DANVILLE, IN (March 12, 2026) –From physical barriers to overlooked challenges, accessibility affects how people experience local businesses, restaurants and attractions every day. Visit Hendricks County (VHC) aims to continue sparking meaningful improvements by strengthening the welcoming, inclusive spirit of our community at its first-ever CARE to Connect Accessibility Summit on April 9.
Local businesses, nonprofit leaders, community partners and anyone interested in making Hendricks County more accessible and inclusive are invited to attend from 9-11 a.m. at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex in Danville. The event will include a panel discussion with accessibility advocates who will share real experiences, highlight common barriers and discuss ways organizations can improve.
“This summit reflects our commitment to making Hendricks County a place where everyone can fully participate in and enjoy our community,” said Jaime Bohler Smith, Executive Director/CEO of Visit Hendricks County. “Accessibility isn’t just about compliance; it’s about working together to remove barriers and create experiences that are welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”
The CARE (Community Accessibility, Readiness & Education) to Connect program ties directly to Visit Hendricks County’s Destination Defined: Connecting the Community, Visitors & Residents strategic plan. Destination Defined directed VHC to invest in initiatives that support destination development. This includes identifying infrastructure and programming needs that everyone — regardless of ability — can fully experience Hendricks County.
Accessibility enhancements improve access not only for visitors but also for residents and Hendricks County’s other primary stakeholders. Accessibility is a foundational priority in the long-term vision for equitable, community-centered growth.
The Summit comes on the heels of the initiative’s first substantive phase earlier this month, in which trusted accessibility organization Wheel the World conducted accessibility assessments at nine local tourism-based businesses. Each business is now eligible for accessibility verification, usability improvements and market visibility.
Visit Hendricks County invested $12,500, which along with a $5,000 grant from the Hendricks County Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grant Program, paid for the first-year assessments.
The CARE to Connect Accessibility Summit is free to attend, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot or for more information, go to www.visithendrickscounty.com/care.
To review VHC’s full strategic plan, visit www.visithendrickscounty.com/partners/strategic-plan. To learn more about current accessibility resources in Hendricks County, go to www.visithendrickscounty.com/accessibility/.
