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

Learn more about the Ohio DD Council

Notice of Funds Available from the Ohio DD Council

Federal Legislative Advocacy Partnership

This project will coordinate a team of Ohioans with disabilities, family members, and professionals from collaborating organizations to travel to Washington DC to receive briefings on federal policy impacts on Ohio specifically and to meet with Congressional offices to report on Ohio-specific data. Individuals representing the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and other organizations will participate in a one-day session of briefings and will meet with their Congressional offices as a team.

This project will provide support for meeting-related expenses for all attendees. Meeting related expenses are to include cost of meeting space, equipment rental, and other costs associated with conducting training sessions.

Read the full text of the NOFA to learn about the intent and scope of the project and how to apply. A complete description of this project, known as the State Plan Language, is included as part of the NOFA on www.ddsuite.org.  

Applications for this project are due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, July 1, 2022. The project is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2022 and run until September 30, 2023. 

Inclusive Sports

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) issued a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) on Monday, April 25, 2022 for a new project opportunity, "Inclusive Sports." 

Students with disabilities experience significant barriers when attempting to access health and wellness activities.Typical barriers include:

• Individuals aiding individuals with disabilities lack awareness on how to involve them on teams.
• There are few opportunities and programs for training and competition for students with disabilities.
• Facilities are often not accessible.
• Information and services that promote health and wellness are not designed to consider the preferences and needs of youth with disabilities.  

To assist youth with disabilities to participate in sports in the way they want and with whom they want to participate, ODDC will support a project that will create and/or expand opportunities for youth with disabilities to participate in an inclusive sport program.  

Read the full text of the NOFA to learn about the intent and scope of the project and how to apply. A complete description of this project, known as the State Plan Language, is included as part of the NOFA on www.ddsuite.org.  

Applications for this project are due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, July 1, 2022. The project is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2022 and run until September 30, 2023. 

Public Policy Research Grants

The Data and Policy Research Grant is established to support the collection and analysis of data that will provide Council, advocates and policymakers with objective research and findings that promote systemic change and capacity building to improve services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Issue items for each study conducted under this grant, including parameters and scope, will be identified by Council Issue Committees and communicated to the grantee by Council’s Public Policy Committee. Studies and analyses sought by Council may include, but not be limited to, Employment, Housing, Waivers, Transportation, Education, Higher Education, Health, and Community Supports.

Read the full text of the NOFA to learn about the intent and scope of the project and how to apply. A complete description of this project, known as the State Plan Language, is included as part of the NOFA on www.ddsuite.org.  

Applications for this project are due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, July 1, 2022. The project is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2022 and run until September 30, 2023. 

Advocating for IEPs

Mother-and-son duo, Jackie and Justin Martin, join host Nathan Turner in the latest Ohio DD Talks podcast to speak about advocating for IEPs and what parents need to know. Learn from the Martins experiences and advice!

Ohio DD Talks is a web series featuring stories and conversations of Ohioans with disabilities. Tune in each month for the newest episode on any of the channels listed below. You can also sign-up to receive an email notification when a new episode is available.