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In this issue:

About the DD Quarterly

Copyright © 2008, Content may be reprinted upon request.

Are You Prepared to Vote?

Election Day, November 4, 2008, is just a few weeks away. By now, you have made the final preparations to protect and assure your right to vote — you have registered to vote, received notification of your voting place, called ahead to make sure the building and voting booths are accessible, made arrangements for assistance to cast your ballot, arranged for transportation to the polls and have an acceptable form of identification. Now what?

Know the Candidates, Know the Issues

Along with the right to vote, you have a civic responsibility to know the candidates and issues. Informed voting requires study, thought and reflection in advance of casting your ballot. Do not wait until entering the voting booth to start thinking about how to vote. Find out which candidates and what issues will be on the ballot before Election Day.

This election, voters will elect the president and vice president of the United States and candidates for other federal, state, district and county offices. Tia Braun, secretary of People First of Ohio, said "It is my right and responsibility to vote. It is important to vote for whom you believe in." There are also five statewide issues (four proposed constitutional amendments and a referendum) on the ballot and issues specific to your locale — levies, initiatives and bond issues.

"By voting, I can help make change on local issues that affect me directly. If I choose not to vote, then I cannot complain about the issues I don't agree with," Braun added.

There are several places where you can get information about candidates and issues. The Secretary of State (SOS) maintains lists of all federal, statewide, General Assembly, county candidates and local issues. Your local county board of elections also provides information about what candidates and issues will appear on your local ballot. Visit the What's on the ballot? section of the SOS website for more information. Another source of voting information can be found at the county democratic or republican party office. A listing of these offices can be found at the Ohio Democratic Party or Ohio Republican Party websites.

In addition to disability-specific issues, people with disabilities share the concerns of all citizens at election time — the economy, wars, education, taxes, immigration, the environment, employment, poverty and health care, to name a few. Once you've become acquainted with the ballot, learn more about how the candidates and how the issues address the concerns that are important to you. One resource is a comparison chart developed by the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) of the presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues. The chart is available on the OLRS website: 2008 Presidential Candidate Positions on Disability-related Issues.

Bill Mann, president of People First of Shelby County, spoke about an issue important to him, employment and people with disabilities. Mann stated, "Jobs for people with disabilities are very difficult to get. Some of the problems are out sourcing of jobs to other countries. What big corporations don't realize is the economic value of providing jobs to individuals with disabilities. It is not only the money that is important to us, but the pride and satisfaction that we too can do quality work."

The Importance of Voting

Mann, expressing concern that people with disabilities are not registered to vote, also added, "Of the approximately 54 million individuals with a disability, only 35 million are registered to vote. So, if you want to have a say in how your country is run, get registered and vote." John Hanna, former president of People First of Ohio stated on the significance of voting, "I think it is very important for people with disabilities to vote. Voting shows candidates that we are a group who needs to be recognized and that issues are important to us. We are all able to cast one vote whether it be on the local or federal level, and that is something no one can take away from us."

Bill Adams, board member and sergeant at arms of People First of Ohio, acknowledged that even if the topic you gave your opinion about doesn't pass, it is always better to stand up for what you believe in, than doing nothing at all. "It shows your community that you are dedicated to getting involved in something you believe in and that you cared enough for it. You have the voice to stand up for things that are important to you!"

Early Voting and Absentee Voting

In Ohio, there are two ways to vote before Election Day: voting at an early voting site or casting an absentee ballot.

Registered voters can vote early at an early voting site to avoid long lines and extended waiting times on Election Day. In most counties, the board of elections is the early voting site. Franklin, Hardin, Knox, Lucas and Summit counties have alternative sites. Visit the Early Voting Locations for Ohio's 88 Counties section of the SOS website for a map with links to early voting locations and hours.

Voters also have the option to use an absentee ballot. Voting by absentee ballot allows registered voters to cast their vote without going to their official polling place on Election Day. You do not have to give a reason why you want to vote absentee. Mail your absentee ballot with a postmark of no later than November 3, or return it in person to your local county board of elections by Election Day, November 4. Do not drop your absentee ballot off at your polling location because it will not be counted.

For more details about the early vote and absentee vote requirements, contact your local board of elections.

Contact OLRS with Voter Rights Complaints

If you experience problems on Election Day, you can contact the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) Election Hot Line for assistance. OLRS staff will be available to respond to your questions and concerns. The Hot Line will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can call (614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181 for voter assistance.

