Ohio's State Budget: We Need Your Help
May 29, 2019 by Disability Rights Ohio / state budget
This week, Disability Rights Ohio provided testimony to the Senate Finance Committee regarding the state's budget bill, House Bill 166. As mentioned in Ohio's State Budget: An Update, there were several positive provisions that provided increases to services critically needed for people with disabilities. Many of these same increases were maintained and expanded upon in the House version that was passed on May 9, 2019, by a vote of 85-9.
However, the House added a provision to the bill that would dramatically impact the work and independence of DRO. Section 5123.603 of the budget bill requires:
- That the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives establish a joint legislative committee to investigate whether DRO should continue to be designated as the state's protection and advocacy system (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP).
- The joint legislative committee submit a report to the Governor with their recommendations.
To our knowledge, this level of legislative oversight over an independent non-profit organization that does not receive any state dollars would be unique; no other private organization in the state is subject to this level of review.
Any attempt to designate a new organization as the P&A or CAP could jeopardize funding for other essential programs in the state, including the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and the state Vocational Rehabilitation agency, OOD. Most important would be the impact on our clients, as they would no longer have the unique breadth and depth of knowledge that DRO brings to their representation.
DRO's team of dedicated attorneys and advocates work daily on issues impacting people with disabilities. Some of these issues include education; helping people find work; transportation; service animals; access to long term service and supports, including ICF and home and community-based services; and protection against abuse and neglect.
In 2018 alone DRO completed and worked on:
- 6,340 individual requests for services
- 204 reports of abuse or neglect
- conducted just under 170 investigations or monitoring of facilities
- helped more than 100 victims of crime
Without the experienced and highly focused attorneys and advocates at DRO, these individuals would not have received representation and essential resources to help them navigate complicated systems, understand their rights, ensure they receive necessary services, and be effective self-advocates.
Disability Rights Ohio is a necessary and critical component to ensuring the rights of people with disabilities in Ohio are protected. This provision is an undue burden on our organization and could threaten the ability for us to provide these essential services to the people we serve.
How You Can Help
This fight is far from over. The bill has advanced and is now in the Senate. We need people to tell their stories and explain why this provision needs to be removed. Call or email your state Senator to send a strong message. You can use the scripts below as a starting point or craft your own. Your personal stories are powerful, so be sure to share them.
What to say when you call
My name is _____ and I am calling as your constituent to ask you to please remove section 5123.603 in the state budget because it could profoundly harm the rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.
Disability Rights Ohio is a private nonprofit corporation that receives no state dollars. No other private advocacy or legal organization is subject to this type of review. In fact, DRO already reports to federal regulators. It was the intent of Congress when they created organizations like DRO nearly 40 years ago that they be free from unfair state pressure.
DRO helps elevate the voice of self-advocates and gives individuals and organizations a resource they need to be effective in their advocacy. They have helped me with [insert your story].
I urge you to support people with disabilities and ask you to eliminate this damaging provision from the state budget.
Thank you,
[Insert your name]
What to say when you email
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to please remove section 5123.603 in the state budget that creates senseless legislative oversight of a private nonprofit corporation, Disability Rights Ohio.
Disability Rights Ohio is an independent organization designated by the governor, regulated by federal law as the Protection and Advocacy system and Client Assistance Program in Ohio to investigate instances of abuse and neglect and to protect the rights of people with disabilities. No other private advocacy or legal organization is subject to this type of review.
DRO helps elevate the voice of self-advocates and gives individuals and organizations a resource they need to be effective in their advocacy. They have helped me fight for my rights as a person with disabilities / family member by [insert your story].
Disability Rights Ohio has been an invaluable organization fighting for my rights and those across Ohio. People with disabilities deserve an independent voice to uphold laws and fight against discrimination, without retaliation.
I urge you to support people with disabilities and ask you to eliminate this damaging provision from the state budget.
Thank you,
[Insert your name]
[insert your address]