Her service dog was denied entry at a JFS office. We opened the doors. #AdvocacyMatters

Lynn's service dog is trained to help her manage the symptoms of her PTSD. When making trips to her local Job and Family Services (JFS) office, security staff asked Lynn twice to provide proof of her dog's status as a service animal. Both times, they ultimately refused to allow her... Read more...

April 19, 2019Read More

Gabe went from struggling to all As and Bs, with help from DRO. #AdvocacyMatters

When Gabe started second grade, he was really struggling in school. He was getting speech therapy, but his mother knew he was not progressing academically like he should. She asked the school to provide additional services, but they refused. She then requested a re-evaluation for Gabe, which was also refused.... Read more...

April 12, 2019Read More

DRO expands Medicaid Pro Bono Program thanks to partnership with McDonald Hopkins

Disability Rights Ohio is pleased to announce a new partnership with law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC to expand its existing Medicaid Pro Bono Program, which provides legal services to Ohio families and children with disabilities. The program, which started when DRO teamed up with Nationwide Insurance in 2017, will now... Read more...

April 5, 2019Read More

DRO's new annual report highlights the importance of the P&A system

Our new Annual Report shows what we did, but it also paints a portrait of what life for Ohioans with disabilities would be if there were no P&A and CAP. Hundreds of people would be denied services without recourse. They wouldn't receive information about how to challenge those decisions. Read more...

March 29, 2019Read More

P&A access authority upheld in Disability Rights Ohio lawsuit against The Buckeye Ranch

Today, Disability Rights Ohio celebrates the decision by Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, to uphold the broad access authority that is foundational to its Protection & Advocacy (P&A) work. DRO will now be able to interview children at The... Read more...

March 26, 2019Read More

He wasn't getting enough time out of his cell. His complaint to DRO led to systemic policy change. #AdvocacyMatters

David has a diagnosed mental illness and has been placed in solitary confinement in a state correctional facility. He felt his mental health was deteriorating and believed that he was not getting enough out-of-cell time in line with state prison policy. He attempted to advocate for himself, but he wasn't... Read more...

March 22, 2019Read More

He needed additional services to keep him safe. One email from DRO changed the outcome. #AdvocacyMatters

Ben had a Level 1 Medicaid waiver, which provided some services, but not enough to keep him from wandering away from his home at night sometimes, which put him at risk. His father had applied to get him placed on a SELF waiver three times, but the county board of... Read more...

March 15, 2019Read More

To get action, they put their bodies on the line

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was introduced in 1998, but by early 1990, it had stalled in the House of Representatives. So on March 12, 1990, disability rights activists organized a rally to demand its passage. At the close of the rally, more than 60 activists abandoned their wheelchairs... Read more...

March 12, 2019Read More

DRO seeks to better help clients through trauma at OVWA training #AdvocacyMatters

On February 21 and 22, DRO's Victims of Crime attorney Sarah Hill and advocate Basil Stolar attended a training hosted by the Ohio Victim Witness Association (OVWA) to learn about working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Read more...

March 1, 2019Read More

A veteran was at risk of losing her support dog. We stepped in to help. #AdvocacyMatters

Claire, a veteran diagnosed with PTSD, has three support dogs that help her manage the symptoms of her disability. However, her Homeowners Association (HOA) accused her of violating their two pet policy. Read more...

February 22, 2019Read More

He was facing expulsion. We kept him in school. #AdvocacyMatters

When Caleb started having behaviors at school, he was removed from his school's general education program and placed in a behavioral program. Another conflict got the seventh-grader suspended due to aggressive behavior, and the school moved to expel him. Read more...

February 15, 2019Read More

Disability Rights Ohio releases disability rights resources in Spanish and Somali

Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is pleased to announce the release of 23 self-advocacy resources newly translated into Spanish and Somali. These documents, found on DRO's website, will provide important information and resources to Spanish- and Somali-speaking individuals with disabilities and their families. Read more...

February 8, 2019Read More

Things at her workplace were changing. We stepped in to help her maintain her routine. #AdvocacyMatters

Jenny had worked two-hour shifts at a café for 16 years and with her own transportation arranged. However, when the café started operating independent of the county board of developmental disabilities, Jenny was told that she would have to work five-hour shifts and use the company’s transportation instead. Read more...

