Creating change to improve independence and inclusion for Ohioans with developmental disabilities. We provide this information as a public service.
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) is a planning and advocacy body committed to community inclusion for people with disabilities. ODDC is funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Public Law 106-402. ODDC is a partner within the Ohio DD Network which includes Ohio's Protection & Advocacy System (Disability Rights Ohio) and Ohio's two University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities: The Nisonger Center of The Ohio State University and the Cincinnati Children's Medical Center of the University of Cincinnati. The Ohio DD Council uses its page to provide information about the Council. The Ohio DD Council also to share news from other organizations. Please note that the Ohio DD Council does not endorse nor guarantee the information provided from other organizations.
04/03/2026
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is trying out an online group therapy to help with anxiety.
The group is 10 weeks long. This therapy is for adults (18 years and older) who have intellectual disabilities and often feel worried or stressed.
A support person, like a parent or caregiver, needs to join the sessions to help you during the study.
If you are picked to join and finish the study, you could get up to $450. Your support person could also get up to $450.
Featured articles:
- ODDC Welcomes New Council Members
- Pathways to Progress and Independence in Southeastern Ohio
- Ohio DD Talks: Building Belonging at the Inclusion Seekers Summit
- Council Members Attend Governor’s Black History Month Reception
- Paid Opportunity to Share Your SSI/SSDI Experience!
- Save the Date: TechSummit 2026
DD Council Connection is a way for the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council to introduce to you our Council members, provide updates on the work we do and the grant projects we manage, and inform you on the activities and initiatives of Ohio's community of advocates and others who work on behalf of people with disabilities and their families.
03/30/2026
Paid Opportunity to Share Your SSI/SSDI Experience!
The SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) program wants to hear your opinion.
What do you find challenging when applying for SSI/SSDI?
Your feedback will help improve Social Security providers across Ohio.
There are two ways to provide your input, and you will be paid for your participation!
Interview: Share your experiences during a one-hour interview. If interested, send an email to SOAROhio@cohhio.org or call (614) 280-1984 ext. 154. You will be paid $50.
SOAR will use the information gathered to help people with developmental disabilities to:
- Get information that is clear and useful,
- Understand and use Social Security benefits, and
- Share ideas about how SOAR Ohio can help.
SOAR Ohio is a program of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHO) with funding support from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. SOAR Ohio provides training, tools, and technical assistance to help people understand the application process.
03/26/2026
Thank you to LMK Advocacy for facilitating another important discussion for legislative staff. This briefing focused on transportation access for people with disabilities.
Staff heard diverse perspectives and insight from three panelists:
Chuck Dyer, Administrator, Ohio Department of Transportation
Alicia Hopkins, Self-Advocate
Kari Smith, Superintendent, Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities
These briefings help our legislative staff by providing the knowledge and context needed to make informed decisions.
03/25/2026
ODDC is dedicated to ensuring Ohioans with disabilities have the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their families.
From special education training to leadership mentoring, we are investing in the next generation of advocates.
Learn more about these educational initiatives in our latest Impact Report:
- Special Education Training: Short, on-demand sessions available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
- WrightChoice Mentoring: Preparing college students for career success after graduation.
- Legislative Briefings: Hands-on sessions to help state officials understand the Deaf-Blind community.
Council members Jennifer Kucera (Chair) and Javon Brown (Secretary) were recently interviewed by Andrea Robinson for NBC4. The segment highlights Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) and job placement for those with developmental disabilities.
“[Having a job] gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of drive, something to strive for every day, a sense of accomplishment, pride in yourself,” said Jennifer Kucera, chair of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council.
Thank you to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Gahanna/John E. Bickley YMCA, NBC4, and Andrea Robinson NBC4 for helping to raise awareness of DDAM and the numerous benefits of competitive employment.
The Ohio DD Council’s work is driven by public input!
To plan for the future, the Council gathered feedback from people with disabilities, family members, and stakeholders across 84 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
More than 1,000 surveys were submitted to help determine the goals for the next Five-Year State Plan!
