[NFBOH-Cleveland] Today's Good Reads

Fri Apr 3 13:59:49 UTC 2026

At this Ohio church for the Deaf, the congregation feels the music

The Ohio Newsroom

April 3, 2026

This weekend, thousands of Ohioans will be celebrating Easter across the
state, listening to melodies and singing along with songs that reverberate
through their places of worship.

But at one small church in North Dayton, the congregation experiences their
worship music in a unique way.

The music there is louder than you'd expect. Concert-level in an intimate
setting. That's intentional. This congregation is mostly deaf. They don't
hear the hymns. They feel and experience them.

Pastor Dave Sollmann has led the small congregation for three years. He's
been deaf since contracting measles as a baby.

"That sound system, it's really important for the vibration, for that bass,
to really feel the bass during worship time," Sollmann said, as translated
by American Sign Language interpreter Annette Paulus. "When I'm really close
to the speaker, all that vibration just really hits my body, and I love it."

For some hearing visitors, the volume can be overwhelming.

"For hearing who come, that is really loud and it can hurt your ears,"
Sollmann said. "But we like it."

"When I'm really close to the speaker, all that vibration just really hits
my body and I love it," Pastor Dave Sollmann

Pastor Sollmann's wife, Kellynn Sollmann, found the church through a
newspaper ad 30 years ago. She is also deaf. She had been raised Lutheran
but couldn't find a deaf-accessible congregation in Dayton. At hearing
churches, she didn't fit in.

"A lot of hearing churches, they don't allow deaf to be involved at all,"
Kellynn Sollmann said. "And you just sit there doing really nothing and
feeling deflated about it. Being able to be involved in drama, being able to
get my hands involved in it, is amazing."

That involvement shapes how the congregation experiences music, Pastor
Sollmann says. Worship songs are prayers being sung. Facial expressions
carry the emotion. Hands don't just sign words. They sign feeling.

"Facial expressions, adding that emotion to your body, so you're really
dramatic and theatrical with it, and really just covered in the Holy
Spirit," he said. "It's amazing."

The congregation is small and, like most of its size, is older. Outside
funding is rare. But whether it's a Sunday in June or Easter, they gather
the same. Bass thumping, hands moving.

"Really, it's just a way to spread the gospel," Sollmann said. "That's all."

  _____  

"Deaf Town" event at Ohio State Lima builds awareness through ASL

Hometown Stations

March 30, 2026

LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Students at Ohio State Lima participated in a unique
event designed to raise awareness for the deaf community by eliminating
spoken communication.

The annual spring event, known as "Deaf Town," requires participants to rely
solely on American Sign Language. Once students arrive, speaking is no
longer allowed as they attempt to communicate through ASL at four different
stations, including a grocery store, clothing store, travel agency and
doctor's office.

After completing the activity, participants said the experience was
eye-opening, giving them a better understanding of the challenges members of
the deaf community face every day in a hearing world.

"Some of my students, especially in the Sign 1 classes- they don't know a
lot of these signs, and they have a better understanding of what The Deaf
have to go through, and it kind of is like 'I really want to be able to
communicate with them even more," says Jodi Pierstoff, ASL Lecturer, The
Ohio State University at Lima.

Organizers say the engagement does not end there. During the summer months,
a Deaf Game Night will bring students and members of the deaf community
together for games and a cookout.

  _____  

"Light it up blue" for Autism Awareness: Augusta Levy challenging Ohio
Valley to show acceptance and support

WTRF

April 1, 2026

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) - Augusta Levy Behavioral Services is challenging the
Ohio Valley to show their acceptance of their neighbors with autism by
participating in "Light It Up Blue."

It's a global campaign that fosters understanding, inclusion and support for
individuals with autism.

Businesses and individuals can show their support by using blue lights,
wearing blue clothing or offering a blue special on a menu. 

Participating businesses are encouraged to extend the celebration through
the entire month of April by offering blue puzzle pieces for sale for 1
dollar each.

The proceeds will benefit therapeutic and community based programming.  

"For Light It Up blue, we are asking all local businesses to do something
fun to help recognize and celebrate autism awareness by lighting it up blue.
If it's a blue drink or a blue special or a blue light in the building, just
some way to show representation and be a part of the campaign with us."

Jessica Osmianski - COO, Augusta Leavy Behavioral Services 

"It's so important. Autism has a really high prevalence rate. It's important
that we know that there's a lot of autistic people in our community and how
we can help include them, because we're all different in our own ways and
it's important that they all feel involved in our community."

Angie Wood - CEO, Augusta Levy Behavioral Services 

In addition to purchasing puzzle pieces, community members can sponsor 1
hour of therapy for a $45 donation.

For more information on Augusta Levy Behavioral Services, follow the link:
Home  <https://www.augustalevy.org/> - Augusta Levy Behavioral Services

  _____  

High schoolers take part in disability awareness activities in Ohio

MSN.com

March 25, 2026

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Local high school students got a firsthand look at the
challenges faced by people with developmental and intellectual disabilities
during Barrier Breaker Day at the School of Bright Promise.

About 25 students from Indian Creek and Edison high schools visited the
school on March 23, taking part in activities designed to simulate everyday
obstacles experienced by individuals with disabilities. The event also
marked the start of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is
observed each March.

Students began the day meeting with staff before touring the facility and
rotating through interactive stations.

Sara Wright, education director at the School of Bright Promise, said the
exercises were created to build awareness and understanding.

Participants were divided into teams and cycled through stations that
focused on mobility, communication, sensory processing and motor skills.
Activities included navigating ramps in a wheelchair, using assistive
communication tools, experiencing sensory overload through lights and sound,
and attempting to complete tasks such as drawing while blindfolded.

Wright said the event had not been held since 2018 but returned after strong
interest from schools.

"We received a lot of feedback asking for it to come back," she said. "It's
a way to show what we do here and hopefully inspire students to consider
careers in this field."

Students also had the opportunity to eat lunch in the cafeteria and interact
with Bright Promise's pre-K-8 students in classrooms before completing a
survey at the end of the visit.

Several participants said the experience gave them a new perspective.

"It's surprising how difficult everyday tasks can be," said Alison Kireta, a
junior at Edison High School in Milan.

Tessah Locke, a sophomore at Indian Creek High School, said one activity
challenged her more than expected.

"I didn't realize how hard it would be," she said after attempting to string
beads while wearing gloves to limit hand movement.

Bella Evans, a junior at Edison High School, said the event helped her
better understand others.

"It shows how differently people experience the world," she said. "It's
important to see things from other perspectives."

Barrier Breaker Day was part of a broader week of activities hosted by the
Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Bright Promise.

The schedule included a staff appreciation breakfast, a family pancake
brunch and an awards ceremony at 7 Ranges Entertainment recognizing
individuals and organizations that support the developmental disabilities
community.

Awards included honors for family advocates, inclusive employers,
self-advocates and professionals who promote independence and inclusion.

The week concluded with a celebration for Bright Promise students at the
Jeffco Center, featuring games, inflatables and a dance party.

Throughout March, additional activities were held, including a countywide
accessibility scavenger hunt. Participants searched for features such as
wheelchair ramps and Braille signage, submitting photos for a contest.
Winners were scheduled to be announced March 27 during a live drawing on
Facebook.

  _____  

Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President

Ohio Legislative Director

Cleveland Chapter, President

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

P: (216) 990-6199

W: NFBOhio.ORG

Facebook:  <https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/>
https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/

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