By Diana Mairose, HCDDS advocacy adviser and a voting rights advocate
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Voting is an important way you can take part in your community. We need people with disabilities to have their voices heard! Your vote does count, and voting can allow you to be independent while making choices that concern your life. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Here are some important tips and reminders:
- You can vote if you are registered and at least 18 years old by Election Day. To vote in this November's election, you need to register by Oct. 7.
- If you have a guardian, you may still vote. You can ask your guardian or family member support you when you vote, either at the polls or at home.
- If you vote in person, you must have an ID or information with your name and current address listed, such as a bank statement, paycheck or utility bill.
- If transportation is difficult, you may also vote at home using an absentee ballot. You can then mail your ballot back to the Board of Elections or drop it off in person. More information about absentee ballots is on the Board of Elections website or by calling (513) 632-7039.
- Another resource is the Ohio Secretary of State's website. You can also call (877) 767-6446 for information. They also have a Voter Access Guide for people with disabilities.
- Early voting begins Oct. 8. You can vote by mail or during set hours at the Board of Elections, 4700 Smith Road in Norwood. On Election Day, Ohio polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- If you have a disability-related voting concern, you can contact Disability Rights Ohio at (800) 282-9181. The hotline is operated while polls are open on Election Day.
To learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot, you can find information from
the League of Women Voters
as Election Day gets closer. If you have questions about your voting rights, you may also contact me with questions by phone,
(513) 559-6636
, or by email.
-Diana
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Newport Aquarium Autism & Special Needs Night
Newport Aquarium is hosting an Autism & Special Needs Night from
6:30-10 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10.
For this special event, sound and lighting accommodations have been made to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. Sensory Level guides on Touch, Sight and Sounds will be provided, as well as designated calming areas. Personal Care Attendents with a valid ID may enter at no additional cost.
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Caring for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Cincinnati Children's Hospital is offering a 3-week series for students (currently enrolled in 9th grade through graduate school) who are interested in caring for/babysitting children and youth with developmental disabilities.
The series takes place at Children's Liberty Campus from 9-12:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.
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Trusts and STABLE Accounts
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Join us at
6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 to learn more about Trusts and STABLE Accounts. At this session, you will learn
- What is a STABLE account and how does it work?
- What is a Special Needs Trust and is it right for your situation?
- What are Pooled Trusts and what benefits do they offer?
- How can a STABLE account be used in combination with a trust to plan a secure future?
Bring a partner, ally or a friend! Want to know more?
Click here.
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Advocacy Summit
The first annual Advocacy Summit took place on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event was a huge success!
Commissioner Stephanie Summerow-Dumas honored Reverend Robert Harris and Commissioner Todd Portune with proclamations for their many years of advocacy and service on behalf of individuals with DD.
Commissioner Denise Driehaus recorded a video welcome for the attendees. In it she also talks about the importance of advocacy.
Click here to view her message.
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Services Spotlight on Funding
HCDDS receives about 78 percent of our revenue from a property tax levy. When possible, we fund services using federal Medicaid waivers, which require HCDDS to pay about 40 percent of a service's cost while Medicaid pays the remaining 60 percent. Funding services this way allows us to make the most of local tax levy dollars and serve as many people as possible within a limited budget.
Services Spotlight is a feature to share
more information about HCDDS services.
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- Memory Café. 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7 at the Blue Ash Branch. For people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. For information, please click here.
- Healthy Relationships Training. 10:30 a.m. or 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Janet Clemmons Center. Two sessions available on healthy relationships. Register here.
- Adult Day Support & Vocational Habilitation Training. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at LADD. Class meets both initial staff training and annual renewal training requirements of Adult Day Support and Vocational Habilitation staff. This training does not apply to Independent Providers. For more information, please click here.
- Newport Aquarium Autism & Special Needs Night. 6:30- 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Newport Aquarium. For more information, please click here.
- Transition Bootcamp: Relationships, Sexuality and Safety. 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Children's Hospital. These sessions provide information on the transition from school to adult life for youth with DD. For information, please click here .
- Navigating Sexual Health & Wellness with Individuals. 9:15-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 at LADD. Learn how to promote and deliver sexual health and wellness to those you support. Click here for more information.
- Casper the Friendly Musical-Sensory Friendly. 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Taft Theatre. This special performance is intended for individuals with DD and those on the autism spectrum. For more information, please click here.
- Special Needs Family Night. 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at the Green Township Branch. Families with special needs are invited to the library to experience activities in a stress free accepting space. For information, please click here.
- Music. Here. Now! 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Mad Tree Brewing. Join Melodic Connections as we celebrate the power music has to bring people together. For information, please click here.
- Memory Café. 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at the Green Township Branch. For people with Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. For information, click here.
- Managing Anxiety: Helping Kids with DD Cope & Succeed. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Children's Hospital. For caregivers, discusses the signs and symptoms of anxiety and teaches coping skills and strategies. For information, please click here.
- CPR and First Aid Training. 10-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at LADD. Includes the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).For information, click here.
- Special Needs Family Night. 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Norwood Branch Library. Families with special needs are invited to the library to experience activities in a stress free accepting space. For information, please click here.
- Sensory Saturday. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Free program for families with children who have autism to explore the museum before public hours. For more information, please click here.
- Caring for Children and Youth with Disabilities. 9-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & Nov. 9 at Children's Hospital Liberty. For students 9th grade to graduate who are interested in caring for children with DD. For information, please click here.
- Trusts and Stable Accounts: What Families Need to Know. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 at HCDDS Kingsley Center. Learn about STABLE accounts, Special Needs Trusts, Pooled Trusts and more. For information, please click here.
- Margaret Rost School Chili Cook-Off. 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Margaret Rost School. Taste testing, split the pot, face painting, photo booth and a visit from the Who-Dey Bengals mascot. For ticket information, please click here.
- Common Threads Network, Ohio Department of DD Updates. 9-12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at the Centre Park of West Chester. Hear the new Director's vision for the future of DD services, budget and updates. Click here for more information and to register.
- Planning Across a Lifespan: Good Lenses, Good Lives! 9-12 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at Kingsley. Learn about the work your allies on the Integration and Advocacy Team can do to help support your family member with DD. Click here to register or view our informational flyer here.
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