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To our friends, partners, and supporters:
We know that many of you are feeling a deep sense of uncertainty as we enter this new year. With recent federal policy announcements making headlines, concerns about potential changes to healthcare, disability rights, Medicaid funding, and access to essential services are weighing heavily on our community.
The fear of losing hard-won support is real, and we want you to know that you are not alone in these concerns. Many people with developmental disabilities and their families are asking urgent questions:
- Will my access to home- and community-based services change?
- Will funding for Medicaid be cut?
- Will programs that support independence, employment, and inclusion be scaled back?
- What will happen to the rights and protections that people with disabilities have fought for over the past several decades?
These are not just policy questions—they are deeply personal concerns that affect the daily lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Ohioans.
In this time of great uncertainty, one thing remains unchanged: Ohio's 88 county boards—and our community of partners, allies, and collaborators—stand strong and united in support of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
To all people with developmental disabilities: You matter. Your voice matters. Your rights matter. No proposal, policy shift, or debate can take away your dignity, your value, or the strength of the community that stands with you. We support you.
To families and caregivers: We recognize the exhaustion and fear that comes with not knowing what lies ahead. The worry that supports could be reduced or that you may have to fight once again for the services your loved one depends on is a heavy burden. We are here to carry that weight alongside you.
To professionals who serve in our DD system: Your role in advocating for and empowering individuals with disabilities has never been more critical. You are the front line of support, and your dedication ensures that people with disabilities continue to have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.
At this moment, the most important thing we can all do is stay informed, stay engaged, and stay together. Advocates across Ohio—people with disabilities, families, professionals, and allies—are watching closely, organizing, and preparing to respond when action is needed. Our advocacy is strongest when we remain united, strategic, and unwavering in our commitment to protecting the rights and services that allow people with developmental disabilities to thrive.
Until these opportunities to advocate become clear, we encourage you to ask yourselves and others a different set of questions:
- Who in my community needs support and reassurance right now? How can I provide it to them?
- How can I make sure that I do not contribute to fear and anxiety by spreading unfounded rumors and incomplete information?
- How can I channel my concerns into meaningful action when the time is right? Do I have the information I will need to be prepared when that time comes?
Over the coming months, OACB will be sharing opportunities to get involved and stay informed about the many proposals we expect will be announced at the state and federal levels. Ohio's 88 county boards of DD and the communities they support are experts at building and strengthening relationships with key decision-makers at all levels of government, and we invite anyone who wants to advocate on behalf of our shared priorities to sign up to stay informed using the link below.
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