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Chairman's Message

by Michael Scholl, Chairman of ODDC

My two year appointment as chairman of ODDC expired on September 30, so this is my last chairman's message. My tenure passed in the blink of the proverbial eye, and what an exciting time it has been. The highlight, of course, was the implementation of Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities.

As I recall my first message, I commented with anticipation on the potential for change through the leadership of Governor Strickland and Director Martin of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD). I have not been disappointed. Recently, the governor called for a gathering with ODDC, other groups with appointees from the governor and the directors of related state agencies. The purpose of the meeting was to determine if there are issues relevant to all the groups for which his office could offer assistance. The meeting was unprecedented and is a clear indication that the governor is concerned about issues important to the disability community. Future meetings are being planned.

I have had numerous dealings with Director Martin over the past two years and he has always been helpful and supportive of ODDC. His efforts on behalf of ODDC and the people we serve are greatly appreciated. Through ODMRDD's Futures Committee, Director Martin developed a set of potential projects that, if implemented, should provide a better future for individuals with disabilities in Ohio. Based on my experience, the future looks bright under the continued leadership of Director Martin and Governor Strickland.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me during my tenure on Council, including the members and staff of ODDC, the director's office at ODMRDD (and I look forward to the name change when "MR" is dropped from "ODMRDD") and the governor's office. Most of all, I would like to thank David Zwyer, former executive director of ODDC. His counsel and support have been invaluable over the years. I wish David the best of luck in all future endeavors. He will be missed.

For everyone else, I have been truly impressed with your passion and commitment to our important causes. Keep fighting the good fight and never give up. There is no limit to the successes that can be achieved.

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Advocates Take Action to Remove Harmful Words

by Paul Jarvis, ODDC

Mark Twain once said, "The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug."

Self-advocates in southeast Ohio must have figured those right words out this summer when they convinced the Athens County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to change their name to the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The move added Athens to a growing list of counties which are rejecting the negative connotation that comes with the term "mental retardation."

The effort to change the name of the county board didn't stop at the border of Athens County. Self-advocates asked ODDC to join them in encouraging statewide support of a name change. Although a county board can decide to do business as a county board of developmental disabilities, the board will still be recognized in statute as a county board of mental retardation and development disabilities.

In July, advocates presented a compelling story not only to members of ODDC, but also to State Representative Jimmy Stewart. What they said made sense to ODDC, who voted to support the effort to change the name statewide, and to Stewart, who promised to introduce legislation to strip the terms from state and local agency titles.

Bills Introduced

Stewart and Dayton-area Representative Fred Strahorn joined forces in September by introducing two bills to change the name of the Ohio and county agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. They unveiled their bills at the annual Ohio Self Determination Association conference.

"We know Ohio is one of just six states that still utilize the term 'mental retardation,'" Strahorn said, "We believe it is high time to be more sensitive to these valued citizens."

Stewart has listened to self-advocates before. During budget deliberations in 2007, he chaired the Budget Subcommittee with oversight of Medicaid items. Advocates called on Stewart to support Medicaid Buy-In, an issue they had spent years educating him about. Medicaid Buy-In was included as part of Ohio's two-year operating budget.

Public Policy Sites in Southeast Ohio

In conjunction with the PersonnelPlus Consumer Advisory Council located in Athens, many of the advocates who helped change the status quo in Athens are part of ODDC's project known as the Centers for Public Policy. The ODDC Center for Public Policy in southeast Ohio conducts monthly meetings for advocates to receive training and public policy updates, discuss issues and ideas about public policy and to create strategies to develop working relationships with their elected officials.

Advocates from Athens and surrounding counties receive support and assistance from HAVAR, Inc. HAVAR is a non-profit organization that provides community-based supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to the Center in Athens, HAVAR, Inc. also operates a Washington County Center for Public Policy in Marietta. Recent efforts there include voter registration and accessibility at the polls. Advocates met with staff from Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office in September to discuss the upcoming election.

If you are interested in joining one of the southeast Ohio public policy sites, contact Marty Zinn at martyz@havar.org for more information.

Other Public Policy Centers in Ohio

If you would like more information about other Centers for Public Policy, contact Paul Jarvis at paul.jarvis@dmr.state.oh.us or one of these public policy sites:

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Over 1,100 Enrolled in Medicaid Buy-In

by John R. Corlett, Ohio Medicaid Director

Six months ago, Ohio launched the Medicaid Buy In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) program, an Ohio Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to working Ohioans with disabilities. MBIWD was created to encourage Ohioans with disabilities to work and still keep their health care coverage.

