From the CEO
There are many reasons to like musical artist Lizzo. She challenges the typical image of a celebrity. She loves who she is. She came to Fort Wayne’s Middle Waves festival a few years ago, before she was the breakout star that she is now, but that isn’t why she’s been in recent news.
Lizzo’s new song “Girrrls” used the word “spaz” in the lyrics. Disability advocates reached out to her with their feedback. This worked out great for two reasons.
First: Advocates stated matter-of-factly why this word offends them. One reminded her that “spastic” was a medical term that identified her type of cerebral palsy. They didn’t attack. They informed and shared that her word choice was ableist.
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| Scooters Everywhere
by: Joni Schmalzried
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I warn you in advance, in this month’s article I am going to get on my soapbox for a minute. I will climb down, I promise – but I need to get this out in the hopes that it will be heard.
I recently went on a site visit downtown. As I drove down Jefferson Blvd., it became apparent that if I was a wheelchair user or someone with a visual impairment, walking down the sidewalk would be treacherous. I counted 6 scooters parked in the middle of the sidewalk in a 4-5 block area. And because it raised my blood pressure, I proceeded to drive up and down several downtown streets. I am sorry to report that at that time of day (around 2:45pm), I saw 14 scooters parked blocking sidewalks.
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Gilmore Grant Opens in August
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Have you seen our new website?
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The Department of Planning Services is hosting public meetings to gain feedback from residents and businesses on the new All in Allen: Moving Forward Together plan. This plan guides the future of our city and county land use. There are five opportunities to let your voice be heard:
- Monday, June 27, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Grand Wayne Center's Calhoun Ballroom.
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Tuesday, June 28, at the following three locations:
- Noon to 1:30 p.m. at AWS Foundation (fully accessible), 5323 W Jefferson Blvd.
- 5:30 - 7 p.m. at McMillen Park Community Center, 3901 Abbott St.
- 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Junior Achievement, 550 E Wallen Rd.
- Wednesday, June 29, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Metea County Park Nature Center, 8401 Union Chapel Rd.
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5323 W Jefferson Blvd. | Fort Wayne, IN 46804 US
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