[Ohio-talk] OOD Sunset Review Commission testimony

[Eric Duffy]

Bill Bishilany, assistant executive director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, told the panel OOD currently has 45 individuals on three separate bodies representing individuals with disabilities. Ohioans with disabilities would be better served, he said, by consolidating the three bodies - including the Consumer Advisory Commission to the Rehabilitation Services Commission - into a single entity, the State Rehabilitation Council. "Besides providing for a more unified and effective process for feedback and engagement, moving to SRC would involve significant savings in reimbursement and travel costs alone," he said, noting the move is supported by Disability Rights Ohio. Ohio is the only remaining state utilizing the current commission structure, according to Mr. Bishilany. "Modernizing how Ohio serves individuals with disabilities has been a priority for OOD and Gov. Kasich," he said. "This proposed change would allow for greater access, greater awareness and follow a model that has been adopted across the country all while saving taxpayer dollars."