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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><h2><a name="_Hlk205792930"></a><a name="_Hlk217889384"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>At this Ohio church for the Deaf, the congregation feels the music<o:p></o:p></span></a></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'><b>The Ohio Newsroom<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'><b>April 3, 2026<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>But at one small church in North Dayton, the congregation experiences their worship music in a unique way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>Pastor Dave Sollmann has led the small congregation for three years. He's been deaf since contracting measles as a baby.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"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."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>For some hearing visitors, the volume can be overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"For hearing who come, that is really loud and it can hurt your ears," Sollmann said. "But we like it."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"When I'm really close to the speaker, all that vibration just really hits my body and I love it," Pastor Dave Sollmann<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"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."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"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."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"Really, it's just a way to spread the gospel," Sollmann said. "That's all."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></span></span></div><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>“Deaf Town” event at Ohio State Lima builds awareness through ASL<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'><b>Hometown Stations<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'><b>March 30, 2026<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>"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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk205792930'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk217889384'></span><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></div><h2>“Light it up blue” for Autism Awareness: Augusta Levy challenging Ohio Valley to show acceptance and support<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b>WTRF<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b>April 1, 2026<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>It’s a global campaign that fosters understanding, inclusion and support for individuals with autism.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Businesses and individuals can show their support by using blue lights, wearing blue clothing or offering a blue special on a menu. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The proceeds will benefit therapeutic and community based programming. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><i>“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.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b><i>Jessica Osmianski – COO, Augusta Leavy Behavioral Services </i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><i>“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.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b><i>Angie Wood – CEO, Augusta Levy Behavioral Services </i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>In addition to purchasing puzzle pieces, community members can sponsor 1 hour of therapy for a $45 donation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>For more information on Augusta Levy Behavioral Services, follow the link: <a href="https://www.augustalevy.org/">Home – Augusta Levy Behavioral Services</a><o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></div><h2>High schoolers take part in disability awareness activities in Ohio<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b>MSN.com<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><b>March 25, 2026</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Students began the day meeting with staff before touring the facility and rotating through interactive stations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Sara Wright, education director at the School of Bright Promise, said the exercises were created to build awareness and understanding.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Wright said the event had not been held since 2018 but returned after strong interest from schools.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>“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.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Several participants said the experience gave them a new perspective.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>“It’s surprising how difficult everyday tasks can be,” said Alison Kireta, a junior at Edison High School in Milan.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Tessah Locke, a sophomore at Indian Creek High School, said one activity challenged her more than expected.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>“I didn’t realize how hard it would be,” she said after attempting to string beads while wearing gloves to limit hand movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Bella Evans, a junior at Edison High School, said the event helped her better understand others.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>“It shows how differently people experience the world,” she said. “It’s important to see things from other perspectives.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Barrier Breaker Day was part of a broader week of activities hosted by the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Bright Promise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Awards included honors for family advocates, inclusive employers, self-advocates and professionals who promote independence and inclusion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The week concluded with a celebration for Bright Promise students at the Jeffco Center, featuring games, inflatables and a dance party.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:115%'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ohio Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cleveland Chapter, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:24.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>P: (216) 990-6199<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>W: NFBOhio.ORG<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>