02/01/2025
Congratulations, Sara!
Last night, the Cuyahoga County Council unanimously confirmed Sara Steimle’s appointment to the Board of the Cuyahoga DD.
Ms. Steimle is the first Cuyahoga DD Board member who also receives services from Cuyahoga DD. She was born with Cerebral Palsy.
“I am excited to serve the disability community in this way. My perspective is unique, because not only do I receive services due to my disability, but professionally I serve people with disabilities.” Ms. Steimle said. “So, I am familiar with both providing services and the services that are provided to me personally.”
In the spirit of “nothing about us without us,” Ohio Revised Code Section 5126.021 was changed in 2023 to ensure that people with disabilities have a voice on County Boards of DD. Beginning July 1, 2025, all County Boards of DD in Ohio are to appoint “at least one individual with developmental disabilities.” (ORC Section 5126.021)
“People with disabilities should be represented on boards that make decisions about things that affect them. We are very excited to welcome Sara to our Board,” said Cuyahoga DD Superintendent and CEO Dr. Amber C. Gibbs. “Her professional experience and her demonstrated commitment to the disability community will make her an asset to the Board. Sara has already made significant contributions to Cuyahoga DD through her membership on our Leadership Council. I look forward to the many ways she will continue to contribute to our agency in this new role.”
Prior to her Board appointment, Ms. Steimle was a founding member of the Cuyahoga DD Leadership Council, which consists of five members with developmental disabilities. Its mission is “to modify and improve as well as ease access to services, facilities, and programs being provided by the county board for people with developmental disabilities.”
Ms. Steimle looks forward to serving Cuyahoga DD in this manner. “I think it is important for someone served by Cuyahoga DD to sit on the Board, because it is important for all voices to be heard,” Ms. Steimle said, “especially when what is being discussed has a direct effect on them and the other individuals being served.”
Sara Steimle graduated from Wright State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services. She interned during high school and college at agencies serving people with disabilities.
After graduating from Wright State University, Ms. Steimle worked at a County Board provider agency, where she planned activities and helped people with disabilities learn work skills.
Ms. Steimle is currently the Alumni Program Coordinator at Youth Challenge. She creates and leads programs for alumni participants and volunteers, manages the alumni social media account, assists with disability-awareness presentations in the community, and is the program liaison to their young professionals group. She also represents the Youth Challenge on the Northeast Ohio Coalition of Disability Organizations.
Outside of her work at Youth Challenge, Ms. Steimle serves on the Cuyahoga County Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities. She is also the chair of their Disabilities/Mental Health Subcommittee and their Inclusive Healthcare Subcommittee.
Image description: Sara smiling, wearing a black and white sweater.
