#AdvocacyMatters: Elevated and Empowered

April 21, 2023 / #AdvocacyMatters

“Transformative work often happens in incremental moments.”

This understanding is the thread that encircles our story from the last year. Informed and inspired by a new mission, vision, and values, we exited 2022 with a refined focus and renewed energy. The results from every corner of our work show this transformative change, and we’re proud to share these stories with you.

Earlier this week, we released Elevated and Empowered – our 2022 annual report. This report highlights the stories and success from all across of our organization, linked by the shared belief in our new vision of “Voices Elevated. People Empowered. Equity Achieved.”

In 2022 our work and advocacy reached each of Ohio’s 88 counties, with more than 5,700 calls for service received. Our Abuse and Neglect team performed investigation and monitoring activities in nearly 100 facilities. We reached into our communities to perform more than 90 different outreach efforts and continued to expand translations of our materials into new languages.

Elevated and Empowered details our advocacy in supporting Huber Heights student Hunter Garrett, who won a suit against Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities after being wrongfully denied reimbursement for college programming. The report highlights our work in policy and community engagement, rallying behind the belief of “Nothing About Us Without Us.” There are updates on our work to advocate for improved access to Home and Community Based Services – reinforced throughout last year by our #EveryoneDeservesCare series of stories from the direct care workforce crisis. We also highlight the wealth of experience behind our two longest-serving team members, with more than 60 years of advocacy between them.

Kerstin Sjoberg, DRO’s Executive Director, closes the report with a glance at the previous year and a long look ahead.

“While complex in practice, our motivation is simple: Advocating for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities. We hope that you’ll join us in making a greater and more meaningful impact across our state. The more people who join us in amplifying our advocacy and supporting our work, the sooner our ultimate vision will come into focus.”

You can read our full report at disabilityrightsohio.org/elevated

#AdvocacyMatters