February 1, 2019Read More

He was worried about the conditions of his facility. Our advocacy ensured a more sanitary environment. #AdvocacyMatters

Will lives in a state correctional facility in a unit that treats residents with mental illness. He grew concerned about the conditions of his unit when he saw mice, insects and what he thought to be black mold in the facility. Worried about his health and the health of his... Read more...

January 25, 2019Read More

His needs weren't being met in the classroom. We helped get him support to succeed. #AdvocacyMatters

When he was in kindergarten, Jonathan went to a school for students with autism, but his mom felt that he would do well in general education classrooms with the right support. However, when he entered first grade at his new school, his mom noticed significant changes in his behavior and... Read more...

January 18, 2019Read More

Her services were cut and her home was in jeopardy. We helped her stay put. #AdvocacyMatters

Beverly was pretty happy with the in-home and rental assistance services she was receiving in her accessible apartment. However, her apartment building was slowly being transitioned to an assisted living facility. In October, she was notified that she would have to switch from an Ohio Home Care waiver to an... Read more...

January 11, 2019Read More

She needed a closer parking space. Our advocacy paved the way. #AdvocacyMatters

Mary's apartment complex had five accessible parking spaces, but they were frequently taken by other residents and their guests. She often found herself having to walk long distances to get to her apartment, which was very difficult because of her disability. She tried for several weeks to ask the property... Read more...

January 4, 2019Read More

DRO has been busy this year

At Disability Rights Ohio, we focus on what people with disabilities want for their lives, and we fight every day to make Ohio more inclusive, more integrated and more fair. As we wrap up 2018, we're reflecting on all the work we've done this year, thanks to our tremendous staff,... Read more...

December 21, 2018Read More

Three workers with disabilities previously paid subminimum wage sue Roppe Industries for employment discrimination

Three long-time employees of Seneca Re-Ad, a workshop in Fostoria that acts as the Sampling Division for the manufacturer Roppe Corporation, are hoping to gain an equal chance to do their jobs and access the same advancement, pay and benefit opportunities as other Roppe workers. Read more...

December 18, 2018Read More

We saw a need for education about housing rights, so we partnered to get funding. #AdvocacyMatters

Some of the most common questions we get at Disability Rights Ohio are about housing rights, particularly around discrimination, reasonable accommodations and support or assistance animals. In a continued effort to educate people around those specific issues, DRO has partnered with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) and the U.S. Department... Read more...

December 14, 2018Read More

DRO works to address nursing concerns for people with developmental disabilities

Disability Rights Ohio has received many calls from people with disabilities and their families because the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) was proposing to have their nursing care provided by aides instead of licensed nurses. This is often called “delegated nursing.” Read more...

December 7, 2018Read More

She needed our help to stay in school. Our advocacy made the difference. #AdvocacyMatters

Yvonne was being bullied at school, and one day, she reached her breaking point. She went into the school bathroom and wrote a curse word - not a threat - in pencil on the wall. Administrators pulled her out of class and called the police, who arrested the sixth-grader and... Read more...

November 30, 2018Read More

She was in the hospital and wanted to vote. Let her tell you how DRO helped. #AdvocacyMatters

Last Monday I was admitted to the hospital, unexpectedly. I was told I would be there for at least two days. That meant I wouldn't be able to vote. As upset as I was about being in the hospital, I was even more upset that I wouldn't be able to... Read more...

November 16, 2018Read More

Disability Rights Ohio and Partners Reach Ground-Breaking Settlement Agreement with State of Ohio in Special Education Class-Action Lawsuit

A settlement agreement reached in the longstanding Doe v. State of Ohio special education class action lawsuit will improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities, in part by supporting their inclusion in regular classrooms. The settlement is expected over the next five years to improve the state's support for... Read more...

November 8, 2018Read More

Call DRO's Voter Hotline at 800-282-9181 on Election Day

It's Election Day, and the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.! DRO's Voter Hotline will be open the same hours at 800-282-9181. DRO staff will be available to answer your questions, and we may be able to help if you think your voting rights are being... Read more...

