Every week we put out the Pulse and it’s filled with opportunities to use your voice alongside the current events happening in Ohio. This week we found that we had an over flow of opportunities to speak up and use your voice. This is our midweek post letting people know of ways you can speak up on policy and other areas where opinions and public comment are needed.,

• Disability Rights Ohio Is doing their annual survey of needs click this link to take the survey.
• Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is asking people to take a survey on self direction for waiver participants. Click on this link to do the survey.
• Tell us: What are your favorite ways to relax or practice self-care? Share your stories here.
  If you need to use the form differently, feel free to send attachments, pictures, or videos to nathan.turner@dodd.ohio.gov
• The Ohio Medicaid Matters Coalition is looking for personal stories by people who could be impacted by Medicaid cuts if this is you please check out this link to learn how to submit your story. https://www.ohiomedicaidmatters.org
• The Ohio State University (OSU) Nisonger Center is doing research on the health, mental health, and wellness of adults with intellectual disability (ID). We need to learn more so that we can improve services.
  This study includes online interviews with adults with ID and their chosen study partners. The study should take about 3 hours. For doing the study, each participant and their study partner will each receive $100.
  To SIGN UP: Call 1-833-678-7782
• SHARE YOUR STORY, HELP FIGHT HUNGER! Poetry Is Life Publishing is compiling community poems and letters representing voices in our region from eight counties (Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, and Wayne) who have experienced hunger. What do you crave from your community? Food, love, family, friendship, hope, peace, equality. Have you experienced hunger? What was it like? Submit your poem, letter or story for the opportunity to be included in the book. A portion of book sales will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. The deadline to submit is June 30, 2025.
  For more information please reach out by email at poetryislifepublishing@gmail.com
• 2025 Disability/Deaf and Abuse Survey
  This national survey seeks to enhance our understanding of the prevalence of abuse— including sexual abuse, physical assault, coercion, harassment, and exploitation—among individuals with disabilities, as well as those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind.
  Your experience matters. The findings will help us develop research, interventions, and policy recommendations to advocate for strengthening protections against abuse and improving support for survivors. Click this link to take the survey.
• Make your Voice Heard to share in a survey feedback about the PCA Match app through Public Consulting Group.
• 5 Minutes. 3 Actions. 1 Voice for Disability Rights.
  Speak Up Now: Protect Disability Access Rights!
  https://nacdd.org/5-minutes-3-actions-1-voice-for-disability-rights/
  There are TWO public comment opportunities that need the attention of the disability community.
  🌟 Public Comment One: Protect Disability Access Rights! – The U.S. Department of Energy is trying to eliminate important disability protections. The department is trying to change part of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that ensures new buildings are accessible to people with disabilities. This move could set a dangerous precedent. If they succeed, other federal agencies might try to do the same. This will weaken protections that millions rely on.
  🌟 Public Comment Two: Direct final rule on nondiscrimination – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) wants to remove 12 civil rights rules. Part of these 12 are disability access protections. They say the rules are “unnecessary,” “outdated,” or not supported by law. They are using a fast-track process called a “direct final rule.”
  This is urgent! If thousands do not make comments, the rule will take effect July 15, 2025.
  The deadline to submit your comment(s) is Monday, June 16th at 11:59 PM EDT.
  Take Action Now!
  It only takes a few seconds: https://nacdd.org/5-minutes-3-actions-1-voice-for-disability-rights/
• Call for Nominations: Ohio Poet Laureate Nominations for Ohio Poet Laureate are now being accepted. The next Ohio Poet Laureate’s two-year term is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, and ends on December 31, 2027. The Ohio Poet Laureate has the opportunity to foster the art of poetry across the Buckeye State. This includes encouraging literacy and learning, addressing central missues related to the humanities and heritage, and encouraging the reading and writing of poetry across Ohio. As part of the individual’s role, the Ohio Poet Laureate will be expected to undertake a significant cultural project, such as bringing poetry to people or to a region of the state that might otherwise be underserved in this regard. Additionally, The Ohio Poet Laureate will provide at least 20 public readings or other literacy-related events annually in urban, suburban, and rural settings throughout Ohio. The Ohio Poet Laureate is ultimately appointed by the Governor of Ohio, with recommendations provided by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) as reviewed by OAC board members. Nomination requirements are available on the Ohio Arts Council’s website .
   
  

For more events check out our main website OhioAdvocacyHeartbeat.com