Upcoming things to sign up to get involved with or make your voice heard thru surveys and public comment!

• Medicaid Waivers Posted for Public Comment
  Attention: Providers, Self-Advocates, Families 
  The SELF (Self Empowered Life Funding) waiver renewal and the Level 1 and Individual Options waiver amendments proposed for adoption on July 1, 2025, are a result of stakeholder engagement between the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), people receiving services and families, advocates, and associations. DODD is seeking your input on these amendments; summary documents, the proposed amendments, and information on how to submit your comments can be found at: 
   
  https://dodd.ohio.gov/waivers-and-services/Waiver+Amendments/Waiver+Amendments+2025 
   
  As part of the waiver amendment process, the public can comment on the proposed amendments. The public comment period is March 4, 2025, to April 3, 2025. Comments must be received by midnight on April 3, 2025.
• Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the Regional Transportation Public Input Survey. Your feedback and input is valuable and important. This survey will help identify the transportation needs and barriers you face every day within your county and across county lines. Access to jobs, medical care and every day essentials continues to be a struggle for many people across Ohio. Your feedback will help address how we work toward filling those gaps and unmet needs.
  RCRPC is charged with developing a Regional Coordinated Transportation Plan for Region 5, an 8 county region that includes; Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland and Seneca county. The Regional Coordinated Plan will focus on increasing transportation efficiency, coordination and collaboration from county to county. If you live, work or travel in/to/from any of these counties, use public transportation or work with individuals who use public transportation, we want your feedback!
  To access this survey, please click the link below. The survey will remain open until April 1. Please share!
  https://forms.gle/gFYZRZ5Cpx8KD6ct8
• The Breaking Silences Advocacy Committee created a survey to understand the experiences and get personal stories of people with disabilities who have accessibility issues with online meetings. The goal is to use the stories to create a training program for businesses to help make meetings more accessible for everyone. All responses will be anonymous and no one outside of the Breaking Silences Training Materials Workgroup will see the results. Please fill out form linked here .
• Sign up to be part of Worlds Longest Virtual Aktion Club through We Thrive Together https://wethrivetogether.org/aktion-club/?gf_protect_submission
• We Thrive Together a virtual social club is offering a coloring contest here is the link to learn more.
• Northeast Ohio Medical University is looking for people with disabilities to participate research study on gynecology services and how to improve them. If interested please click link here.
• Ohio Department of Transportation ATTN: We are now accepting public comments on the draft 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Draft STIP is available for review and comment online from March 11 to April 11. Help improve Ohio and let your voice be heard today!
  https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/programs/stip/26-29

Events around Ohio to check out week of March 17th 2025 to March 22nd 2025

Monday March 17th 2025

• Happy St Patrick’s Day
• Assistive Technology Resource Fair in Lancaster, Ohio hosted by Fairfield County DD. 10:00am- 2:00pm
• Disability Rights Ohio Legal Clinic for parents of children with disabilities. The topic is- Attendance, Truancy, and Discipline: What Parents Need to Know.
  You can learn more and register to attend at lawyers4students.com/legalclinic
• Charting the Life Course 1 page Learning Event with Self Advocates 12-1pm register through this link provided.
• Wellness Managing Stress Workshop on We Thrive Together from 11:00am-12:00pm
• Relationships Group: Courage on We Thrive Together from 3:00-4:00pm
• Virtual Training: Creating and Signing into Accounts on We Thrive Together from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm

Tuesday March 18th 2025

• What is Occupational Therapy? 10:30am in Jackson County Senior Center in Jackson, Ohio hosted by AAA7
• Tech Talk: Wood County Board of DD Assistive Tech for Elopement on We Thrive Together from 11:00am to 12:00 pm
• Family University Blind/Visually Impaired/DeafBlind Zoom Meeting on March 18 at 6:30 to 7:30pm
  Join us as we learn from Rachel Schulz, a member of the Center for Excellence, who will discuss
  Universal Design for Learning, (UDL), why it’s important, is your child receiving UDL, and why UDL is helpful for students. Part two of the session will include Dr. Al LaBarre sharing on chapter 7 of the book, “All About IEPs- Special Factors.” Register today: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucO-rrDMpHNYYXswBA_nG7nOTYPPiE5NQ#/registration
• Don’t miss out on the upcoming Fair Housing Accessibility First training! The next virtual session is on Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00 am & 2:00 pm, and will cover the Fair Housing Act Requirement 2: Accessible Public and Common-Use Areas. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/accessibility_first_training_calendar

