State Budget: Thank You for Your Advocacy

July 24, 2019 by Disability Rights Ohio / state budget

On July 18th Governor Mike DeWine officially signed Ohio's state budget into law. The Governor's signature gave final confirmation that we had collectively defeated the provision that would have impacted the independence of Disability Rights Ohio (Ohio's State Budget: We Need Your Help) to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

This could not have happened without your support. The calls, letters, and testimony you provided to your legislators helped in protecting the independence of Disability Rights Ohio. We cannot thank you enough.

DRO would also like to thank the organizations and individuals that mobilized either publicly or through grassroots efforts: National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, clients Becky Syner and Shelbi Hindel, DRO Board Members Sue Willis and Walt Asbury, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, University of Cincinnati University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, Ohio Olmstead Task Force, The Arc of Ohio, The Center for Disability Empowerment, the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, Ohio TASH, and many others who weighed in and shared our emails and social media posts to their network.

DRO would like to especially thank Senator Sean O'Brien for submitting the amendment that removed this harmful language. The Senator and his staff were also instrumental in ensuring the language stayed out during Conference Committee. Senator Bob Hackett and Senate and staff leadership also assisted with the removal. Our federal agencies partners and governor level administration officials were additionally very supportive of DRO's important role as Ohio's protection and advocacy organization and client assistance program.

This effort has demonstrated the power of the disability community. When we come together, change can happen. DRO will continue to work hard to be a strong, independent organization that supports and advances the legal, civil, and human rights of people with disabilities.

Thank you. A future blog will focus on the other policy changes in the budget we have covered previously.

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