The City of Bloomington will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a free public event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Fernandez Plaza outside City Hall, near the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.
Hosted by the city’s Council for Community Accessibility (CCA), the event will feature informational booths, games, prizes, and local resources for residents.
The celebration is family-friendly and open to all, with the goal of raising awareness about accessibility and promoting community support networks.
“We just want people to know about the different resources for people with disabilities in our community—what you can take advantage of what you can volunteer with,” said Annabelle Vosmeier, a CAA staff assistant.
This year’s event will also be the first public use of “The Front Porch,” the city’s new community gathering trailer available for nonprofits and neighborhood groups. The trailer includes tables, games, and supplies to support local events.
Founded in 1990, the CCA works to improve access to public spaces and advise the city on disability inclusion. The group supports initiatives such as staff training, accessibility audits, and programs like Snow Buddies, which pairs volunteers with neighbors who need help clearing snowy sidewalks.
While Bloomington has made progress, Vosmeier said challenges remain—especially around affordable, accessible housing and transportation.
“If a unit is affordable, it may not be accessible… it may be on a higher floor without an elevator,” she said. “And while Bloomington Transit Access is strong, we’re still waiting on, for example, a taxi company that has accessible vehicles.”
The CCA also hosts “Gather Around the Table” each fall, a community discussion focused on ongoing accessibility issues. This year’s theme is employment for people with disabilities.
The CCA holds open monthly meetings on the last Monday of each month at City Hall.
In case of rain, Saturday’s celebration will move to inside City Hall.
For more information, visit bloomington.in.gov/cca or contact Michael Shermis at cca@bloomington.in.gov.
