DRO, partners notify Ohio officials: State DD system violates Americans with Disabilities Act
For the past 18 months, Disability Rights Ohio attorneys and advocates have been engaged in an extensive review of the system of residential services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ohio. Read more...
July 3, 2014Read More
DRO joins national advocacy organizations in support of employees who report patient abuse
Disability Rights Ohio, AARP, National Disability Rights Network, National Senior Citizens Law Center, and National Health Law Program filed a friend of the court brief with the Supreme Court of Ohio in support of Patricia Hulsmeyer, whose wrongful termination lawsuit alleges that she was fired in retaliation for reporting patient... Read more...
July 2, 2014Read More
Disability Rights Ohio - June 2014 newsletter is now up!
The Disability Rights Ohio June newsletter is now up! Read more...
July 2, 2014Read More
DRO issues comments on proposed changes to Ohio's guardianship system
Disability Rights Ohio has issued comments on the proposed amendments to the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio governing adult guardianships. Read more...
June 26, 2014Read More
DRO planning outreach events to answer healthcare questions
Disability Rights Ohio is an approved Navigator for the Healthcare Marketplace. This means we can provide information and assistance for individuals with disabilities who have questions about their healthcare coverage options and how the new healthcare law impacts them. Read more...
June 2, 2014Read More
Changes needed to guardianship system -- and other news from Disability Rights Ohio
Our May 2014 newsletter is now available! Read more...
May 30, 2014Read More
DRO Voter Education Opportunity
Disability Rights Ohio is launching a campaign to help people with disabilities understand their voting rights and the voting process. Read more...
May 28, 2014Read More
After homicide, Disability Rights Ohio calls for action to end the use of dangerous restraints
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has determined that the death of 15-year-old Kenneth Barkley was a homicide caused by traumatic asphyxiation during a physical restraint used by staff of the group home where he was a resident. Read more...
May 22, 2014Read More
Law School Admission Council agrees to allow accommodations to test takers, provide compensation to those denied
The Department of Justice has announced a settlement with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) over testing accommodations on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Read more...
May 21, 2014Read More
DRO Voter Information and Hotline to be open Voting Day, Tuesday, May 6
Voting Day in Ohio is Tuesday, May 6. Check with your local board of elections for specific information, including early voting options, voting times and locations. Read more...
May 5, 2014Read More
Our April 2014 newsletter is up!
Our April 2014 newsletter is now available! Read more...
April 30, 2014Read More
Court rules guardians can appeal Department of Medicaid decisions without an attorney
After losing at the state administrative level, Kimberly Forbes filed for court review of the decision regarding the level of services on her daughter’s Medicaid home and community services waiver. Rather than addressing the issues in the case, Medicaid’s lawyer, an assistant attorney general, asked the court to dismiss the... Read more...
April 9, 2014Read More
Disability Rights Ohio's March Newsletter is here!
This month's newsletter is now available. Read more...
March 24, 2014Read More
Are you experiencing a denial or delay of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services?
Are you experiencing a denial or delay of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services (example: being told to wait for services, being told to take a break from a work placement, or similar situations)? Have you been told that this is due to a funding restriction or other problem? If so, please... Read more...
March 20, 2014Read More
Disability Rights Ohio issues investigative report on Rose Mary Center
Disability Rights Ohio has issued a report on its investigation of Rose Mary Center, a 42-bed facility in Cuyahoga County for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland. Read more...
March 11, 2014Read More
Ruth Colker addresses House Bills 333 and 334 in Plain Dealer op-ed
Ruth Colker, DRO Board member and Distinguished University Professor at the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, wrote an op-ed for the Cleveland Plain Dealer to share how Ohio legislators are seeking to limit enforcement of parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Education... Read more...
March 6, 2014Read More
Check out what's happening at DRO - February 2014 Newsletter
Our February newsletter is now available. Read more...
February 24, 2014Read More
Disability Rights Ohio scores major victory in case of Gibson v. Forest Hills School District
For over four years, Disability Rights Ohio represented Chloe Gibson, a student with autism, a seizure disorder and moderate cognitive impairment, and fought to help her actively pursue an education and make progress toward achieving her goal of gaining customized supported employment in an integrated setting after graduation. Read more...
