Westside Special Needs Fair features nearly 59 agencies

Individuals and families with disabilities of any kind are welcome at the fifth annual Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair, to be held Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th St. (16th and Winton).
The fair will feature more than 40 state and local agencies who serve individuals with disabilities and special needs and their families. These organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, while a carnival featuring games and face painting will run concurrently. The event is free, and free child care is available to children of parents visiting the information tables. Lunch is available for a small donation. Spanish interpretation will also be available at no charge. Families also can register for a prize drawing featuring several prizes donated by area businesses, individuals and the exhibiting organizations.
Exhibitors at the fair include About Special Kids, Advantage Care Select, The Arc of Indiana (offering waiver info & more), Autism Advocates of Indiana, Awesome Westside Advocates, Benchmark Family Services, Brain Injury Association of Indiana, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Center for Youth and Adults with Conditions of Childhood, Central Indiana First Steps, Coming Home Medical Organizer, Cornerstone Rehabilitation Services, Damar Services, Discovery Toys, Down Syndrome Indiana, Easter Seals Crossroads, Feeding Friends, Fresh Perspectives, Helping Challenged Children, Hope Haven Horse Farm, Horizon Financial Planning, INDATA Indiana Assistive Technology Act), Indiana Canine Assistant Network, Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living, Indy Parks & Recreation with Marion County Special Olympics, IN*SOURCE, Jameson Camp, Loving Care Agency, MD Wise, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Masonic Lodge Child ID, Meaningful Day Services, MetLife’s Center for Special Needs Planning, MidWest Orthotics, NAMI (National Mental Illness) Indianapolis, Noble of Indiana, Nurture the Child through Kindermusik, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Programs, St. Vincent New Hope, Special Olympics Hendricks County, Speedway UMC, Speedway UMC Health Ministries screenings, Sycamore Services, Tender Touch Special Needs Massage, The Village of Merici, VSA Arts of Indiana/Ben Davis Artisans, Westside Pride Park, Westview Primary Care Centers, the Westside Special Needs Network of Speedway UMC, and more!
“Families dealing with special needs are some of the busiest people on earth, and accessing services can take a lot of time. We hope this fair will provide an easy way for parents and caregivers to gain very helpful information and contacts, while at the same time providing a fun time for the entire family,” says Beth DeHoff, chairperson of special needs ministries for Speedway United Methodist Church, who also has son with special needs.
The fair will have information applicable to individuals of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. For more information, contact the Westside Special Needs Network voice mail at 317-971-2619, email dehoff5@att.net, or visit www.speedway-umc.org/specialneeds .