Our 2023-2025 Impact Report highlights how this feedback turns into action through initiatives like:
- Gathering Input: Over 1,088 surveys collected to shape the 2027-2031 State Plan.
- Rural Outreach: Identifying transportation and housing gaps in rural Ohio.
- LGBTQ+ Research: Studying the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people with I/DD.
ODDC is launching an ongoing series called Member-Driven, Mission-Focused.
Over the next few months, we will share information about the Council: how it works, the responsibilities of its governor-appointed members, oversight of the Council activities, and more.
This month, read our newsletter to learn:
- What Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils are and what they do
- Why DD Councils were created and why they are important
- How Councils are led by people with lived experience
In this episode of Ohio DD Talks, host Shari Cooper sits down with Jan Goings, Director, Strategy & Partnerships of Starfire and Inclusion Seekers, and the Cail family—Grace, her father Jeff, and her mother Kathleen—to discuss the inaugural Inclusion Seekers Summit held in October 2025 at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Organized by Starfire with support from the Ohio DD Council and Interact for Health, the Summit drew over 250 attendees from 17 states and 80+ organizations to address loneliness and build genuine belonging in communities across Ohio and beyond.
Grace's story is at the heart of this episode. A docent and researcher at the Museum Center, advocate, and passionate fan of Sabrina Carpenter, Grace shares what it meant to be at an event where people asked about her interests, not her disability. Her family reflects on what it truly takes to build a full, connected life.
In this episode of Ohio DD Talks, host Shari Cooper sits down with Jan Goings, executive director of Starfire, and the Cail family—Grace, her father Jeff, an...
03/13/2026
Save the Date: TechSummit 2026
Date: September 18, 2026
Venue: The Conference Center at OCLC
Location: Dublin, OH
TechSummit is back! This annual one-day conference focuses on technology use that benefits people with developmental disabilities.
TechSummit 2026 is conveniently held in Central Ohio and is presented by:
- The Ohio State University Nisonger Center
- Assistive Technology of Ohio
- Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
Event attendees can hear from people with lived experience, engage with experts, and explore technology solutions for themselves.
Don’t miss out! We encourage you to mark your calendars and share this with a friend!
For the most up-to-date information, visit this link: go.osu.edu/TechSummit
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) is recognizing several members whose five-year terms are ending, including Courtney Hineman.
Courtney is a self-advocate and leader with strong connections in Ohio’s developmental disability community.
In our most recent newsletter, Courtney reflected on her advocacy path, her time on the Council, and what she’s learned along the way.
“If your county has a self-advocacy group, get involved there first. And then, if you want to continue growing your advocacy skills, apply to become a member of the Ohio DD Council. Serving on the Council helped me gain more skills and get connected. I met more advocates across Ohio and developed friendships I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”
Connect with us this coming April at the Assistive Technology Fair and Big Read Author Visit.
ODDC will have a table at the event; stop by to say hello, introduce yourself, and learn more about the Council and how you can get involved.
We'll share more information about this community event soon. We can't wait to see you there!
Event: Assistive Technology Fair & The Big Read Author Visit
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Location: 7450 Championship Drive West, Perrysburg (Owens Community College)
Hosts: Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Owens Community College
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The Ohio DD Council is one of a national network of state councils, committed to self-determination and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
The Ohio DD Council has over 30 members. Sixty percent represent people with developmental disabilities, and parents and guardians of people with developmental disabilities who are appointed by the Governor. The remaining members include representatives from state agencies, non-profit organizations and agencies providing services to people with developmental disabilities. Professional staff support the Council's members and committees and handle day-to-day operations, administration, planning, advocacy, and project monitoring.
The Ohio DD Council identifies issues experienced by people with disabilities and creates specific grant proposals to address these needs. When grants are available, the Ohio DD Council will announce it so that anyone may apply for the grant.
The Ohio DD Council operates under the authority of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities assists the Ohio DD Council as the federally mandated designated state agency.
