Are you a parent of a child with autism or another disability? Would you like to help other families in your community with your lived experience?
We are hiring a part-time (10 hours per week) Family Support Specialist (FSS) in Mahoning County to serve as a peer mentor, providing guidance and helping other families with young children (birth through age 5) connect with and access early identification services.
The FSS must have excellent communication skills, an empathetic attitude to helping families facing developmental concerns, and must live in the local community in which they are hired.
📚 From the Teaching Diverse Learners Center this week...
Every learner deserves access to both communication or language access and literacy as a part of accessing the general education curriculum. The Teaching Diverse Learners Center at OCALI shares resources to ensure that ALL students can actively participate in their homes, schools and communities with their families and peers.
✅ How-To Tips and Strategies Video Gallery – Practical strategies for diverse learners.
✅ Ensuring Access to the General Education Curriculum – Tools to support meaningful participation.
Check out the PBIS and Young Learners module series from OCALI's Center for the Young Child! Learn more about how to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in early childhood settings. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, caregiver, family member, or community member, you can learn about developing teams and using PBIS today: https://cycsuite.org/the-pbis-and-young-learners-series
07/24/2025
Hello, summer! ☀️ Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to explore new learning opportunities with OCALI. From autism and literacy to early childhood, transition, and more, discover hundreds of free resources to support your work:
Save the date! Service providers, educators, and professionals are invited to attend the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) 2-hour webinars this August. Learn how to access and navigate the materials on the Ohio Employment First site and explore features of the curriculum. Complete the survey after this training for a certificate of attendance. This training is pre-approved for 2 hours of Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for County Board Members and Service and Support Administration.
Choose from four webinar options (August 6, 7, 12, and 15) to attend. Reserve your spot today:
Interested in becoming a teacher of the deaf (TOD) or Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)? Watch the video about becoming a teacher and explore accredited college/university preparation programs. https://deafandblindoutreach.org/college-and-university-programs
07/24/2025
The Ohio State Fair is here, and so is the Sensory Friendly Morning! Enjoy:
-Rides without flashing lights or loud music
-Sensory-friendly and educational activities
-Quiet spaces to take a break
-Tools like wait cards and social narratives
Did you know? Students with disabilities who receive assistance from 3 to 6 community-based agencies are more likely to be engaged in post-school employment or education.
If you are a transition professional, start your own Multi-Agency Planning (MAP) team today! Together, you can develop a common goal with clear processes that promote cross agency, cross program, and cross disciplinary collaborative efforts. Learn more about creating a collaborative team to support transition students with the Ohio MAP Tool. https://ohiomaptool.org/
Are you unsure IF your student or child needs assistive technology or accessible formats? The AT Decision-Making Tool (ATDMT) is for you! The ATDMT provides guidance to the educational team in considering the need for assistive technology (AT) and accessible educational materials (AEM) for their students. Watch the new overview video or complete the fillable PDF. Stay tuned for more professional development opportunities next school year! https://ataem.org/at-consideration
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OCALI inspires change through public policy and developing and deploying best practices - linking research to real life - so that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives.
This is an intentional and inclusive space. We are committed to recognizing and celebrating the diverse experiences of people with disabilities, families, and professionals. The following guidelines have been developed to ensure that our online community aligns with the core vision, mission, and values of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI).
We welcome disabled people, families, and professionals working toward increased accessibility, acceptance, and empowerment -- with focus on supporting underserved, under-resourced, and multiply-marginalized populations.
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Within this space Identity First Language (e.g. “autistic person”, “disabled people”, “d/Deaf culture”) and/or People-First Language (e.g. “person with Down Syndrome,” “people with disabilities”) may be used interchangeably.
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