During March, the City of Fishers celebrates National Disability Awareness Month with a series of events, workshops, and initiatives. These events aim at engaging the community and celebrating inclusion, collaboration, and acceptance in Fishers.
This year, The Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability is honoring three outstanding individuals through the annual 2023 Inclusion and Accessibility Awards. All recipients have been nominated and selected for their commitment to inclusion and exceptional contributions to the community. Join us in celebrating the legacy of each award winner!
Life without Limits Award Winner, Zach Curtis
The recipient of the Life Without Limits Award is an individual with physical and/or intellectual disabilities who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the community of Fishers by promoting inclusion, independence, and eliminating barriers. The honoree has been nominated and selected for their devotion to inclusion and contributions to the community.
Zach Curtis is an 18-year Fishers resident and lifelong Hoosier and is driven by community involvement. Zach is involved in a multitude of activities, including Best Buddies, Special Olympics, and the Self-Advocates of Indiana, to name a few.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a Fishers resident who lives independently with Autism. I have had many leadership roles, and I am actively involved in Best Buddies, State and Global Ambassadors, and the President of Athletic Leadership Council. I also am a member of the Best Buddies Indiana Advisory Board and a former Best Buddies Young Leadership Council member. I am the current Buddy Director for Butler University in Indianapolis. I am also in a variety of social groups, including Aktion Club, Social Connections, Thrive Social Club, Arc of Indiana, Self-Advocates of Indiana, and the Joseph Maley Foundation.
What do you love most about Fishers?
Fishers is a lovely place and people all over the country choose Fishers for better lives and to be a part of our thriving school district. I love my job at First Internet Bank and my church in Fishers.
Why is Disability Awareness Month important?
Disability Awareness Month is important to me because our society has become more aware of individuals, both youth and adults, with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It is good because people can see that those who have disabilities can do anything and help make our communities more accepting and understanding.
Cornerstone Employer Award Winner, Jason Boyer of Hampton Inn & Suites, Fishers
The Cornerstone Employer Award is given to an individual, business, or organization in the Fishers community who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to providing inclusion, career training, employment, and/or advancement opportunities to persons with disabilities.
Jason Boyer is the General Manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Fishers. He is a strong advocate for creating an inclusive work environment and is committed to providing inclusion by helping his team reach their highest potential.
Tell us about yourself.
I have worked in hotels for approximately 15 years. I’ve worked in sales, at the front desk, management, and GM-level positions. I also love pets of all kinds, and I currently have 3 dogs.
What do you love most about Fishers?
Fishers is very welcoming and diverse. The city is safe and clean. The police team does a great job of being present in the community and helping ensure the safety and importance of its residents as the city continues to grow.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who work to prove to themselves that they can be better people and that nobody can hold them back.
Why is Disability Awareness Month important?
For so many reasons! I mentioned I’ve been in hotel and hospitality for 15 years, and until recently, I was unaware of the programs and additional options available to recruit team members. I was asked by another team member if I would consider hiring someone with a “disability.” My first response was, “Absolutely, why wouldn’t I?” I don’t feel that someone with a disability is any different than me or each of the team members I have. Everybody, including myself, has different methods of learning and adapting. And that’s OK! We have diverse backgrounds and I think that helps us to grow and evolve as both people and a business.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Janus Developmental Services and Opportunities for Positive Growth. As a manager, the best thing I can experience is watching people be given opportunities they may not have been given, watching people succeed when they may have been told they couldn’t do something, and watching people surprise themselves at just how great they are and how much they can do. That’s the most rewarding feeling, and it takes so little on our part as an employer. It really just takes that person to stand up for those who may not be able to and help them thrive. I feel that being a part of someone’s development and growth gives purpose to my life. It’s rewarding to know I may have made a positive difference in the life of someone else. How awesome is that feeling!
Accessibility Award Winner, Tsimerakis Family
The Accessibility Award recognizes an individual, business, or organization in the Fishers community that has made exceptional contributions to advocate and eliminate barriers in all aspects of community life, to ensure that persons with disabilities can access and participate in programs, activities, and events.
Zanthe was the leader in the Unified Programs and Best Buddies program when she attended Fishers High School. After graduation, she continues to be very engaged in the special needs community in Lexington while attending University of Kentucky.
The month-long March Disability Awareness Month celebration, hosted by the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability, will feature special events and initiatives throughout the city. This year’s theme, Building Our Future Together, will include partners from around Hamilton County to promote disability inclusion in our community.
Meet the rest of this year’s award winners on the website and learn how you can be an ally for disability inclusion and show your support for this initiative through the digital toolkits, Ally Toolkits, and a list of frequently asked questions. For the event lineup, registration details, and more information on how to champion inclusion, visit fishers.in.us/DisabilityAwareness and follow along on social media using #FishersDisabilityAwareness.
Cami McGrady is a college intern for the City of Fishers Public Relations department. She is originally from Hillsboro, Indiana, and is a senior at Butler University. Cami is majoring in marketing and is a four-year member of Butler’s Women’s Swim Team. Outside of her internship, you can find Cami exploring coffee shops, hanging out with her family, or trying new restaurants with her friends. She loves the small town feel of Fishers and is excited to explore the city further.