Ohio Association of County Boards of DD

03/04/2026

Hundreds of advocates gathered at the Ohio Statehouse today for Developmental Disabilities Awareness and Advocacy Day! 👏

It was great to see county board staff, board members, and people served by county boards from across Ohio come together to celebrate inclusion and advocate for strong supports and opportunities.

Thank you to Governor Mike DeWine, DODD Director Lyndsay Nash, and the many legislators who joined the event and took time to connect with advocates. Your continued support for Ohioans with developmental disabilities makes a difference!

Thanks also to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for hosting another great event!

03/02/2026

Congratulations to the 15 advocates from across Ohio selected for this year’s People First of Ohio advocacy training! Grant Isaacs, Ishika Sharma, and Jacob Smith of Warren County, supported by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities, are among this year’s participants. Over the next three months, these emerging leaders, along with peers from across the state, will strengthen their skills in advocacy, legislation, community organizing, employment, and board service. Programs like People First continue to build strong advocate leaders who are advancing inclusion and opportunity in communities throughout Ohio.

Read more below:

Only 15 people from across the state of Ohio were chosen to take part in a special People First advocacy training this year. Three of the selected advocates are from Warren County.

02/27/2026

Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities' Phill Kirk, who also serves as an OACB Trustee, recently took to the airwaves at KOOL 101.7 FM to record new content ahead of DD Awareness Month! Great work by Phill, Anna Jeffries, Hannah Tucker, and Project SEARCH intern Lance Welsh for helping share the story of people with developmental disabilities and the importance of Direct Support Professionals in their community. Thank you for helping raise awareness across Ohio!

02/26/2026

Hope Cottage in Cincinnati will soon provide affordable, community-based housing for four people with developmental disabilities, but it also shines a light on a much bigger, urgent need. Across Ohio, thousands of people with developmental disabilities have a caregiver over age 60. As parents and caregivers age, families are facing a very real “ticking time” question: What happens next?

At the same time, 79% of people with developmental disabilities want to live independently — yet limited income and a shortage of affordable, accessible housing make that dream out of reach for far too many. Hope Cottage is more than housing. It’s belonging. It’s stability. It’s planning ahead. And we need more of it.

Read more below:

Hope Cottage will soon be home to four people with developmental disabilities through a partnership between St. John's Church, EmpowerMe Living and several others.

02/20/2026

Cuyahoga County has added two new voices to its developmental disabilities board, including one who brings lived experience. Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently welcomed Dennis Roberts and Derek Topola! Topola’s appointment means Cuyahoga DD is now the largest county board in Ohio with two members who receive services, strengthening representation at the leadership table.

Across Ohio, the momentum continues: 76 counties now have a person with developmental disabilities serving on their county board! Representation matters. Lived experience strengthens policy, sharpens decision-making, and ensures services reflect the voices of the people they support.

Read more about the Cuyahoga DD appointments here: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cuyahoga-county-board-of-dd-announces-two-new-board-members-302686803.html

02/19/2026

Amelia’s ASL lessons at her local day program give her purpose, connection, and a chance to lead. That opportunity exists because of local property tax funding for developmental disabilities services.

In May, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities, along with 11 other Ohio county boards of DD, will ask voters to consider DD levies that fund services close to home. These locally approved tax dollars support safety, meaningful daytime activities, employment, and stability for thousands of Ohioans. Public funding is what makes it possible for people with developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose in their communities.

Learn more here:

The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities declared a state of fiscal emergency in September, projecting that expenses will far exceed local tax collections in the first quarter of 2027.

02/18/2026

A team from the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities spent time with students in grades 3–6 for a hands-on learning experience focused on disabilities, differences, kindness, and acceptance.

Through interactive stations exploring topics such as autism, ADHD/sensory overload, dyslexia, blindness/visual impairments, mobility disabilities, and communication differences, students gained new insight and built empathy. Experiences like this help build more inclusive communities for everyone!

Read more here: https://mycountylink.com/celebrating-disability-days-2026-at-tri-village-local-schools/

See more photos on the Darke DD page: https://www.facebook.com/DarkeDD

02/13/2026

Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities member and OACB Trustee Marci Straughter marked another milestone today with a visit to the Governor’s Residence for a Black History Month celebration.

Marci had the opportunity to speak with Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine and connect with leaders from across Ohio. An experienced self-advocate, Marci is the first person with developmental disabilities to serve on the Franklin County board, and she continues to lead with courage, visibility, and purpose. We’re proud to have her voice and leadership at the table at both the county and state levels!

02/04/2026

New DODD Podcast! Host Nate Turner sits down with Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Staff Lieutenant Nathan Dennis to discuss how Keith’s Law and the Blue Envelope Program are making traffic stops safer and more supportive for the disability community. From discreet 9-1-1 alerts to visible decals and prepared documentation, learn how these tools promote safety, dignity, and clear communication on the road.

Tune in now and share with someone who could benefit!

This is "Keith's Law and Blue Envelope Program - Ohio DODD Podcast - Season 4: Episode 1" by Ohio DODD on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos…

01/29/2026

Congrats to Michael Yeamans, Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities advocate and member of Voices Speaking Out, on becoming an Ohio Tech Ambassador!

Michael shares how assistive technology, like AI tools, smart devices, and wheelchairs, can help people with developmental disabilities live more independently.

Watch his interview here: https://warrencountypost.com/g/lebanon-oh/n/358463/warren-county-advocate-newest-ohio-tech-ambassador

01/21/2026

Advocates Sean and Ruben are helping build safer, more understanding interactions between law enforcement and people with communication disabilities in Seneca County! During a recent visit to the Fostoria Police Division, they shared information about Keith’s Law and the Blue Envelope Program—two important tools that support clearer communication and safer encounters. Thanks to the Seneca County Board of DD-Seneca County Opportunity Center for sharing this story!

Read more and get the link to download the new Communication Disability Form here:

(From the Seneca County Board of DD-Seneca County Opportunity Center) Advocates Sean and Ruben visited the Fostoria Police Division to share information about Keith's Law and the Blue Envelope Program. A huge thank you to Chief Wedge and Captain Reinbolt for taking the time to meet with us! Ohio rec...

01/15/2026

Local funding matters. A new report highlights how levy failures for Lawrence County DD, Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Perry County Board of Developmental Disabilities are putting critical developmental disabilities services at risk—from Early Intervention for young children to essential supports that keep people safe in their homes and communities. County Boards of DD rely heavily on local levies to meet state- and federally mandated responsibilities, and without them, families and people served face real consequences. This story is a powerful reminder that local investment directly impacts access, inclusion, and quality of life across Ohio.

Read more here:

Today, the boards are responsible for developmental disabilities services mandated under state and federal law.