February 21, 2014Read More
Disability Rights Ohio Applauds Introduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act
Disability Rights Ohio applauds the introduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act, a comprehensive legislative measure aimed at establishing standards and limitations on the use of restraint and seclusion interventions in school settings. Read more...
February 13, 2014Read More
Ohio Olmstead Task Force joins oppostion to HB 333
The Ohio Olmstead Task Force, a statewide coalition of individuals and disability rights advocates, recently sent a letter to Representative Michael Stinziano, expressing concerns with HB 333, legislative measure he introduced that would single out people with disabilities and require additional notice and time delays prior to the filing of... Read more...
February 4, 2014Read More
Check out our January 2014 newsletter!
Our January newsletter is now up! Read more...
January 29, 2014Read More
Stinziano Bill (HB 333) Would Harm Disability Community
Members of the disability community will offer strong opposition testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on HB 333, a bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus). The hearing is set for Wednesday, January 22 at 4 p.m. in Room 122 of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Read more...
January 21, 2014Read More
Those eligible for Medicaid under Ohio's expansion must reapply on state website
Due to technical difficulties, the federal health insurance exchange website, healthcare.gov, cannot send applications for Medicaid to the Ohio Department of Medicaid. The Ohio Department of Medicaid is encouraging everyone who thinks they may be eligible for Medicaid to complete an application for Medicaid on the Ohio Department of Medicaid... Read more...
January 15, 2014Read More
Blind student files discrimination suit against Miami University
With the assistance of the National Federation of the Blind, Aleeha Dudley, a blind student pursuing a degree in zoology with hopes of attending veterinary school, has filed suit (case number: 1:14-CV-00038) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against Miami University for discriminating against... Read more...
January 13, 2014Read More
DRO negotiates services for Ohio inmates
Eleven inmates who are blind or have a visual impairment and are incarcerated in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DRC) system are receiving services and accommodation for their disabilities. Staff from Disability Rights Ohio (formerly Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS)) negotiated with the DRC to provide accommodations and... Read more...
January 13, 2014Read More
Rep. Stinziano’s ADA compliance bill (HB 333) will discourage compliance, eliminate legal remedies and penalize members of the disability community
Representative Michael Stinziano recently introduced HB 333. Read more...
January 9, 2014Read More
Sign up for health insurance by midnight tomorrow for Jan. 1 coverage
Tomorrow at midnight is the deadline to register for health insurance coverage if you would like your plan under the Affordable Care Act to start on Jan. 1. Those who miss the deadline will still be able to avoid penalties if they sign up for coverage by March. Read more...
December 23, 2013Read More
Medicaid expansion is here to stay in Ohio!
On Friday, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the State Controlling Board acted legally when they accepted federal money to expand Medicaid to those making 138% of the federal poverty level, an estimated 275,000 Ohioans. Read more...
December 23, 2013Read More
Law firm Steptoe & Johnson, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law join Doe v. State of Ohio case as co-counsel
Disability Rights Ohio announces that law firm Steptoe & Johnson and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, both based in Washington, D.C., have joined its Doe v. State of Ohio lawsuit as co-counsel. Their addition will help Disability Rights Ohio bring this 20-year-old case to a successful resolution for... Read more...
December 16, 2013Read More
New report outlines experiences of voters with disabilities in 2012 election
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a new report, outlining the current status of voting access for people with disabilities in the United States. NCD, the National Disability Rights Network and EIN SOF Communications worked together to compile the experiences of nearly 900 voters with disabilities during the... Read more...
October 24, 2013Read More
DRO investigation continues after Parmadale placed on probation following sexual abuse allegations
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has reported that Parmadale Institute has been placed on Probation by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a result of sexual abuse and other allegations. Parmadale Institute is an 80-bed children’s residential facility in Cuyahoga County. Read more...