As of August 2008, 1,100 people were enrolled in the program. I attribute this success to the ongoing partnership of Ohio's 88 county departments of job and family services, numerous advocates in the disability and employment community, and staff of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, who have worked over the past six months to get the word out, troubleshoot, and help potentially eligible people to enroll.

Who Is enrolled?

What's behind these caseload numbers? Of the 1,100 participants, 499 are paying a premium for their Medicaid coverage, and the remaining 601 have no premium payments. About 70 percent of enrollees are also enrolled in some portion of the federal Medicare program. In terms of demographics, slightly more men than women are enrolled, and about three-fourths are Caucasian and unmarried, with an average age of 42. Geographically, the largest number of enrollees, 197, live in Hamilton County. The next largest enrollments have occurred in Cuyahoga (162), followed by Summit (83), Montgomery (66), Franklin (59) and Lorain (53) counties.

Since the MBIWD program started, only 40 people have discontinued their enrollment.

Program Changes Lives

While these statistics are helpful, we are very excited to see how dramatically the MBIWD program has changed people's lives. In just the first six months, it is clear the program has greatly improved participants' quality of life by dramatically reducing their spending on health care.

For example, one individual, before applying for MBIWD, was working 40 hours a week for $12.91 an hour with no health insurance. He received an additional $379 a month in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. To obtain health coverage from Medicaid, he paid $510 a month in Medicaid spend down. After enrolling in MBIWD, he pays a $61 monthly premium to receive Medicaid health care coverage.

Another person works 40 hours a week for $13.50 an hour. The employer offered health coverage, but it did not cover all of her needed services. She enrolled in a Medicaid waiver to receive these necessary services; however, the patient liability to obtain Medicaid coverage was almost half of her $1,174 net monthly income. After enrolling in MBIWD, she was able to obtain Medicaid health care coverage for a monthly premium payment of $84.

I invite you to share your stories of success, as well as your suggestions for how, together, we can continue to improve MBIWD for working Ohioans.

MBIWD Success Story

DD Quarterly asked ODDC member and MBIWD beneficiary Courtney Jordan what impact the MBIWD program had on her life. For Jordan, MBIWD has been beneficial. "I enrolled in Medicaid Buy-In in May, right when it started. I was enrolled in the Ohio Home Care waiver program and before Medicaid Buy-In, I was paying $901 a month in Medicaid spend down. Since enrolling in the program, I only have to pay $95.00 a month."

Although she has fewer disability related expenses, she does not qualify for as many benefits, such as subsidized housing. "This is OK with me," said Jordan. "It feels good to be freer of red tape."

Jordan also believes that MBIWD has increased her professional opportunities. Jordon currently works full-time for the Medina County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. "I already have a good job with the board. I would like to stay and advance to a higher paying position. I now feel like it would be worth my while to do that because Medicaid Buy-In allows me to save more of my salary."

Jordan hopes the day will come when she doesn't need the support she receives from the MBIWD program. "Hopefully, someday I might be able to pay for my home health care without having to use Medicaid," said Jordan.

Jordan serves on the MBIWD Advisory Council which was established in state law to advise the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in the creation and implementation of the MBIWD program. The Advisory Council represents a cross section of the state's disability advocates and organizations, including ODDC and DD Partner, Ohio Legal Rights Service.

MBIWD Resources

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ODMRDD Seeks Comments on Futures Draft Deliverables

The Futures Committee of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD) issued a Phase One Progress Report in August. Seventeen deliverables were presented as drafts in the report and are currently available for public review.

What do you think?

How do you think Ohio's system of developmental disabilities services and supports should be designed? What do you need to live a full life? Whose ideas should matter most when decisions are made? ODMRDD is starting to implement some of the deliverables, but continues to accept comments from the public. Submit your suggestions and input about the draft deliverables to: futuresfeedback@odmrdd.state.oh.us

Draft Deliverables

Some of the draft deliverables that may be of particular interest to people with developmental disabilities and their families are highlighted below.

Draft deliverable 2: Develop a "New Futures" waiver available to 100 children for the first three years of the waiver. The waiver will provide services to support community inclusion.

Draft deliverable 3: Use multi-media materials to assist individuals and families to understand and obtain services and supports. These include ongoing website updates with a tour of the site, an online family chat and published documents.