November 6, 2018Read More

She was being denied an education. We got her back in the classroom. #AdvocacyMatters

Poppy had been bullied at school. She told a teacher, but her safety was not taken seriously. Eventually, Poppy could no longer bear it, and she brought a knife to school in her backpack for protection. When the knife was discovered, she was expelled, even though she had no history... Read more...

October 26, 2018Read More

She wanted to get back into the community. Our advocacy got her there. #AdvocacyMatters

Germaine Martin has a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in mathematics, and she wants to put her sharp mind to work and lead an active, social life. She'd had that community-based life at one time, with all of the supports she needed as a person with quadriplegia,... Read more...

October 19, 2018Read More

Get ready to vote! Register before tomorrow's deadline

We're down to the wire to register to vote in the November 6 General Election. Tomorrow, October 9, is the last day to submit your new registration or update your current registration if you have moved. Read more...

October 8, 2018Read More

The absentee voting process was inaccessible. Our lawsuit gave voters with disabilities new options. #AdvocacyMatters

For many years, Ohio's absentee voting system was entirely paper-based. If you couldn't read text on a piece of paper or use a pen to write, you had no choice but to ask someone to help you fill out your absentee ballot - and trust that person to mark your... Read more...

October 5, 2018Read More

Disability Rights Ohio Releases Illustrated Children's Book for Kids in Ohio's Residential Treatment Facilities

Disability Rights Ohio is excited to release Be an Advocate: How to Use Your Rights to Tell Your Story, a new resource created specifically for children living in residential treatment facilities (RTFs) licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) throughout the state. Read more...

September 28, 2018Read More

Her health was at risk in the heat. Our call to her property manager helped her cool off. #AdvocacyMatters

Last year, Margie's condo association put a fresh coat of paint on the outside of all the units in her complex. In the process, they inadvertently painted her windows shut. This wasn't a problem until this summer, when Margie's air conditioning system stopped working and she couldn't open her windows... Read more...

September 21, 2018Read More

Special ed families need help. Our new fellow is ready to jump in.

Disability Rights Ohio is pleased to announce new funding from The Columbus Foundation's Henry E. Coyle Targeted Fund and the Ingram-White Castle Foundation to continue our fellowship for special education. The fellowship funds will allow DRO to help parents and students with disabilities in Central Ohio as they develop their... Read more...

September 14, 2018Read More

Help us set our priorities for 2019 at our Toledo Listening Session

Every Fall, Disability Rights Ohio sets new priorities for the work we will do in the coming year. These priorities help us to focus our limited resources on the issues that are most critical to people with disabilities. This session is an opportunity to tell us your ideas in person. Read more...

September 7, 2018Read More

Your advocacy matters! Help us set our priorities for the coming year

Every Fall, Disability Rights Ohio sets new priorities for the work we will do in the coming year. These priorities help us to focus our limited resources on the issues that are most critical to people with disabilities. Read more...

September 7, 2018Read More

Come work with us!

Disability Rights Ohio currently has a number of available positions: Clerical Assistant (Full-Time), Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC), Representative Payee Reviewer, Victims of Crime Advocacy (VOCA) Attorney Read more...

September 6, 2018Read More

She needed someone to fight for her education. We stepped up. #AdvocacyMatters

A'loni Wagner was doing great in a school for kids with behavior disabilities, but her school district no longer wanted to pay for her attendance there. Instead, they sent her to her local middle school, where she struggled with teachers who often resorted to immediately restraining her instead of helping... Read more...

August 31, 2018Read More

They were violating her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. We called the county commissioner. #AdvocacyMatters

Like many people with disabilities, Genevieve depends on her county department of job and family services (JFS) and Medicaid to provide taxi transportation to her medical appointments. Genevieve kept encountering one company that always refused to put her wheelchair in the trunk of their cabs - a clear violation of... Read more...

August 24, 2018Read More

Without a handrail, she felt trapped in her apartment. We helped her out. #AdvocacyMatters

Meryl's apartment had three steps at the front door but no handrail. Because she is legally blind and was still recovering from two strokes, she didn't feel safe navigating them on her own. She had resorted to paying someone to bring in her mail and was struggling to pay her... Read more...