October 23, 2013Read More
Is your new assistive device a lemon? You may be eligible for a refund
Has your assistive device dealer tried to fix the same problem at least three times without success? Has your assistive device been in the shop for more than 45 days? Under Ohio’s Assistive Device Lemon Law, you may be entitled to a refund or a replacement device. Read more...
October 21, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio returns to full operations
With Congress passing a continuing resolution to fund the federal government, Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is now back to full operations. Read more...
October 17, 2013Read More
State Controlling Board to vote on Medicaid expansion Monday, October 21
A select group of members of the Ohio General Assembly who serve on the state's Controlling Board will determine whether Medicaid will be expanded in Ohio. Read more...
October 16, 2013Read More
Health Insurance Marketplace to open Tuesday, October 1
The Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace will open on Tuesday, October 1. The marketplace is designed to help people who don't have any health insurance or want to find a lower cost option. Read more...
September 27, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio makes difficult choice as possible federal shutdown looms
Because Disability Rights Ohio is concerned about the possible federal government shutdown on October 1, 2013, and unavailability of additional funding for the upcoming year, we will be forced to manage our remaining funds in a conservative and efficient way. Read more...
September 23, 2013Read More
Murphy Vetter, a child in PLEAS case, is first with special needs to play football in Olentangy Youth Athletic Association
Murphy Vetter was one of 123 children in the lawsuit Disability Rights Ohio brought on behalf of the Parents League for Effective Autism Services (PLEAS) against the Ohio Department of Mental Health and the Department of Job and Family Services in 2008. The case was settled in 2011. Read more...
September 16, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio one of several groups awarded grant funding to help public navigate insurance exchanges
Disability Rights Ohio is one of several organizations across the state to be awarded part of a $3 million federal "navigator" grant that will help people navigate the new health insurance exchanges. Read more...
August 16, 2013Read More
Bagenstos speaks to Disability Rights Ohio staff on current, future trends in disability law
Disability Rights Ohio welcomed Professor Sam Bagenstos to Columbus on Thursday, August 15. Bagenstos is currently a Professor at the University of Michigan Law School. Read more...
August 16, 2013Read More
Can't meet us in person? Call into our Listening Session on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Disability Rights Ohio is setting the priorities for its work in the upcoming year, and we want to hear from you! Read more...
August 13, 2013Read More
Board member Ruth Colker to speak Tuesday at Columbus Urban League
Disability Rights Ohio Board member Ruth Colker, professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, at the Columbus Urban League, 788 Mount Vernon Ave., Columbus, OH 43203. Read more...
August 12, 2013Read More
Save the Date! Disability Rights Ohio to travel the state on Listening Tour starting August 12
Disability Rights Ohio is setting the priorities for its work in the upcoming year, and we want to hear from you! We will be setting off on a Listening Tour around the state August 12-28, visiting 10 locations. Read more...
August 2, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio attorney David Scott has an 'activist's resume' as President of Sierra Club Board
Disability Rights Ohio attorney David Scott has been involved with the Sierra Club for decades, and on May 18 was elected President of the environmental group's Board of Directors. Read more...
July 31, 2013Read More
Happy 23rd Anniversary to the Americans with Disabilities Act!
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, the first civil rights legislation of its kind in the world. The law gives civil rights protections to people with disabilities and guarantees equal opportunities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government... Read more...
July 26, 2013Read More
TOPS intern Adam Moss on road to success at Ohio State University
Adam, who will turn 20 in May, came to us through the Nisonger Center's Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings for Students with Intellectual and Development Disabilities Program, otherwise known as TOPS. The program aims to give transition-aged individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to experience college and, hopefully,... Read more...
April 19, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio Board of Directors elects five new members
On Tuesday, April 9, the Disability Rights Ohio Board of Directors elected five new members who have a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise, including civil rights law, program administration, and disability-related consumer advocacy. Read more...
April 16, 2013Read More
Sponsor testimony set for next week on SB 43, HB 104
Two Ohio legislative committees will hear sponsor testimony next week on Senate Bill 43 and House Bill 104, which would exand the use of involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient treatment for individuals with mental illness in our state. Read more...
