Ohio Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network was established to collaboratively address critical issues / barriers affecting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Ohio. The network is comprised of the four programs in Ohio which are considered "sister" program, as they are related under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act , known as the DD Act.
Ohio Programs
University of Cincinnati (UC) University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities UCEED
The University of Cincinnati (UC) University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is one of 67 programs in the US serving as a resource for those involved in education, research and service who are working to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ODDC)
ODDC is a planning and advocacy body committed to community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. State Councils are uniquely composed of individuals with developmental disabilities, parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities, representatives of State agencies that administer funds under Federal laws related to individuals with disabilities, and local and nongovernmental agencies. View other state councils on developmental disabilities.
Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS)
OLRS is an independent state agency and the federally and state designated Protection and Advocacy system and Client Assistance Program for people with disabilities in the State of Ohio. OLRS is part of the national Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program which provides information and referral services and exercises legal, administrative and other remedies to resolve problems for individuals and groups of clients with developmental disabilities. View all state protection and advocacy agencies.
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center
This University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is located in Columbus, Ohio. Both Nisonger Center and the University of Cincinnati UCEDD, are part of a National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service.
UCEDD programs are designed to increase the independence, productivity, and community integration and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their activities fall into four broad categories (Core Functions):
- Conducting interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education
- Promoting exemplary community services
- Conducting research
- Disseminating information to the field
Current Projects
Iin collaboration with state agencies, the Ohio DD Network is currently focusing on the ongoing planning for emergency management / preparedness for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Ohio. Two activities from this past year are:
"Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Management"
This collaborative conference, held December 7, 2006, included a keynote address by Hilary Styron, Director for the National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative. The conference was sponsored by the Columbus Development Foundation, and co-sponsored by:
- Ohio DD Network
- Ohio Emergency Management
- Ohio Departments of Health, MRDD, Mental Health, and Aging
- Governor's Council on People with Disabilities
Participants included:
- People with disabilities
- State and local health and disability agencies
- Providers
- First responders
- American Red Cross
- Other shelter and disaster experts
It marked the first time that state and local emergency management, sheltering and disability communities had come together in Ohio to discuss issues and begin to think about next steps at the state and local levels. Read more about it.
Be Prepared Kit
Working together to develop a kit focusing on daily functioning needs to be used with a wide range of people with a non-typical need were:
- Ohio DD Network
- Ohio Department of Health, MRDD and Aging
- Governor's Council on People with Disabilities
The kit has information and checklists describing why it is important to be prepared, how to get ready to shelter at home, how to get ready for evacuation and shelter stay, and papers and contact information to organize.
More than 100,000 copies of the kit have been disseminated, with at least 40,00 going to individuals with DD and their families. Also, a number of Ohio County Boards of MRDD and some providers are using the kits for individualized planning for emergencies, including reasonable accommodations needed for transportation and sheltering. Learn more about the kit.
Ohio DD Network Newsletter
Information regarding the DD Network and current issues related to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families is disseminated in Ohio through the Ohio DD Council's DD Quarterly Newsletter.