Draft deliverable 4: Improve the online provider directory for accuracy and usefulness. The online directory is on the ODMRDD website: Provider Search System.

Draft deliverable 7: Use one Individual Service Plan (ISP). The draft ISP is on the ODMRDD website: MRDD Futures Implementation Phase One Progress Report - Deliverable 7 (PDF file).

Draft deliverable 8: Will have one waiting list that will be based on individuals' service needs. The date on the list would remain the date of the original request.

Draft deliverable 9: Develop state and county board strategic plans, and encourage regional partnerships. The process for strategic planning will include the involvement of individuals and families in the planning, approval and delivery of services. The strategic planning process will begin with boards setting baselines in 11 priority categories through an online survey. Survey results will include reports about numbers of people who are waiting for housing, have self-directed ISPs with individual budgets, belong to a self-advocacy organization, have aversive behavior plans, are employed in communities, and how many counties have individual/family advisory councils. Plans will focus on individual planning and Service and Support Administration roles and functions, increased emphasis around employment and community involvement.

Draft deliverable 11: Contract with the Ohio Disability Housing Network, an association of housing corporations with experience in housing for people with disabilities, to develop a state housing strategy and recommendations, and to assist county boards to prepare local housing plans. In addition, integrate the needs of people with developmental disabilities into the housing plan being developed by the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing.

Draft deliverable 12: Implement the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) National Core Indicators (NCI). ODMRDD entered into a contract to implement the NCI Consumer and Family Surveys and develop a systematic approach to performance and outcome measurements of health, welfare and rights and system performance.

Draft deliverable 13: Measure customer satisfaction. ODMRDD is using the Participant Experience Survey that includes sections on respect/dignity, access to care, and community integration and inclusion, and is compatible with NCI domains (see Deliverable 12). Service and Support Administration receive a summary of positive outcomes and follow-up needs.

About the Futures Committee

The Futures Committee was created by Governor Strickland, the Ohio General Assembly and members of the developmental disabilities community in 2007. The Committee's purposes were to review Ohio's developmental disability system of services and supports, and recommend how a future system can be funded. Subcommittees provided 31 recommendations in four areas: how people access services and supports, how supports are funded, how quality services can be delivered and services for people with specialized needs. The final report to the Governor and General Assembly in March, 2008 and the project teams began working on the deliverables to support the recommendations. ODMRDD will continue to issue Progress Reports on the status of the project teams and the implementation of the deliverables.

For More Information

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ODMRDD Budget Cuts Fall on the Community

In early September, Governor Strickland announced a projected revenue shortfall of $540 million for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. The governor ordered a 4.75% budget adjustment in state agency spending. This reduction comes in addition to a $733 million budget adjustment plan announced last January.

The total cuts to ODMRDD's budget was slightly under $17 million. The department reduced community line items for Family Support Services by $624,501 and subsidies to county boards by $15,319,796. Protective services were also reduced by $127,595. Developmental center funding remained unchanged.

While the governor stressed that budget reductions should not impact on services to the citizens of Ohio, 95% of the department's budget cuts, over $16 million, came from community line items. The reduced funds are used to provide direct services to people with disabilities and their families or subsidies to individuals to attend county board programs.

Developmental center funding remained unchanged in this round of funding cuts despite expenditures in fiscal year 2006 accounting for approximately 32% ($104.6 million) of GRF spending, but approximately 2% of the population served. In comparison, community services accounted for 68% ($219.7 million) of GRF expenditures, but approximately 98% of individuals served. Furthermore, the number of individuals served in each setting has changed dramatically over time. Individuals served by county boards have increased 71.7% since FY 1994 (43,090 to 74,000). The number residing in developmental centers has decreased 12.3% (2,204 to 1,775) during the same time period.

As difficult funding decisions are made, policy makers should adhere to a consensus statement articulated 25 years ago through a grant funded by ODDC. The Deinstitutionalization Task Force Project stated, "even the most profoundly handicapped, medically fragile person (sic) could be served outside of an institution — if sufficient community services and supports are provided."

People with disabilities should speak up to insist that community services and supports be a funding priority, even in these tough economic times.