April 5, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio sends letter to Senator Burke on Ohio Senate Bill 43
Disability Rights Ohio outlined its position on Senate Bill 43 (now also House Bill 104) in the following letter, sent to State Senator Dave Burke on March 20, 2013. If passed, the bill would would amend Ohio’s involuntary commitment laws by expanding the use of involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient... Read more...
April 4, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio wins attorneys' fees in voter accommodation case
The Southern District Court of Ohio recently awarded Disability Rights Ohio attorneys’ fees and costs in an important case affirming the rights of voters with disabilities. Read more...
April 1, 2013Read More
Read full transcripts of advocate testimony at ODE seclusion and restraint rule hearing
The ACLU of Ohio has posted full transcripts of all advocate testimony given at the March 12 Ohio Department of Education hearing on seclusion and restraint. Read more...
March 27, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio creates FAQ for Senate Bill 43
Senate Bill 43 (SB 43) is a legislative measure that would amend Ohio’s involuntary commitment laws by expanding the use of involuntary commitment and assisted outpatient treatment for individuals with mental illness. Read more...
March 22, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio TTY phones are back up
The Disability Rights Ohio TTY phones are now working again. If you need our assistance, call our intake department at 614-466-7264 or 800-282-9181/(TTY) 614-728-2553 or 800-858-3542 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can leave a message 24 hours a day. Read more...
March 21, 2013Read More
Executive Director Michael Kirkman testifies before Ohio House subcommittee
This afternoon, Disability Rights Ohio Executive Director Michael Kirkman testified before the Ohio House Finance and Appropriations, Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Read more...
March 12, 2013Read More
Chief Legal Counsel Sue Tobin testifies on seclusion and restraint rule
This morning, Disability Rights Ohio Chief Legal Counsel Sue Tobin testified before the Ohio Department of Education regarding the seclusion and restraint rule. Read more...
March 12, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio - March 2013 newsletter is up!
This month's newsletter is now up! Read more...
March 11, 2013Read More
Ohio Department of Education begins formal process to adopt Seclusion and Restraint rule; Public hearing planned for March 12, 2013
The long-awaited rule to limit the use of seclusion and restraint interventions in public schools and to implement positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) was filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) on February 8, 2013. Read more...
February 13, 2013Read More
After ODE finds no violation of student rights in Columbus City Schools, Disability Rights Ohio issues letter requesting staff development
After Columbus City Schools refused to remove the doors of seclusion rooms in response to Disability Rights Ohio's investigative report, Disability Rights Ohio and a parent of an 18-year-old student who has autism filed a formal written complaint with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Read more...
February 8, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio applauds Governor Kasich’s budget plan to expand Medicaid and simplify the eligibility process
A proposal to expand Medicaid and simplify its eligibility process has been included in Governor Kasich’s executive budget request for state fiscal years 2014-2015. Read more...
February 6, 2013Read More
News from Disability Rights Ohio - February 2013 now up!
This month's newsletter is now up! Read more...
February 5, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio continues to monitor state school funding proposal, its impact on Doe case
Yesterday, Gov. John Kasich's administration described a new “student-focused” system of school funding. The administration claims that no school district will see a funding decrease over the next two years and that state spending on K-12 programs will increase by 6.7% and 4.1% in respective years of the upcoming biennium... Read more...
February 1, 2013Read More
Help us keep the victories coming! Donate online to Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio can now accept donations via PayPal. You can find the PayPal button on our Donate page. Please consider making a donation yourself or come up with a creative way to raise money for our cause. Thank you so much for your support! Read more...
January 24, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio declares victory in groundbreaking case: Right to counsel for those under guardianship upheld by Ohio Supreme Court
oday, the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the right of individuals under guardianship to be represented by a court-appointed lawyer during review hearings to determine whether they continue to need a guardian. Disability Rights Ohio brought this case on behalf of Mr. James McQueen, who resides in a locked nursing... Read more...
