to develop plans for longer term areas of focus and collaboration.