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Providing Training and Support for Siblings

by Cathy Allen

"Sister: I thought for a while that is what the title of this memoir should be because it was my older and only sister, Jacqueline, who was unwittingly the strongest influence in my life. Jackie was three years older than I, but all our lives she appeared younger."
— Barbara Walters in "Audition: A Memoir"

With these words, Barbara Walters revealed to the world not only that she had a sister who had a developmental disability, but also that this family fact had overarching significance in her own life. "Much of the need I had to prove myself, to achieve, to provide, to protect, can be traced to my feelings about Jackie," said Walters in her book. As an older adult, she read Jeanne Safer's "The Normal One: Life with a Difficult or Damaged Sibling" and "recognized myself on almost every page." If only, Walters wished, she could have found this book or one like it sooner.

Millions of people who have siblings with disabilities have similar experiences. Concern for our siblings is immense, and most of us want to do everything we can to improve their lives. At the same time, we "normal ones" often feel confused, burdened, overlooked or even pushed aside when we offer our assistance. Many of us are deeply desirous of the empathy and companionship of others who share our experiences.

When adult siblings are educated, empowered and connected with one another, they become better advocates for their families and for themselves. We want and need to know how to help our brothers and sisters, how to interact effectively with our parents and with the system. By reaching out to each other, we improve our own lives and the lives of our siblings.

November Sibling Conferences

Two upcoming events at the Marriott Airport Hotel in Columbus, Ohio emerge as invaluable opportunities for training and support for siblings of individuals with disabilities. The National Sibling Leadership Network Conference (November 6 - 7) and the Ohio Adult Siblings Conference (November 7 - 8) are unique opportunities for networking, friendship, support, education and training. Many county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities will pay the registration fee and travel costs for siblings who wish to attend.

For more information, visit the Ohio SIBS or Sibling Support Project websites, or call Tom Fish, The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, at (614) 292-3727.

The author, Cathy Allen, has a brother who has a developmental disability. She has been active in the mental retardation/developmental disabilities field for many years and is working with the Nisonger Center and ODDC to do sibling-to-sibling outreach in preparation for this year's conference. For more information about sibling activities in Ohio, call Cathy at (419) 732-1770.

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Meet ODDC's New Members

Kevin Aldridge

Kevin Aldridge is serving on ODDC as a representative of state government. Aldridge works for the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD).

Aldridge worked for many years with the Franklin County Board of MRDD and the Franklin County Family and Children First Council. For the past eight years, he ran the Ohio subsidiary of a national provider company, providing waiver services and a variety of behavioral health services to children and families.

The disability issues Aldridge is most interested in are children and autism.

Carl Sabo

Carl Sabo, Ph.D. is serving on ODDC as a representative of state government. Sabo has worked for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (RSC) for 22 years and is currently the manager of the Workforce Development Unit. He oversees RSC's cooperative agreements with other state agencies, transition efforts and the RSC Consumer Advisory Council.

Sabo, who is also an adjunct instructor at Ohio University, previously worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI).

"Having worked as a BSVI rehabilitation counselor for so many years, I have a keen interest in all issues associated with individuals with visual impairments," said Sabo, who is also interested in employment-related issues for individuals with disabilities.

Biljana "Bibi" Manev

Biljana "Bibi" Manev is serving on ODDC as a representative of state government.

Manev works in the Office of Ohio Health Plans (Medicaid) as the section lead for MRDD policy on waiver programs and other Medicaid initiatives for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Manev has worked in state government for 16 years. She worked at the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on welfare reform initiatives and worked directly with central Ohio county departments of job and family services, children service agencies, child support enforcement agencies and workforce development agencies. She also worked with local workforce investment boards implementing the Workforce Investment Act and served on the board of trustees for Creative Living.

She is interested in all disability issues for which ODDC advocates.

Judith Carey

Judith Carey is serving on ODDC as a representative of a private non-profit organization. She is the chief developmental officer for the Cleveland Sight Center, a private agency that serves people with developmental disabilities.

Carey was a special education teacher and worked with individuals with developmental disabilities for 15 years.

"I am most interested in disability issues affecting people with developmental disabilities, blindness and low vision," said Carey.

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UCEDD Conference Encourages Collaboration

by Tom Gannon, University of Cincinnati, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, a program of the Cincinnati Children's Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, will present its annual collaborative conference on November 7 - 8 at the Sabin Education Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The conference brings together families and professionals to consider and discuss the latest findings in the field of autism and to share practical strategies for supporting a family member with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Every year this collaborative conference is planned to provide useful information for families of children with autism, physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, general and special educators and others interested in the care of children and adults with ASD.

