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

• 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
• The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) would like to invite you to participate in a short, 25 question survey about your involvement in your student’s education. Research suggests that parental involvement is a key predictor of positive educational outcomes. You may be eligible to participate if your child has an IEP and receives special education services. The purpose of collecting this information is to improve services for students with disabilities across Ohio. If you are eligible to participate and you enroll in the study, you will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card. Your chance of winning a gift card is approximately 2.0%. Please click on the link to find out more about the survey and if you are eligible.
• Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is looking for people in Champaign, Clark, Preble, Miami or Montgomery Counties to fill out their Needs Assessment Survey to help them find needs of the people with disabilities in their community.
• The Home and Community-Based Services Policy section at the Ohio Department of Medicaid is proposing to amend Ohio Administrative Code 5160-32-02 Electronic visit verification (EVV) data collection and 5160-32-03 Alternate electronic visit verification (EVV) vendor.
  These rules set forth data collection requirements for providers regarding electronic visit verification (EVV). The proposed change to these rules removes the term “agency” in describing the types of providers the rules apply to.
  View the proposed changes here. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/medicaid.ohio.gov/Providers/EVV/5160-32_EVV_Proposed.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
  Submit your feedback to HCBSPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov by May 12, 2025.
• ADA PARC: Help Us Measure The Impact of the ADA – 35 Years Later
  This July 26th marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. While progress has been made, the need to understand the ADA’s ongoing impact—and the barriers that still exist— is more urgent than ever.
  We invite you to take part in a brief, anonymous survey to help us assess how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. The survey results will be used to inform and guide technical assistance and policy recommendations related to the ADA.
  

Events around Ohio to check out week of May 5th 2025 to May 10th 2025

Monday May 12th 2025

• Preparing for an Emergency:
  An Information Session for Individuals with Disabilities and their Caregivers, Monday, May 12 · 10 AM–12 PM Preparing for an Emergency:
  An Information Session for Individuals with Disabilities and their Caregivers
  Join us for this interactive session on how to best prepare for an emergency.
  Prepare for impacts of disasters
  Create an emergency plan with the assistance of a caregiver
  Create an emergency plan specific to an individual’s needs
  Understand the necessary steps for sheltering in place, community sheltering, and evacuation
  Monday, May 12, 2025 10am to 12noon
  Training Location: EasterSeals Redwood Ohio
  2901 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, 45206
  To register: Jenise Brassell, Independent Living Specialist,
  E: Jenise@IndependenceAlliance.org P: 513-246-0319

Tuesday May 13 2025

• Community Integration and Employment Updates, Tuesday, May 13 · 10 AM–12 PM at Pioneer Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.
• BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS: SS, SSI, JFS, PAYEE INFORMATION AND TIPS Event by Clearwater Council on Governments Tuesday May 13th 12:00pm-1:00pm Register though the link here.
• MCBDD Resource Fair 10:00-2:00pm at 3575 Maple Ave
  Zanesville, OH 43701, USA
• Breaking Silences Advocacy Meeting 3pm contact Maria.Matzik@acils.com for more information.

Wednesday May 14th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11am https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events
• Supported Decision Making Network of Ohio Meeting, Wednesday, May 14 · 12–1:30 PM, Repeats every month on the second Wednesday This is for anyone who is interested in knowing more about supported decision making. https://www.sdmno.org
• Region 4 DD Community Talks Chillicothe, Ohio Join the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities at their regional Community Talk on May 14th at the Adena PACCAR Center. Click this link to register for the event.
• Special Education Virtual Townhall 7:00pm-8:00pm DescriptionChaos, cuts, and disruption in D.C. are already harming Ohio kids. Special education programs are on the federal chopping block, and the Ohio House plans to shortchange special education in the state budget. Parents, educators, and advocates are ready to take action. Join Policy Matters Ohio for a virtual town hall to learn what you can do to stand up for special education in Ohio. Check out their event through this Facebook link.

Thursday May 15th 2025

• Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council Meeting, Thursday, May 15 · 2–4 PM Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport
  2886 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219, USA Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council for more information check out this website https://ohiosilc.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=72
• WCBDD & Envision Toileting 101, Thursday, May 15 · 6–7:30 PM Join us for a virtual Learning Event for Parents and caregivers via live Teams video presentation to get an in-depth look at the multiple components involved in toileting!
  May 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  Register here by May 9

Friday May 16th 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 May 17th 2025

• Community Healthy Living Expo, Saturday, May 17 · 11 AM–3 PM Collinwood Recreation Center
  16300 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44110, USA

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

• Planning an accessible outdoor adventure just got easier!
  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has launched a new Accessible Trails Guide — your go-to resource for finding parks and outdoor spaces that meet your needs.
  In the guide, you’ll find:
  ✅ Trail safety tips
  ✅ Accessible trails, fishing, boating, and Storybook Trails
  ✅ Lodges, campgrounds, cabins, inclusive playgrounds, and more!
  Start exploring today: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/outdoor/accessible-activities-facilities/accessible-trails
• If you or a loved one is facing a mental health or addiction crisis, you’re not alone. Call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained specialist ready to listen and offer free, confidential support 24/7.
  988 is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.
  Learn more and find easy-to-read resources: https://dodd.ohio.gov/about-us/our-programs/988+Resources
• 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
• In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, explore DODD’s Wellness Project, a collection of resources for EVERYONE, featuring tools for mindfulness, relaxation, and mental health support. Check out the information through this link put out by Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
• Ohio Family to Family on Navigating the IEP process can be overwhelming—here is a roadmap to help you become informed.

This Week in Awareness

May:
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• National Arthritis Awareness Month
• Disability Insurance Awareness Month
• ALSOS. Awareness Month
• National Stroke Awareness Month
• National Military Service Appreciation Month
• Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month
• Better Speech–Language-Hearing Month
• Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
• Brain Tumor Awareness Month
• Cystic Fibrosis Awares Month
• Public Service Recognition Week
• Guide Dog Month
• Hepatitis Awareness Month
• Hepatitis Awareness Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month
• Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• Mobility Awareness Month
• Older Americads Month
• Celiac Awareness Month
• Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
• Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month
• High Blood Pressure Awareness And Education Month
• Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic Sesting Month
• Health Vision Awareness Month
• Myositis Awareness Month
• National Ostioperosis Awareness And Prevention Month
• Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
• Neurofabromotis Awareness Month
• Williams Syndrome Awareness Month

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com