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

• Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness(PAIMI) Program
  Public Forum On May 6th, 2025, representatives from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will visit Disability Rights Ohio, the Protection & Advocacy System for the State of Ohio.
  SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send comments about the
  PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by the Disability Rights Ohio.
  Please send your comments to SAMHSA/CMHS by email to PAIMI@samhsa.hhs.gov or mail to the PAIMI Program Coordinator, SAMHSA/CMHS, 5600 Fishers Lane, Suite 14E25D,
  Rockville, Maryland 20857
• April is National Poetry Month, and, we’re looking for Ohio advocates to submit poems about advocacy that are 100 words or less! If you wish to submit a poem, send it to:
  ohioadvocacyheartbeat@gmail.com
• The 2025 National Health And Disability Survey is out now! this is for anyone who lives with a disability or chronic health condition. If you choose, you can enter for a chance to win one of 15 $100 gift cards! Drawings will be held weekly. You can also choose to be notified when the survey is availabble next year. Take this opportunity to stake your voice heard!
  You can access the survey by clicking this link to do the survey.
  If you any questions, please reach out:
     Phone:  1 (855) 556-6328
     Email:   healthsurvey@ku.edu

Events around Ohio to check out week of April 6th 2025 to April 12th 2025

Monday April 14th

• We Thrive Together: Spiritual Wellness class 11:00am-12:00pm click this link to join.
• We Thrive Together: Healthy Relationship Qualities Class 3:00-4:00pm click this link to join.

Tuesday April 15th 2025

Happy Tax Day!

• Breaking Silences Advocacy Meeting 3pm contact Maria.Matzik@acils.com for more information.

Wednesday April 16th

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11am https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events
• The Pacific ADA Center is having a webinar on ‘Your Rights as a Person with a Disability Under the ADA in Health Care Register here at this link.
• People First of Northeast Ohio, Wednesday, Apr 16 · 6:30–8 PM, Repeats every month on the third Wednesday 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 April 17th

• OOD: Service Animals Webinar In this webinar, we will discuss what a service animal is and how they are utilized in the workplace community. Best practices will be shared for interacting with service animals and their handlers in inclusive ways.
  Register through this link
• Workshop: Accessible Electronic Communication in Healthcare, Thursday, Apr 17 · 2:30–3:30 PM ADA National Network is hosting a free webinar on ‘Accessible Electronic Communication in Healthcare Settings’ on April 17, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST. Register here:
• Your Students Rights and Services at Risk: Changing the Landscape 1:00pm-2:00pm Join Matt Cohen on Zoom, Thursday, April 17th at 12:00 p.m. Central Time, as he discusses changes in US Department of Education Federal funding, laws, and enforcement that have already happened or are being considered, the impact, and what can be done about it at the national level for your child.
  Register through Zoom link.

Friday April 19th 2025

• Disability Rights Ohio Weekly Budget Debriefs will be from 3 to 4 PM. Disability Rights Ohio will give weekly updates on the Ohio Budget for people with disabilities and families. If you’re interested in attending, email Brittanie Maddox at:
  bmaddox@disabilityrightsohio.org

Saturday April 19th 2025

• Ohio Deaf Association Board Meeting, Saturday, Apr 19 · 10:00 AM–2:00PM Ohio Deaf Association Board Meeting
  10am-2pm https://www.facebook.com/share/1EmBWAomgx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Adapted CrossFit in Cincinnati
• Ohio Miss Amazing Pageant, Saturday, Apr 19 · 4:00-5:00pm at Barberton High School Barberton, Ohio $10 at the door.

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

• 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
• 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

• Stress Awareness Month
• Autism Awareness Month
• National Poetry Month
• National Minority Health Month
• Sjogrens Awareness Month

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com