Keynote speakers for this year's conference include Dr. Rebecca Landa and Dr. Robin Hansen. Dr. Landa is the director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders and the REACH research program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She will present on the early signs and developmental patterns from infancy of ASD. Dr. Hansen, who heads a multidisciplinary clinic that diagnoses children, plans intervention strategies and works closely with families, will present about gene-environment interaction in autism.

Conference Presentation Topics

For More Information

For the conference brochure and registration form, contact the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati, P.O. Box 43027, Cincinnati Ohio, 45243-0027, or call (513) 561-2300.

For more information, contact Tom Gannon, Outreach and Community Education Coordinator, University of Cincinnati UCEDD at Tom.Gannon@cchmc.org or (513) 636-4446.

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Nisonger Program Increases Social Life and Independence

by Jeffrey Seigel, Nisonger Center, University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

Helping young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) explore their goals and desires is the purpose of the Aspirations program at the Nisonger Center. The program is an eight-week social and vocational support group for high functioning young adults (18-30 years) with ASD. Group leaders familiar with ASD facilitate developing self-awareness, social insight and independence among participants. Research studies are conducted to evaluate the program.

Once participants have completed the initial eight-week program, they can choose to join the alumni group, RECAP. The group meets monthly to participate in different activities, such as game night, going out for pizza, having a holiday party or attending a sports event.

Other groups have formed from the Aspirations program. Women of Aspirations (WOA) was created out of concern that women members were under-represented in the program and needed opportunities to interact among themselves. According to a member of the WOA group, "Because of Aspirations and WOA, I've gone from having almost no friends to having too many to count. It's nice knowing that the people in the group understand the issues I have, since many of them have some of the same issues." Similarly, Aspirations Guys was created based on the gendered model of WOA. Another group is the Aspirations Book Club.

Improved Support and Interaction

Program staff have noted improvement in the quality of social interactions among individuals at the gatherings. Most notable include participants offering increased positive support to others and greater coordination of effort and interaction among participants. For example, while on a kayaking outing, participants helped one another launch their kayak, pull the kayak out of the water and put gear away.

Participants find the program to be a great benefit to them. "In the time that I have been a part of Aspirations, I have learned a great deal about Asperger's and life on the autism spectrum," said a member of the program. "Aspirations has instilled appropriate and effective ways to communicate my feelings and needs to others. I have learned what it means to be responsible for my actions, on the job and off, altogether due to Aspirations. I am still improving at overcoming personal difficulties today and I am optimistic about the future in terms of problem solving and making friends," he concluded.

For information about the Aspirations program, contact Jeff Siegel at siegel.45@osu.edu or Angela Suell Denny, at amsuell@aol.com, or (614) 292-4185, or visit the Aspirations website.

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ODDC Opposes Developmental Center Pilot Project

ODDC's Public Policy Committee and its full Council voted, at the August meeting, to oppose a residential pilot program at the Gallipolis Developmental Center. The residential pilot program, proposed by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD), would build and operate eight-bed intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICFs/MR) at sites off the grounds of the developmental center.

Michael Kirkman, executive director of the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS), while discussing the proposed pilot to the Public Policy Committee, emphasized OLRS' long-standing conviction that community inclusion is a civil right for people with disabilities. He stressed that allocating scarce dollars to develop new state owned and managed ICFs/MR ignores the state's obligations to provide services to people with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

Mary Butler, chair of ODDC's Public Policy Committee stated, "Within the committee, there was strong opposition voiced by the members that they did not approve of the concept of the new pilot and that it did not promote community inclusion. The full Council overwhelmingly opposes the pilot and supports OLRS' position on this issue." Butler added that ODDC would include language in their Public Policy Platform committing to advocacy that opposes the pilot project. ODDC expects to introduce the Public Policy Platform in December.

Original Intent Abandoned

ODMRDD's original proposal was to evaluate whether the state, through developmental centers, could provide community residential services to individuals with disabilities under the Individual Options Medicaid waiver program. That pilot was designed to capitalize on opportunities under the federal Medicaid waiver program to provide integrated community-based long-term care services and supports for individuals at risk of institutional placements.

ODMRDD sought to amend the original pilot, in part, because waiver funding would not cover its expenses, including salaries of state-paid direct care professionals in community service settings.

