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Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

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Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council

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.

12/19/2025

ODDC is accepting applications for new Community Ambassadors!

Are you interested in sharing your voice and making a difference in your community? The ODDC Community Ambassador Program highlights self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from across Ohio.

As an Ambassador, you’ll share stories from your local I/DD community — including challenges, successes, and the positive changes helping make your town more inclusive for everyone.

Visit this link to tell us more about you and your interest in becoming a Community Ambassador: https://forms.gle/bkePsH7aiPBrsbTy8

Learn more about the program and our previous Community Ambassadors here: https://bit.ly/ODDC_Ambassador

12/17/2025

Did you know that ODDC has a podcast? It's called DD Talks, and we want to hear from YOU!

ODDC is collecting stories to highlight on our podcast next season and would like to hear yours. You might even be invited to appear on the series!

Interested? Complete a short online form here: https://bit.ly/3GVqz7S

12/15/2025

From ODDC Community Ambassador Alicia Hopkins:
How AAC Has Helped Me Make Decisions and Advocate in Supported Decision-Making

Alicia explores how Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Supported Decision Making (SDM) give her control over her own choices and advocacy. With her SDM team and AAC tools, like picture exchange cards (PECs), she remains the ultimate decision-maker, even with autism and other complex disabilities like dystonia. Her writing shows that when people have the right tools, they can make informed decisions and improve their health and everyday life.

Read more and find Alicia's full blog post here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ou5bpq4/AliciaHopkins

12/09/2025

Ohio DD Council Seeks Public Input on Draft 5-Year Plan on Developmental Disabilities

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council has approved a draft 5-Year Plan on Developmental Disabilities at their October meeting. The Council now seeks public feedback on the Goals and Objectives the Council has created for 2027-2031. Additionally, the Council is proposing to provide funding for 19 different grant projects. Each of the proposed projects, along with goals and objectives, can be found at this link: https://ddc.ohio.gov/projects-and-grants/five-year-state-plan/five-year-state-plan

The Council began working on the draft plan in 2024 when it published a public survey seeking input on the needs in Ohio. More than 1,000 survey responses were received from Ohioans with developmental disabilities, family members and system stakeholders. Starting in early 2025, Council began evaluating the needs identified by Ohioans in the survey and developing goals and objectives to address those needs.

Now, the Council seeks feedback on the plan it has created. Anyone can submit comments or feedback on the draft plan by submitting a completed survey. Surveys can be found by this link: https://form.jotform.com/253015784369060

The deadline for all surveys is Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

12/05/2025

From ODDC Community Ambassador Alicia Hopkins:
Speaking with State Senator Casey Weinstein

Senator Weinstein plans to file a bill to ensure that all Ohioans have a voice by requiring insurance to cover Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

Alicia shared her perspective as someone who relies on AAC, and connected the bill (to be titled The Right to Communicate Bill) to current initiatives, such as Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and Technology First.

Senator Weinstein valued her input and invited her to testify on the bill, recognizing how important her expertise and lived experience are to policy discussions.

Read more and listen to Alicia's interview with Weinstein here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ou5bpq4/AliciaHopkins

12/04/2025

In case you missed it, our November newsletter is now available!

Read it here: https://bit.ly/4g5ZRqc

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.

Want to be the first to know when our next newsletter is posted? Sign up here: bit.ly/3XmxCMk

11/28/2025

People with developmental disabilities (DD) in rural areas of Ohio often face more barriers to services, supports, and community inclusion than those in urban areas. To better understand these challenges, the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) partnered with to study accessibility and quality of life for individuals with DD in rural communities.

Data was collected from 190 people across Ohio through surveys and small group discussions, and shared during the October Council meeting. Read about the concerns of rural communities as well as proposed solutions here: https://ddc.ohio.gov/media-and-news/dd-council-connection/

11/26/2025

ODDC Community Ambassador Alicia used interviews to show how access to communication tools shapes advocacy, independence, and decision-making.

She is aware that even in disability advocacy spaces, many people don't know much about AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) or how important it is for inclusion.

Small changes, like giving people more time to respond, adding alt-text to images, and respecting people regardless of how they communicate, can bring more people into advocacy conversations.

Learn more about Alicia and listen to her interview with fellow advocates regarding alternate forms of communication here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ou5bpq4/AliciaHopkins

11/21/2025

Speaking Is a Privilege: Dystonia Awareness and AAC Advocacy in the Disability Community in Ohio

ODDC Community Ambassador Alicia (Audacity2Speak) shares her experiences and resources through her blog, "The Pulse", on her media website Ohio Advocacy Heartbeat.

During her time as a Community Ambassador, Alicia wrote about living with dystonia, a condition that causes involuntary muscle movements and can make speaking difficult. Many people with dystonia rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AAC) part-time, and when they are in situations that don't allow extra time for them to speak, they can be left out of the conversation. Alicia educates her readers on how AAC devices work, and that a pause in communication doesn't mean the speaker isn't engaged.

"Everyone deserves respect and to be listened to, regardless of communication method."

Learn more about Alicia and read her blog post about dystonia awareness month here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ou5bpq4/AliciaHopkins

Address

1810 Sullivant Avenue
Columbus, OH
43222

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://ddc.ohio.gov/

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Our Mission

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.