Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

04/29/2026

OODC Member Molly Dible, her mother Mary Dible, and Danielle Fischer were featured in an interview with WTOL 11 earlier this month.

Click the post below to hear about how they traveled from Hancock County to Washington, D.C., to meet lawmakers and advocate for continued federal funding for special education during the Disability Policy Seminar.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1At4ocF2my/

Molly Dible and her mother traveled from Hancock County to Washington, D.C., to meet lawmakers and advocate for continued federal funding for special education. https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/hancock-county-woman-advocates-for-disability-funding-in-washington-dc/512-83c3f889-eea9-42e1-9c03-340a243b4110

04/28/2026

Xenia! People of Greene County! What’s YOUR story?

Join us at the Xenia Community Center on Tuesday, May 26, for MY LIFE MY STORY — The Next Chapter, a free, full-day storytelling training workshop for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their allies. Not only will you learn how to tell your own story, but you’ll also be able to teach others how to share theirs!

To register, either:

1. Complete and submit the online application: https://form.jotform.com/260925256040048

2. Download the pdf and email or mail the application:https://files.constantcontact.com/f50613bf301/0317c280-4900-409c-9869-148df8870b05.pdf

04/27/2026

ODDC member Cassandra W. was recently a guest on the We Thrive Together Ohio podcast!

Listen to what Cassandra had to share about thriving with epilepsy:

Podcast Episode 3

04/24/2026

Athenians! Tell us a story.

Join us at the Athens Community Center on Wednesday, May 20, for MY LIFE MY STORY — The Next Chapter, a free, full-day storytelling training workshop for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their allies. Not only will you learn how to tell your own story, but you’ll also be able to teach others how to share theirs!

To register, either:

1. Complete and submit the online application: https://form.jotform.com/260925256040048

2. Download the pdf and email or mail the application:https://files.constantcontact.com/f50613bf301/0317c280-4900-409c-9869-148df8870b05.pdf

04/23/2026

¿Sabías que más de 250,000 estudiantes en Ohio reciben servicios de educación especial, pero muchas familias sienten que aún les falta el apoyo necesario para que sus hijos tengan éxito?

El programa Campeones de Educación Especial de Ohio, financiado por el Consejo de Discapacidades del Desarrollo de Ohio, te brinda las herramientas para cambiar esta situación.

Únete a nosotros en una capacitación impactante diseñada para empoderar a familias, cuidadores y profesionales con el conocimiento y las herramientas para desenvolverse con confianza en el proceso de educación especial.

Participa en una capacitación gratuita para:
- Defender tus derechos eficazmente
- Conocer tus derechos
- Comunicarte con las escuelas
- Acceder a recursos

Escucha a expertos y familias. Aprende cómo generar un cambio. Abierto a todos: familias, cuidadores y profesionales.

Comienza tu camino. Conviértete en un Campeón.

Capacitación en español:
Fecha: 29 de abril de 2026
Hora: 18:00-19:00
Lugar: Capacitación en línea
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K43L4aYKTmi8Z5tafh4ZIQ #/registration

¡Inscríbete hoy! Tu camino comienza aquí. Haz clic en el enlace para registrarte y conviértete en un defensor de la educación especial.

04/22/2026

We’re coming to Canton! It’s time to share your story.

Join us at Stark Library North Branch in Canton on Friday, May 15, for MY LIFE MY STORY — The Next Chapter, a free, full-day storytelling training workshop for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their allies. Not only will you learn how to tell your own story, but you’ll be able to empower others to do the same!

To register, either:

1. Complete and submit the online application: https://form.jotform.com/260925256040048

2. Download the pdf and email or mail the application:https://files.constantcontact.com/f50613bf301/0317c280-4900-409c-9869-148df8870b05.pdf

04/22/2026

ElevateDD in accepting applications for its next Voices Fellowship.

Voices Fellowship is a leadership development program for adults with developmental disabilities across Ohio who are interested in growing their advocacy skills and helping shape systems of support.

During the program (June 2026 - July 2027), fellows will participate in training on:
- Storytelling and public speaking.
- Community leadership and teamwork.
- Communicating effectively in planning and decision-making spaces.

Fellows will meet twice each month: One in Columbus and one virtual. Fellows will also visit the Ohio Statehouse twice to learn more about how decisions are made and how advocates can share their voices with policymakers.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping make Ohio better for people with developmental disabilities, we encourage you to apply.

For more details and to apply: https://www.elevatedd.org/elevateddvoicesfellowship

Candidates will be notified by Friday, May 1.

If you have questions or need support with the application process, please reach out to info@elevatedd.org or call 614-263-6020 ext. 1075.

