#AdvocacyMatters: LEAP Forward

March 29, 2024 / #AdvocacyMatters

The room was filled to the brim with legislative staff and people with disabilities. Over fifty people in attendance. The energy was high, with every person ready to dig deeper into the needs of Cleveland area advocates with disabilities.

The picture shared above happened at our last in-person Town Hall with LEAP Cleveland on March 20th. With around 10 elected officials present at the event, it was a fabulous opportunity for people from all over Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland area to speak directly to those in power.

"It was a great dialogue about accessibility in housing, transportation, public spaces and employment," said Melanie Hogan, Director of Public Policy and External Affairs at LEAP Cleveland.

As we carry on in our advocacy this year, we hope to replicate the LEAP event with similar turn-out and passion. We need everyone, you included, to help us propel disability rights forward.

“It was great to see advocates and local leaders connecting and discussing issues occurring in their communities,” said Jordan Ballinger, DRO’s Policy Director. “We hope everyone takes the momentum from this meeting and continues to strengthen relationships with their local leaders so they hear directly from their disabled constituents and make their communities equitable.”

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