March is Disability Awareness Month and ADEC has several key events planned.

A push for voter registration, an information resource fair, a Hacienda fundraiser and a morning hanging out and having fun with Northridge Middle School students round out a busy month for ADEC families.

Check out all we have planned and find what interests you.

  • Voter Registration Push March 11 and March 25

ADEC’s two Power for Independence chapters (PFI) will explore their right to vote and receive voter registration training during March meetings.

“The Indiana voter registration deadline is April 4, prior to the primary in May,” explained Becky Curtis, PFI chapter leader and ADEC’s activities coordinator. Angie Troyer, Elkhart County voter outreach coordinator, will meet with both PFI groups to explain the voting process. She’ll bring voter registration forms, examples of ballots and the voting box for ballots. She’ll also explain the rules for absentee voting.

At both meetings, PFI members will get to walk through a mock election, using actual ballots and ballot boxes. “They’ll be ready to vote in the primary,” said Becky.

The Goshen PFI chapter will meet at 10 a.m. March 11 at ADEC’s Goshen site, 114 E. Lincoln Ave. The Elkhart PFI chapter will meet at 2 p.m. March 25 at ADEC Industries.

“Know your right to vote!” is one of the themes statewide for Disability Awareness Month.

The Arc of Indiana is encouraging all self advocates to exercise their right to vote. “Elections matter,” reminds The Arc. “When you vote, you choose who represents the disability community in the government at all levels … You have the power to choose who decides the structure and funding of disability programs, like our lifelines—including Medicaid and Social Security. Be #DDAware! Get informed and know your rights.”

ADEC staff are doing their part to explain those rights.

Click here for more information from The Arc of Indiana.

  • Resource and Information Fair March 19

ADEC Family Services has organized a Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to noon March 19 at College Mennonite Church, 1900 S. Main St., Goshen. More than 40 agencies will be represented to speak with participants about state and local services and service providers.

This free, public event is intended for individuals with disabilities, their family members and friends, teachers, students, professionals and community members.

“We planned the fair to help parents and families know the resources in the community and to become more familiar with these resources,” said Viv Blakeslee, Transition and Autism Coordinator at ADEC.

  • PFI Fundraiser March 22

Why cook when you can dine out for a good cause?

ADEC PFI’s popular Hacienda fundraiser will be Tuesday March 22. Present a token to your server at the Elkhart Hacienda and the restaurant will donate 20 percent of your bill to ADEC. All proceeds will go to ADEC’s two Power for Independence chapters, which are run solely by self-advocates with a staff adviser. The tokens are good all day, for lunch, supper, carry out and even gift cards.

Click here for a lunch menu and tokens.

  • Ability Day with Northridge Middle School March 29

Again this year, students from Northridge Middle School will spend a morning with ADEC as part of their Disability Awareness education. Students and clients will go bowling at Signature Lanes on C.R. 17 and participate in carnival games and other activities at the Elkhart Sports Center.