The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council is made up of over 30 members, with the majority being individuals with developmental disabilities, and parents and guardians of people with developmental disabilities who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio. By the direction of our members, the Ohio DD Council funds grant projects that aim to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities with an emphasis on self-determination, diversity and inclusion. Our mission is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life.

Learn more about the Ohio DD Council

Inclusive recreation and the importance of play

Ohio DD Talks is a podcast series featuring conversations from Ohioans with developmental disabilities. New episodes are launched each month. 

Latest podcast: Susan Monegan, founder of Mila's Hope and Rowyn's Dreams Playground, talks about what it took the create the first all inclusive playground in Portage County, Ohio. She also spoke on inclusive recreation and why play is important for kids with and without disabilities. Watch the podcast on YouTube.

Apply to become an Ohio Tech Ambassador

In January 2021, the Southern Ohio Council of Governments (SOCOG) launched the Ohio Tech Ambassador Network, a program promoting how adaptive technology use enhances lives and independence for people with developmental disabilities. They are currently recruiting additional Tech Ambassadors to their team.

One of their primary goals is promoting assistive technology and remote supports to facilitate more independence for people with developmental disabilities. They are looking for motivated individuals comfortable with making presentations, sharing personal experiences related to assistive technologies, remote supports and advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and teams.

They have an urgent need for ambassadors for northeastern Ohio, but anyone interested should apply. This is a paid position. Questions should be emailed to info@ohiotechambassadors.org.

For more information:

• Read the Position Description
• Fill out the Employment Application

Aging and Disability Transportation Forum Series

Ohio DD Council Digest is the DD Council's official blog. Each month, we aim to provide you with information and news that is important to Ohioans with developmental disabilities.

September blog: Transportation has always been an issue, especially for those who are aging or have a disability. What can be done to improve this vital need? The Ohio Aging and Disability Coalition (an initiative of the Services for Independent Living) aims to answer this question and provide information to help others to take action through a series of forums.  Read more about the Aging and Disability Transportation Forum Series.

SIL accepting applications for Leadership Academy

Services for Independent Living (SIL) is accepting applications for its Virtual Fall/Winter 2021 Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is an eight-week course designed to help people with disabilities gain skills needed to participate on nonprofit boards, community coalitions, task forces, and/or system change committees in a meaningful way. The goal of the academy is to increase the number of persons with disabilities prepared to engage in community leadership roles.

The Fall/Winter 2021 session will begin on Tuesday October 19, 2021 and end on Tuesday December 14, 2021. Classes will be held weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm. (except for Tuesday November 23rd). All classes will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. Upon completion of the Leadership Academy, SIL will work with participants to identify areas of interest and potential leadership opportunities. Please review the flyer for more details: PDF version and Word version. 

The deadline for applications is October 8, 2021. If you would like an application and/or if you have any questions, please contact Laura Gold via email at lgold@sil-oh.org or via telephone at 216-815-0015 (please leave a detailed message). 

This project was supported, in part by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, under grant number 2001OHSCDD from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.