August 17, 2018Read More

Disability Rights Ohio files federal lawsuit against child residential treatment facility Buckeye Ranch for denying access to facility, children

Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against Buckeye Ranch, a 106-bed child residential treatment facility in Franklin County. The suit was filed in response to Buckeye Ranch denying DRO access to video surveillance footage of documented incidents... Read more...

August 16, 2018Read More

He wanted to be able to communicate. We helped him get the device he needed. #AdvocacyMatters

Vaughn wanted a new speech-generating device. Although he can write, he has limited use of his hands, so forming words with pen and paper is very difficult. His current device was nearly 20 years old, so it was big, clunky and had started to make loud clicking noises when it... Read more...

August 10, 2018Read More

DRO's Voter Hotline will be open for August 7 Special Election

Tomorrow -- Tuesday, August 7 -- is a special election day for Ohio's 12th Congressional District, which covers all or part of Delaware, Morrow, Licking, Franklin, Marion, Muskingum and Richland counties.There are also some local levies on the ballot in other parts of Ohio: Oak Hills Local School District in... Read more...

August 6, 2018Read More

After an accident, they impounded her wheelchair. We helped her get it back. #AdvocacyMatters

Sadie wanted to be home before dark. To get there, she had to drive her power wheelchair down streets with no sidewalk. Before long, she tumbled down an embankment and was thrown from her chair. Read more...

August 3, 2018Read More

Kids were at risk in a locked room. We opened the doors. #AdvocacyMatters

A DRO advocate got a tip that children with disabilities were being locked inside a recreation room at a learning center, so she traveled to the facility unannounced and asked for a tour. The program’s administrator was happy to show the advocate around. When they arrived at the room they... Read more...

July 25, 2018Read More

New DRO report uncovers pervasive problems at child residential facility Hannah Neil

Disability Rights Ohio conducted a nine-month investigation into complaints received about the physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other rights violations of the children at The Heritage of Hannah Neil (Hannah Neil), a 40-bed child residential facility located in Columbus, Ohio. DRO’s investigation found pervasive and troubling problems evident of a harmful... Read more...

July 19, 2018Read More

Without reliable transportation, her health was suffering. We fought alongside her to get her what she needed. #AdvocacyMatters

Alicia's health was suffering. Like many people with disabilities, she needs safe, reliable transportation to get to medical appointments, but her Medicaid managed care company kept providing transportation that put her at risk. She was told she could only get transportation if she used a manual chair instead of her... Read more...

July 13, 2018Read More

She needed a reasonable accommodation to get to work. Our advice kept her on the job. #AdvocacyMatters

Rebecca liked her job at a nearby nursing home, but her transportation arrangement was very stressful. Although she lived just three miles from her work place, her service provider required her to be picked up 90 minutes in advance and even transfer to a different bus along the way. This... Read more...

July 6, 2018Read More

Marcus hadn't been in school all year. We got him back on track. #AdvocacyMatters

Marcus and his family had moved to a new school district over the summer, and his mother, Marie, went to his new school to register him. Marcus, who has ADHD, Spina Bifida, epilepsy and autism and uses a wheelchair, needs a lot of supports, and Marie felt the school wasn't... Read more...

June 29, 2018Read More

With support from DRO, Kayla Stacy turns her broken trust into an opportunity for advocacy #AdvocacyMatters

"I was lucky to find out about DRO, and they made all the difference. They made me feel like a human, not a piece of evidence to be pulled out of a box. I don't know how I'd have gotten through this process without them." Read more...

June 21, 2018Read More

He needed a home. We gave him the encouragement he needed to find the perfect place. #AdvocacyMatters

Peter needed a place to live. Although he was eligible for services from his county board of developmental disabilities, he'd been homeless and sleeping on couches with friends for about a year. His mother called DRO, hoping we could get to the bottom of why Peter still didn't have proper... Read more...

June 15, 2018Read More

Her apartment manager had the wrong information about support animals. We cleared up the confusion. #AdvocacyMatters

Margie's emotional support dog is an important part of her life. When she moved into her new apartment, the apartment complex manager told her she would have to pay an extra $200 deposit. She knew that wasn't right, but her attempts at self-advocacy were unsuccessful, so Margie called DRO for... Read more...