Wednesday March 19th 2025

• Utilizing ADA Tools Program by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities 10:00am -11:00am. In this webinar, we will discuss how the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities, and the Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards can assist you along your accessibility journey.
  To register please use this link https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/feb0fbee-de68-4868-ad11-562414aa54f8@50f8fcc4-94d8-4f07-84eb-36ed57c7c8a2
• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11am https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events/
• DD Community Talks Cuyahoga County 1:00pm-4:00pm 4415 Northfield Rd., Warrensville Heights, OH 44128 Register through this link https://reg.planetreg.com/E102214835173214
• DD Community Talks Region 6 1:00pm-4:00pm 4325 S Green Rd, Highland Hills, OH 44128 Event Details
  Join us for the DD Community Talks – an exciting in-person event series held across Ohio! Hosted by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. These events provide an opportunity for people with disabilities, families, and community members to network, share experiences, and explore resources to support disability services in their regions.
  Agenda
  • 30 mins: Check-in/Networking
  • 30 mins: DODD Presentation
  • 90 mins: Table Talks
  • 20 mins: Wrap up & Next Steps
  Let’s connect for the disability community!
  Registration Link https://reg.planetreg.com/E102214835173214
• Portage County Awards Ceremony for Direct Support Professional of Month 5-6pm in Portage County, Ohio.
• Lucas County Board of DD Inclusion Resource Fair 5:30pm to 7:30pm in Toledo, Ohio. https://facebook.com/events/s/inclusion-resource-fair/631894382844884/
• People First of Northeast Ohio meets 6:30pm to 8:00pm People First is a self advocacy group for Adults with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) in NE Ohio. They care about having our voices heard, empowering one another, nothing about us without us, Education, Equality and Inclusion. They meet virtually. For more information contact amy.mordaunt@thearcofohio.org

Thursday March 20th

• OSDA Regional Meeting. At the Happy Day Services Building
  2500 Brady Lake Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266, USA Information: Registration required : email events@portagedd.org or call 330-296-2839 ext. 3148
• Montgomery County Parents and Advocates Advisory Council 5:30pm-8:00pm Online Video Meeting https://www.mcbdds.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=7420&month=3&year=2025&day=24&calType=0
  MCBDDS hosts an online Parents & Advocates Advisory Council (PAAC) meeting regularly to provide people with developmental disabilities who receive services, their family members and guardians the opportunity to discuss issues of interest with MCBDDS leadership on a regular basis.

Friday March 21st 2025

• Ohio Women’s Veterans Forum 11:00am-12:00pm for more information https://x.com/ohiovets/status/1897008087984378099?s=46
• Threats to Medicaid Webinar 10:30-11:30 am Description Medicaid is a critical safety net in Ohio, providing essential health coverage to millions of Ohioans—including low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities. As a joint federal-state partnership, Medicaid helps ensure that Ohioans can access primary care, prescription medications, and long-term services while stabilizing the state’s health care system by reducing uncompensated care costs. From proposed work requirements to possible funding reductions, Ohio’s Medicaid program could change drastically. Join Medicaid Policy Fellow Brandy Davis on March 21 at 10:30 to explore the threats to Medicaid.
  To Register https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rHtp8U_1RMO9C0eKScKeqw#/registration
• World Down Syndrome Day! Wear Cool socks and post photos on social media!
• Disability Rights Ohio Budget Review 3:00pm please contact Brittanie Maddox at DRO for more information bmaddox@disabilityrightsohio.org

Saturday March 22nd 2025

No Known Events

Helpful Information by National, State and County Agencies and Organizations for People to Read

• Ohio Department of Aging Put out an Adult Day Care guide please check out this link to read it.
• Artists with Disabilities Access Program: The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. 
  Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
• Administration on Community Living has put out information on Nutrition for older adults check out the link to this information.
• Center for Family Involvement has made a post about accessibility in social media please check it out thru the link here.
• Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging will transition from operating within the City of Columbus’ Department of Recreation and Parks to a stand-alone Regional Council of Governments by 2026. This shift will enable COAAA to better serve its consumers — older adults and people with disabilities — within its eight-county region while expanding services and launching new programs.
  Learn more in today’s news release: https://bit.ly/3Fuz60M
• OSU Nisonger put out a video series on Smart Homes on this YouTube link for people learn about Smart Homes and Independence.
• Upcoming Ace! Information Session!
  Ace! is a program to help The Ohio State University students with autism or similar communication difficulties confidently navigate the college experience. This is done by coordinating services that foster self-determination, social communication, and campus connections. Ace! staff will assist students in achieving academic, social, and post-graduate goals at The Ohio State University.
  When – March 17th, 2025 at 7pm
  Where – In-person at the Nisonger Center OR virtually via Zoom (please fill out interest form)
  Questions? Email – aceprogram@osumc.edu
  Interest Form – https://bit.ly/3FnwsK7
  Visit our website here. https://bit.ly/4iFCUKJ
• OSU Nisonger did a talk on Insomnia with Youth with Autism please check out video here of the talk.
• This was shared by Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities Kings Island ‘s accessibility guide has changed and we want to make sure you have all the details before visiting this summer! One of the major changes is the accessibility card! Individuals will now have to get prior approval from a third-party system that requires a doctor’s note. To make sure your prepared, please take a look at the Kings Island accessibility guide: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/accessibility
  

This Week in Awareness

• World Down Syndrome Day on Friday wear cool socks and post to social media
• March is DD Awareness Month wear Orange one day to show awareness and make social media post.
• It is Women’s History Month

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com