Disability Conference to Draw Hundreds to Indy
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOrganizers of a national conference focusing on a rare bone disorder say a three-day August event could bring 800 participants to Indianapolis. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation's biennial gathering will focus on the illness that affects 50,000 Americans. May 12, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – As National Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Awareness Week continues across the country, Indianapolis is preparing to host nearly 800 members of the OI community this summer.
OI is a rare genetic bone disorder affecting 50,000 Americans and is characterized by fragile bones that break easily. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, the only voluntary national health organization that advocates for and provides support to people living with OI, has selected Indianapolis as the location for its biennial national conference which runs from August 1-3 at the JW Marriott.
Indianapolis has been recognized by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) as a model for its focus on disability issues and successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for citizens and visitors who have disabilities. It was this recognition and reputation that helped draw the conference to the city.
“Generations of city leaders have made improving accessibility a key priority, which has resulted in significant enhancements to our overall physical infrastructure,” said Greg Fehribach, with The Fehribach Group, and a 2007 recipient of the Foundation's Unbreakable Spirit award. “From the Super Bowl to the OI annual conference, people with disabilities can fully participate in all that our city has to offer. I am thrilled to welcome the OI Foundation to Indianapolis and honored they selected Indianapolis as the host site for their national conference.”
The conference will kick off with the National Unbreakable Spirit Walk-n-Wheel for OI on July 31 along the downtown Canal Walk. More than 130 teams have already signed up to participate in the event that raises awareness and funds to improve the quality of life for people who live with OI.
Over the course of three days attendees will participate in informational sessions, free medical consultations, and social activities. To learn more about the conference, or to register for the Walk-n-Wheel, please visit www.oif.org.
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