June 8, 2018Read More

DRO submits additional testimony on bill to train school resource officers

Disability Rights Ohio has submitted additional testimony on Ohio House Bill 318, which would create training requirements for school resources officers (SRO) and set aside $10 million in funding to help schools pay for the training. DRO is concerned that the training portion of the legislation is vague and does... Read more...

June 6, 2018Read More

DRO testimony expresses concern about IP surety bond requirement

Disability Rights Ohio has submitted testimony on Senate Bill 218, which would require independent providers (IPs) to purchase a $10,000 surety bond if they wish to provide services. IPs are a critical part of life for many people with developmental disabilities. Without them, many people would not be able to... Read more...

June 5, 2018Read More

She called because they wanted to vote. We helped her clear the way. #AdvocacyMatters

The call came in to DRO's voter hotline at about 2:15 p.m. on Primary Election Day, May 8. A staff person at a psychiatric hospital had four patients who wanted to vote but couldn't go to their polling location because they were hospitalized. DRO had done voting rights trainings at... Read more...

June 1, 2018Read More

A proposed rule change could have put people at risk of abuse. Our call to action helped put a stop to it. #AdvocacyMatters

The news was concerning: with little explanation, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities was proposing to change a rule about its abuser registry and announced a public hearing to accept input. Read more...

May 25, 2018Read More

An incorrectly reported incident left him without job coaching services. We helped him get back to work with the supports he needs. #AdvocacyMatters

Jacob was looking for a new job in the community through the Job Club at his county board of developmental disabilities. Though his autism can make it difficult for him to understand social situations, at 20 years old, he is familiar with what it takes to hold long-term jobs in... Read more...

May 18, 2018Read More

New DRO report outlines significant, ongoing problems at the Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry

Disability Rights Ohio has investigated and documented flagrant and ongoing systemic issues at the Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry (OHP), a 130-bed, private inpatient psychiatric hospital located in Franklin County. A new report outlines our investigation. Read more...

May 9, 2018Read More

Disability Rights Ohio's Voter Hotline will be open on Primary Election Day - Tuesday, May 8!

Primary Election Day in Ohio is Tuesday, May 8, and the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. DRO's Voter Hotline will be open the same hours. DRO staff will be available to answer your questions and may be able to provide assistance if you think your... Read more...

May 3, 2018Read More

DRO comments on DODD's proposal to reassess waiting lists

Disability Rights Ohio has submitted comments on a proposal from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities that would reassess waiting lists for home and community-based waiver programs -- an effort called "Fix the List." This has been a very important concern to our clients and their families for years. DRO... Read more...

May 2, 2018Read More

She needed a fence to keep her safe outside. We got her the green light to build it. #AdvocacyMatters

Ava and her family live in a nice neighborhood in Central Ohio. Ava has autism and Dup15q Syndrome, and in the past she has run away from her home, which caused her mom, Laura, to worry that she could get hurt. Her Medicaid waiver offered to pay to have a... Read more...

April 30, 2018Read More

She needed a different vehicle to take her to medical appointments. We got her rolling. #AdvocacyMatters

Betty was getting transportation services for medical appointments through her Area Agency on Aging. The transportation company was sending a minivan to pick her up, but she found that it was too hard for her to climb in and out of such a high vehicle. She requested either a car... Read more...

April 20, 2018Read More

She wanted to cast her absentee ballot privately and independently. Our lawsuit made it a reality. #AdvocacyMatters

Shelbi Hindel has voted in every election since she turned 18. Because she is blind, she needed help to read the ballot for many years, relying on someone to read it aloud to her and trusting them to vote the way she wanted to. Accessible voting machines with screen reading... Read more...

April 13, 2018Read More

DRO submits testimony on bill to require and fund training for school resource officers

Disability Rights Ohio has submitted interested party testimony on Ohio House Bill 318, which would create training requirements for school resources officers and set aside $10 million in funding to help schools pay for the training. DRO hopes the legislature will also consider increasing funding to provide other related and... Read more...