Kirkman pointed out to the Public Policy Committee that the legitimate reasons for the original pilot, providing an opportunity to evaluate state provided waiver services, has mutated into simply preserving state jobs, while the community integration component has now receded to the point it is no longer meaningful. The committee members agreed with Kirkman, who fears that the new pilot would become a model for the other developmental centers around the state.

The Public Policy Committee and OLRS will continue to monitor the status of the pilot program as they join advocacy efforts to oppose, according to Kirkman, "a major policy shift by the state of Ohio, one that would put the state farther out of synch with professional and legal thinking in this area."

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News from Ohio Legal Rights Service
Minimum Standards for Professional and Volunteer Guardians Adopted

An advisory committee at the Ohio Supreme Court recently approved minimum standards for the post-appointment conduct of guardians. The Adult Guardianship Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Children, Families, and the Courts developed the standards for professional guardians, non-profit guardianship programs, and attorneys who include accepting appointment of guardianships as part of their work. The guidelines have now been referred to the Supreme Court for further action, which could include creation of court rules based on the standards or reference to the Ohio Judicial Conference for development of a legislative proposal.

The need for standards for guardians reflects changes in the guardianship system in the last 20 years. Prior to 1990 there were few non-family or non-attorney guardianships, other than protective services through the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Guardianship was seen largely as a private matter. State law passed in 1989 created the indigent guardianship fund in each county, and some judges used the fund as a way to pay for guardianship services. Similarly, voluntary guardianship programs grew up at Area Agencies on Aging and through non-profit corporations. At the same time, demands for guardianship by mental health agencies led some local boards or service providers to allocate money to pay for guardianships. Today, there are reports of for-profit guardianship services in Ohio, where non attorneys accept appointment as a guardian on a fee for service basis. As a result of these changes, guardianship is now more akin to state sanctioned protective services, not the private family matter of the past. Experience in Ohio and other states shows that the potential for abuses by non-family guardians is significant, and many individuals in Ohio have called for better regulation of these guardians by the probate courts.

Important work done by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Law and Aging supports this reform. These groups studied post appointment guardianship in every state, and concluded that monitoring and guidelines for guardian conduct were sorely lacking. The AARP has queried whether a federal role exists in guardianship.

The standards for the post-appointment conduct of guardians are based in part on national models, but are tailored to Ohio law and include the following areas:

The work of the subcommittee is partly funded by an ABA grant to review post appointment guardianship issues in Ohio. The subcommittee continues to meet to consider other issues affecting adult guardianships and has made significant proposals in the area of uniform data collection and court monitoring of adult guardianships. OLRS attorneys Michael Kirkman and Jason Boylan participate on the subcommittee, which is made up of lawyers, judges, professional guardians, elders and their advocates, and people with disabilities.

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Upcoming Conference: SOLIDARITY '09

The Disability Network of Ohio-Solidarity Announces the 10th Anniversary of SOLIDARITY. A major focus of SOLIDARITY '09 is learning about legislative issues affecting citizens with disabilities, including the impact of the state's budget, and practicing empowerment skills by visiting with legislators at the Statehouse. The conference will be held April 14-16, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio. For information about scholarships, registration and costs, go to the Disability Network of Ohio - Solidarity website. SOLIDARITY is Ohio's leading conference by and for people with disabilities.

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Contact Information

DD Quarterly is produced by the Ohio Legal Rights Service. To share your comments or suggestions about the newsletter, or to sign-up to receive email notification when the DD Quarterly is published, contact:

Ohio Legal Rights Service
Attn: Tom Hemmert
50 W. Broad Street, Suite 1400
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Voice: (614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181
TTY: (614) 728-2553 or (800) 858-3542
Fax: (614) 644-1888
Email: Newsletter@olrs.state.oh.us

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About ODDC

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council is a group of 35 people, appointed by the governor, who plan and advocate for Ohioans with disabilities. ODDC receives federal funds and distributes those funds by awarding grants for projects and activities that create visions, influence public policy, pilot new approaches, empower individuals and families, and advocate system change. Contact information for ODDC is: 8 East Long Street, Suite 1200 Columbus, Ohio 43215, Voice phone: (614) 466-5205 (800) 766-7426 (Toll free in Ohio); TTY: (614) 644-5530; Fax: (614) 466-0298; Web site: www.ddc.ohio.gov

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DD Quarterly Collaboration

The DD Quarterly newsletter is an ongoing collaboration among the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, Ohio Legal Rights Service, the Nisonger Center and the University of Cincinnati, University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

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