ElevateDD Voices FellowshipPolicies and systems shape access to education, healthcare, employment, and community life. When people with lived experience are part of the conversation, policies are stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive to real needs.The ElevateDD Voices Advocacy Fellowship ...

04/17/2026

DeafBlind Culture Workshop – Toledo
April 30th, 2026, from 9:30am to 5:00pm
Location: Larc Lane Center Training Center (Door O), 1155 Larc Lane, Toledo
Cost: $20 cash or check (lunch included)

Would you like to learn more about the DeafBlind community FROM the DeafBlind community? Have you ever considered working with individuals with combined vision and hearing loss? This training is for you! This workshop is brought to you by Kent State University, NW Area Office on Aging, DODD of Lucas County, and Owens Community College.

A panel of DeafBlind individuals will lead small and large group discussions. Registration is required, and seats are limited! Registration is $20/person and lunch is included.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Sm-g5cQeAU2Pc-fdFfJhNPA3DT0iNVxCpUARQ6fNd1lURFdDWk1ESFA1Sk9COUhDWExBUVA3OEdGVC4u&origin=QRCode

04/16/2026

Governor Mike DeWine recently appointed five new ODDC members!

Learn a little about our new members below, and read more in our more recent newsletter: https://ddc.ohio.gov/media-and-news/dd-council-connection

Sarah Ackman - an attorney and a parent of three children, one with Down syndrome. With a background in law and advocacy, Ackman speaks up for families and works to improve supports for people with DD.

Allison Boot - a self-advocate, published author, and Independent Living Specialist at the Center for Independent Living Dayton. As a Council member, Boot wants to use storytelling to help others understand and support people with disabilities.

Guadalupe Bright - a first-generation Latina and a parent of children with autism and other developmental needs. With a background in public policy, Bright has experience with advocacy at both the local and state levels. She brings both policy expertise and lived experience to the Council.

Madge George - a self-advocate with a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice. George also brings lived experience navigating housing and Medicaid supports. On the Council, she will work to expand housing options and strengthen opportunities for people with DD.

Pandora Shaw-Dupras - a guardian for 20 years to two men with disabilities. Shaw-Dupras is the CEO of Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio with over 25 years of experience in the disability services field. On the Council, she looks forward to furthering her disability advocacy, with a focus on early childhood.

ODDC consists of at least 30 members appointed by the Governor, of which 60 percent are required to be people with developmental disabilities or parents or guardians. Other members include representatives from state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local agencies providing services to people with developmental disabilities.

Our monthly newsletter providing updates about Council and other news of interest to Ohioans with developmental disabilities.

04/15/2026

What’s your story?

Join ODDC as we host MY LIFE. MY STORY. — The Next Chapter, a free, two-part storytelling training workshop for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their allies. Not only will you learn how to tell your own story, but you’ll be able to teach others how to share theirs!

Workshops will be held on various days across Ohio at the following locations:

- Stark Library North Branch, Canton – Friday, May 15, 2026
- Athens Community Center, Athens – Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Xenia Community Center, Xenia – Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- Rhodes State College, Lima – Tuesday, June 9, 2026

A virtual follow-up session will be held on Monday, July 17, 2026.

To register, either:

1. Complete and submit the online application: https://form.jotform.com/260925256040048

2. Download the pdf and email or mail the application:https://files.constantcontact.com/f50613bf301/0317c280-4900-409c-9869-148df8870b05.pdf

04/14/2026

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council is seeking to hire a part-time Electronic Design Specialist. The deadline to apply is April 23, 2026.

An Electronic Design Specialist provides graphic design and visual communications services for the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council, and creates content for the Council's websites, publications, and social media channels to optimize public outreach and awareness.

Learn more and apply here: https://dasstateoh.taleo.net/careersection/oh_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=26000205&tz=GMT-04%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York

Know someone that would be perfect for this role? Please share this post to help us reach more people!

04/13/2026

Did you know that over 250,000 students in Ohio receive special education services—but many families feel they still lack the support they need to help their child succeed?

The Ohio Special Education Champions, a project funded by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, gives you the tools to change that.

Join us for an impactful training designed to empower families, caregivers, and professionals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the special education process with confidence.

Join a free training to:
- Advocate effectively
- Understand your rights
- Communicate with schools
- Access resources

Hear from experts & families and learn how to make change.

Open to all – families, caregivers, professionals.

Start your journey. Become a Champion.

English training:
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 6:00-7:00PM
Where: Online Training https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZA437T6wTUOqozAjWfzitQ #/registration

Spanish training:
Date: April 29, 2026
Time: 6:00-7:00PM
Where: Online Training
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K43L4aYKTmi8Z5tafh4ZIQ #/registration

Register Today ! Your journey starts here. Click the link to register and become a Special Education Champion.