#AdvocacyMatters: New Perspectives

June 5, 2026 / #AdvocacyMatters

Our work is guided by the unique, lived experiences of our Board of Directors. This board is currently made up of 14 active and experienced advocates - including individuals with disabilities, family members of individuals with disabilities, and professionals from all over Ohio.

This past weekend, board members converged on DRO’s offices in Columbus not just to discuss normal business, but to facilitate important conversations with allied organizations. Joining us were leaders from The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, The Ohio Olmstead Taskforce, the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council, Independence Alliance, the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, the ARC of Ohio, the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio.

These panel discussions were split into 2 separate panels: Disability & Intersectionality, and provided excellent opportunities to discuss the ways we all approach our work… methods and structure, successes and challenges.

This meeting was also the first in-person meeting for our three newest board members.

“Seeing advocates from various backgrounds come together and sharing their thoughts and opinions in safe environments is always fulfilling,” said Bhuwan Pyakurel, a new DRO Board Member. “It’s wonderful to see how we all can grow together when getting pushed into certain areas and come out with new insights.”

“It was important to me to meet the other members of the Board, talk about advocacy priorities and think through ways we can make substantive change for fellow disabled Ohioans,” added Davey McNelly, another new board members.

“There are so many factors and nuances that impact accessibility," reflected Emily Savors, our third new board member. “Even as someone who has expressly tried to learn about accessibility, there were times in the meeting that I was surprised by something I had never known before. Of course, this means there is so much broad community education that is needed."

The needs that drive our work are large and ever-growing. By continuing to engage with allied organizations – and welcoming fresh perspectives and lived experiences – we can grow our work, maximize our impact, and bring our ultimate goals closer to reality.

#AdvocacyMatters