April 10, 2018Read More

She needed more time. We made sure the landlord was listening. #AdvocacyMatters

Amy's father had just died. She was still trying to deal with the loss when she received bad news from his landlord: due to some unpaid rent, the landlord had gone to court to get an eviction notice. He would be putting all of her father's belongings out on the... Read more...

April 4, 2018Read More

DRO releases voting rights report | Register to vote by Monday

The Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is continuing its study of voting rights in Ohio. At the Committee's first meeting, DRO Director of Advocacy Kerstin Sjoberg-Witt spoke about the most pressing concerns impacting Ohio voters with disabilities. Her presentation has now been outlined in a... Read more...

April 3, 2018Read More

Federal court grants class certification in lawsuit challenging segregation of Ohioans with developmental disabilities

Today, Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, granted class certification in Ball v. Kasich. With this ruling, the five named plaintiffs in the case now represent the interests of thousands of similarly-situated people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in... Read more...

March 30, 2018Read More

Voter Alert: Ohio's Primary Election is May 8 - Are You Ready?

Register to Vote! The deadline to register is Monday, April 9. You can now register to vote online with an Ohio driver's license or state ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you prefer to fill out a paper form, many public offices, including your local... Read more...

March 30, 2018Read More

Ohio Requires Accessible Absentee Ballots for the Blind

Blind voters in Ohio must be able to cast absentee ballots privately and independently, according to a recent directive from Secretary of State John Husted. The directive comes after the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that a lawsuit brought by the National Federation of the... Read more...

March 26, 2018Read More

Disability Rights Ohio to oversee new federal program to protect beneficiaries of Social Security Disability benefits

Legislation passed today by the U.S. Senate will increase oversight and protection for some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, including 314,949 Ohioans. The bill, called the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act (H.R. 4547), will increase independent oversight of the Social Security Administration’s Representative Payee Program. Read more...

March 23, 2018Read More

He needed an in-person ASL interpreter. We reminded his medical providers of their responsibility. #AdvocacyMatters

Jack was trying to schedule an appointment with a new family doctor. He needed an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and knew that his doctor was required to provide one, but when he called the doctor's office, he hit some roadblocks. Read more...

March 23, 2018Read More

They were in danger of losing nursing services. Our pro bono partnership with Nationwide saved the day. #AdvocacyMatters

Two Ohio families had gotten bad news: the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities wanted to reduce or end the nursing services their daughters were receiving in their homes. Instead, the Department wanted an aide to perform the same care, which the families feared would put Leah and Michelle at risk... Read more...

March 16, 2018Read More

He needed a wheelchair to get around after surgery. We helped him find one. #AdvocacyMatters

At just 9 years old, Guillermo had undergone major surgery to his foot and, although he was doing well, doctors said he wouldn't be able to walk for three months while he healed. The third-grader was anxious to get back to school, but without a wheelchair to keep his foot... Read more...

March 9, 2018Read More

Statement of Disability Rights Ohio Before the Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee

DRO is submitting this statement in order to clarify and expand on information that the Committee has received about its activities and, specifically, litigation that it has filed on behalf of individual plaintiffs and seeks to have certified as a class action, Ball v. Kasich. As detailed below, the goal... Read more...

March 6, 2018Read More

DRO Commends Creation of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council

Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) applauds Gov. Kasich's signing of Ohio Senate Bill 144, establishing the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council. For the past three years, DRO and a coalition of disability advocates and organizations have worked with Kevin Miller, Director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and Senator... Read more...

March 2, 2018Read More

Ohioans invited to share voting stories during U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Committee meetings

The Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is currently conducting a study of voting rights in Ohio and asked Disability Rights Ohio to share our voting concerns impacting people with disabilities. Read more...

February 27, 2018Read More

They had a right to effective communication. Our advocacy got them the help they needed. #AdvocacyMatters

Freda and her husband purchased a home security system. Because they are Deaf, the company's installation technician tried to explain how to work the system by passing notes back and forth, but this caused a lot of confusion, since American Sign Language (ASL) is their primary language, not English. Read more...

February 23, 2018Read More

DODD seeking comments on proposed rule changes for waiver waiting lists

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has proposed new rule changes to the waiver waiting list system for people who want and need Medicaid home and community-based waiver services in Ohio. Under the proposed rule, county boards will have to assess people currently on waiting lists, as well as others... Read more...