January 16, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio speaks to Channel 4 News about state's expected seclusion, restraint policy
The Ohio Department of Education subcommittee crafting the policy and rule regarding the use of seclusion and restraint on students in Ohio's schools met yesterday to make some final changes, and Disability Rights Ohio was in attendance. Read more...
January 15, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio issues statement on ODE seclusion and restraint policy, rule
The Ohio Department of Education is expected to approve a policy and a rule next week that would create statewide standards around seclusion and restraint of students in schools. Disability Rights Ohio has released the following statement from its Chief Legal Counsel Sue Tobin: Read more...
January 9, 2013Read More
New on our website: Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid
Navigating Ohio's Medicaid program can be very complicated and confusing. To help answer some of the most common questions, Disability Rights Ohio has created a Frequently Asked Questions about Medicaid. Read more...
January 4, 2013Read More
Governor Kasich signs into law H.B. 27, the Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act
In January 2011, Representatives Peter Stautberg and Tom Letson introduced H.B. 27, a legislative measure authorizing the state of Ohio to adopt the Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. Read more...
January 3, 2013Read More
Disability Rights Ohio committed to helping people with communication disabilities get speech-generating devices
Speech-generating devices (SGDs) can be life-changing to individuals with communication disabilities. Thanks to this kind of assistive technology, SGD users can create sentences or select from pre-set messages to talk with others. Read more...
December 28, 2012Read More
Support the International Disability Rights Treaty
The U.S. Senate will soon hold a vote to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Over 140 other countries have already ratified this treaty. The CRPD is important to the disability community, and U.S. Senate ratification of the treaty will help raise accessibility... Read more...
December 18, 2012Read More
Autism experts say no evidence of link between Asperger's and violence like in Connecticut
It's been stated that Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old gunman in the Connecticut school shooting had Asperger's which has initiated much discussion about a link between mental illness and violence. Read more...
December 17, 2012Read More
Just launched!: 2012 Survey on emergency communications and people with disabilities
The Wireless RERC's Consumer Research Team has just launched a new survey on emergency communications for people with disabilities. Read more...
December 4, 2012Read More
Disability Rights Ohio files formal complaint against Columbus City Schools
Disability Rights Ohio filed a formal written complaint with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). The complaint alleges individual and system-wide violations of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Read more...
November 26, 2012Read More
Forty years of helping people in need
The Social Security Amendments of 1972 created a new federal benefit program for people in need. This month, that program " the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program " celebrates its 40th anniversary. Read more...
November 20, 2012Read More
Disability Rights Ohio obtains win for voter
On Friday, November 16, 2012, a federal judge ruled that a voter with a disability who had been confined to a hospital on election day and had not received her requested absentee ballot on time, would have her vote counted in this General Election. Read more...
November 20, 2012Read More
Disability Rights Ohio worked as liaison to SABE USA for their voting project
Disability Rights Ohio is pleased to have acted as a liaison to Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) USA for their voting project. Read more...
November 19, 2012Read More
Voting and emergency hospitalizations
Were you or someone you know unable to vote on Election Day because of an emergency hospitalization? Does this make you want to plan ahead and vote by absentee ballot or vote early and in person in case a medical emergency occurs on or near Election Day in the... Read more...
November 13, 2012Read More
Disability Rights Ohio provides voters assistance with election day hotline
Every election, Disability Rights Ohio has a voting hotline during polling hours on election day. On Tuesday’s general election, the hotline received sixteen calls. Attorneys from Disability Rights Ohio provided assistance and advice to each caller. Read more...
November 7, 2012Read More
Voting for Sandy first responders denied
It has come to our attention that first responders (Red Cross staff, volunteers and utility repair crews) may not be able to vote due to the fact that they left their states to help with the devastation of hurricane Sandy. Read more...
November 6, 2012Read More
Complete a brief questionnaire to share your voting experience with the National Council on Disability
The 2012 General Election is today, and the National Council on Disability (NCD) wants to hear from you! Read more...
November 6, 2012Read More
Make Your Voice Count. Go Vote!
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered created a video where people with developmental disabilities speak about what's important to them, created by Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. Read more...
November 2, 2012Read More
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