The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council is made up of over 30 members, with the majority being individuals with developmental disabilities, and parents and guardians of people with developmental disabilities who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio. By the direction of our members, the Ohio DD Council funds grant projects that aim to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities with an emphasis on self-determination, diversity and inclusion. Through our work, the Council aims to:

• Advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
• Initiate programs that enrich their lives.
• Demonstrate a consistent commitment to our mission.
• Educate about disability rights and the importance of self-determination.
• Encourage diversity and inclusion through our membership and activities.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life.

Council Meetings

The Ohio DD Council members meet throughout the year. Our next meeting will be on Friday, February 5, 2021. For more information, see the Council Meeting Schedule.

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Your Opinion Matters!

Now is the time to give us your input on our draft Five-Year State Plan by completing a Public Input Survey. 

In 2019, DD Council took the first step in this process to identify problems or needs by surveying people like you. DD Council reviewed the results and drafted the 2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan on Developmental Disabilities. Now we need your help in reviewing our proposed projects and provided feedback. Public comments will be accepted through February 28, 2021. 

Click here to give us your input!

 

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Press Release from the Ohio DD Council

Ohio DD Council Seeks Public Comment on 2022-2026 Five Year State Plan

January 6, 2021 (Ohio) — The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is seeking public comment on its Five-Year State Plan that will take effect from 2022-2026.

Based on survey results collected about the problems or needs of Ohioans with developmental disabilities, the Ohio DD Council drafted the 2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan. The State Plan lists the projects that the Council plans to fund to address the needs identified by people with disabilities, families and stakeholders across the state.

The DD Council is seeking public comment on proposed in the following areas:

• Children and Health
• Community Living
• Employment
• Leadership Development
• Outreach
• Public Awareness
• Public Policy

Here's how you can submit your comments:

• Review the draft Five-Year Plan by reading the Executive Summary of the projects; reading the entire 2022-2026 State Plan; or reviewing specific project(s) that interest you.
• You can submit your comments on all projects or the ones that are of interest to you.

The comment period will end on February 28, 2021.

Review and provide your feedback on the Five Year Plan here: https://ddc.ohio.gov/state-plan-comments.

The Council's Five-Year State Plan is a strategic plan that will drive the Council’s mission to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life.

The State Plan, agreed upon by its Governor-appointed council members, will help in developing specific grant proposals toward relevant projects across Ohio that will positively impact people with developmental disabilities, family members and guardians and other stakeholders.

For more information, please contact Fatica Ayers at fatica.ayers@dodd.ohio.gov or call 614-466-5205 or 800-766-7426. 

PDF version of Press Release

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Council in the News

"In Focus" Highlights DD Council in a Video Interview

December 27, 2020: The year 2020 was the 30th anniversity of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Mike Kallmeyer of the Spectrum News program, In Focus, interviewed  Executive Director Carolyn Knight about how the Ohio DD Council works to achieve the goals of the ADA. This short video provides a great overview of who Council is and what we do.

View the interview here: Americans with Disabilities Act Celebrates 30 Years 

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Council in the News

Ohio Disability Blog features DD Council's Executive Director, Carolyn Knight

December 21, 2020: The Ohio DD Council's executive director, Carolyn Knight, was recently interviewed for the Ohio Disability Blog. The three-part interview was done by Bill Darling, director of Assistive Technology of Ohio (AT Ohio) in the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University. Darling is also a former member and past chairperson of the Ohio DD Council.

During the video interviews, Knight shares information about the Ohio DD Council's mission, vision and work: 

• Part 1: What is the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council?
• Part 2: Turning Innovative Ideas Into Disability Grants
• Part 3: Collaboration and Action are the Keys to Success

The Ohio Disability Blog is a new venture of AT Ohio. "We aim to become Ohio's online home for disability-related content," said Darling. "We will be covering timely topics that affect Ohioans with disabilities and keeping everyone up to date on the latest developments in the field of assistive technology." The blog features interviews with Ohio's disability leaders on important projects and initiatives that affect the disability community.  

Be sure to check out and subscribe to the Ohio Disability Blog.