February 21, 2018Read More

She wanted her freedom back. We helped her get it. #AdvocacyMatters

Monica had been under guardianship since she was 19, and after six years she knew it was time for a change. She had been taking care of herself for years in many ways, and her current guardian was controlling and critical, preventing Monica from practicing her religion and threatening to... Read more...

February 16, 2018Read More

With DRO’s help, Zach Ricker finds his way #AdvocacyMatters

Zach Ricker is happy now. At age 18, he’s got a job at Bob Evans in Bellefontaine washing dishes and bussing tables, and he’s making friends with his co-workers. It’s a life his parents, Lorie and Tim, have fought for, but it could easily have turned out differently. Read more...

February 9, 2018Read More

She needed a simple accommodation. One phone call from DRO made the difference. #AdvocacyMatters

Rebecca frequently meets with her case manager at a local agency. Because she's blind, she needs someone to offer an arm to guide her from the lobby to her case manager's office once she gets inside the building, but she was told that front office staff wouldn't provide that service... Read more...

February 2, 2018Read More

A facility was in poor condition. We partnered with the provider to get it fixed up. #AdvocacyMatters

In August 2017, Disability Rights Ohio received an anonymous tip that an Adult Care Facility in the Youngstown area was in bad shape, putting its residents - people with mental illness - at risk. DRO's abuse and neglect team visited and found a host of problems: stained and buckling ceiling... Read more...

January 26, 2018Read More

They wanted feedback about new voting machines. We weighed in. #AdvocacyMatters

The Franklin County Board of Elections is considering a purchase of new voting machines, and they want to make sure the machines they select continue to be accessible to people with disabilities. So they invited Disability Rights Ohio, the Center for Disability Empowerment, the American Council of the Blind of... Read more...

January 19, 2018Read More

Parents have options as ECOT closes

Recent news coverage has reported the potential closing of the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) due to the loss of a sponsor. ECOT is the largest online school in Ohio and its closure would affect roughly 12,000 students. If your child has a disability and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)... Read more...

January 18, 2018Read More

We wanted to help the disability community track important legislation. So we created a new resource center. #AdvocacyMatters

Disability Rights Ohio monitors dozens of pieces of legislation at any given time and maintains relationships with lawmakers to educate and inform them about how their proposals will affect people with disabilities. We know that many partners and self-advocates rely on us to help them stay informed on these issues. Read more...

January 12, 2018Read More

DRO expresses concerns about new statewide Medicaid EVV system

DRO first contacted the Ohio Department of Medicaid to express concerns about the state's plans to implement Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) in September. However, Medicaid moved forward with the GPS-based EVV system and the delivery of the devices directly to consumers. As the launch date approached, DRO’s concerns continued to... Read more...

January 9, 2018Read More

She needed OOD to cover tuition costs. We were there to help. #AdvocacyMatters

Monisha wants to be a computer hardware engineer, and she's been working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to achieve that goal. Because she's Deaf, American Sign Language is Monisha's first language, and understanding written English can be a challenge for her. Read more...

January 5, 2018Read More

She needed a closer parking space. We paved the way. #AdvocacyMatters

Leandra could never find a parking space close to her apartment. She'd have to park a block away and walk up a hill to her building, which was quite difficult because of her mobility disability. She asked her landlord to give her an assigned, reserved parking space close to her... Read more...

December 29, 2017Read More

Remember DRO for your year-end giving

As 2017 closes, Disability Rights Ohio asks for your support as we continue to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of all people with disabilities. And if you donate by December 31, your gift will be tax-deductible. Read more...

December 27, 2017Read More

The clients were living in appalling, unsafe conditions. We got the facility shut down. #AdvocacyMatters

As the Protection & Advocacy system for people with disabilities in Ohio, Disability Rights Ohio constantly monitors facilities where people with disabilities live to make sure they are clean and safe and the residents are well cared for. In June 2016, DRO made a monitoring visit to Simmons Adult Care,... Read more...

December 21, 2017Read More

Donzel Shepherd's call to DRO leads to more transparency for all Ohioans with disabilities seeking job services #AdvocacyMatters

Donzel Shepherd wants to help people get back to work, and he wants to do that in the underserved neighborhoods in his hometown of Cleveland. "I want to go into the community centers, where people don't have access to these services," he explains. "No one else goes there. " Read more...

December 15, 2017Read More

Bipartisan bill would create new program to protect people with disabilities from financial exploitation #AdvocacyMatters

Recently there have been reports in the news and through the Office of the Inspector General and Government Accountability Office about problems with the representative payee oversight program. In response, Congressional Republican Sam Johnson of Texas and Democrat John B. Larson of Connecticut have introduced House Resolution 4547, the Strengthening... Read more...

December 8, 2017Read More

New DRO FAQ explains options for people receiving notice that their waiver services haven't been used

On Oct. 30, 2017, DODD mailed letters to all people with developmental disabilities, and their guardians, who are enrolled on an Individual Options (IO), Level 1 or SELF waiver but who have not used any of their waiver services for more than a year. Disability Rights Ohio has created a... Read more...

December 7, 2017Read More

DRO submits comments on Ohio Senate bill that could negatively affect students with disabilities

isability Rights Ohio Executive Director Michael Kirkman recently sent a letter to state legislators working on Senate Bill 216, which intends to “deregulate” Ohio’s education system but could negatively impact students with disabilities. Read more...

December 6, 2017Read More

Tuscarawas County Judge upholds ruling in discrimination and retaliation case against daycare worker represented by DRO

A Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas Judge has upheld a finding by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) that a daycare facility discriminated against an employee by firing her after one day on the job. In July 2014, daycare Through the Years dismissed Theresa Petrullo, who has been diagnosed... Read more...

December 6, 2017Read More

He wanted to vote. We made it happen. #AdvocacyMatters

It was Election Day and James was excited to exercise his right to vote. He called DRO's voter hotline from the facility where he lives to get the address of his polling location. DRO found the information, and James asked the DRO representative to tell a staff member at the... Read more...

December 1, 2017Read More

With your gift, we can help more people like Nancy

There isn't always a big win. Sometimes, it's incremental success. In today's world, it's progress when we keep things from moving backward. We know our work is far from over, and you know it, too. We write today to ask for a gift of $100, $50, $20 or even $10... Read more...

November 27, 2017Read More

Thanks to DRO's pro bono partnership with Nationwide, Gabriel can get the services he needs in the community. #AdvocacyMatters

Gabriel's parents, Stanley and Jean, had given him the best care they could in his youth. However, at 20 years old, conflicts escalated with Gabriel's increasingly aggressive behavior and Stanley's own health challenges. Gabriel was on the waiting list for a Medicaid waiver so that he could live his dream... Read more...

November 22, 2017Read More

His landlords threatened him over his emotional support animal request. We clarified the law so he could bring home his new best friend. #AdvocacyMatters

Stephen had collected everything he thought he needed to request a reasonable accommodation from his landlords to get an emotional support animal. But even after going above and beyond what is legally required by getting a letter from his doctor, they still denied his request, citing a "no pets" policy.... Read more...

November 17, 2017Read More

The Arc of Ohio, The Arc of the United States and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Support Community Integration Class Action Suit

Today, The Arc of Ohio, The Arc of the United States and The Judge David L Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law submitted an amicus brief to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in support of Ball v. Kasich, the class action lawsuit that asserts... Read more...

November 9, 2017Read More

DRO cares about your right to vote. Call our Voter Hotline for help. #AdvocacyMatters

People with disabilities have the right to vote, and Disability Rights Ohio fights to ensure that those votes can be cast. Every Election Day, DRO runs a Voter Hotline, which allows people who are having problems voting to talk directly to a DRO staff member, who can answer their questions.... Read more...

November 2, 2017Read More

Sheila's confusing government letter was made clear, thanks to a little help from DRO. #AdvocacyMatters

Sheila was concerned. She'd gotten a letter in the mail that seemed to say her Medicare benefits would stop at the end of the year, and she wasn't sure why. She called DRO's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program, since she'd worked with our benefits counselors before and thought... Read more...

October 27, 2017Read More

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