[Ohio-talk] TAKE ACTION: Protect Disability Rights Ohio's Independence

Tue May 21 02:26:09 UTC 2019

Hello,
I hope all is well with our members. Please see the bellow email from Disability Rights Ohio. DRO is an organization that the NFB has partnered with on a host of issues in the past, and now DRO needs our help. On Wednesday at 7:00pm we will be having a conference call to talk about how The NfbO can best help DRO.  Please make sure to call in to our normal conference line at 712 775 7031 and use code 240281423 to access the call. Please make it a priority to be on the call, and please be prompt. On this call we will have Lisa Worme from Disability Rights Ohio, she will be on the call to answer questions about how The NFBO can best help with the below described issue. It is very important that we have a large turnout for this call.  This issue is   very important to all Ohioans with disabilities. As an organization we have been striving to establish a legislative voice here in Ohio, and we have another opportunity to have our voice heard once again. With this in mind please make sure that you call in on Wednesday night It is very important that we move on this issue as an organization. I look forward to hearing all of our members on the call.

Michael Leiterman
Co-Legislative Chair
From: Disability Rights Ohio <info at disabilityrightsohio.ccsend.com<mailto:info at disabilityrightsohio.ccsend.com>> On Behalf Of Disability Rights Ohio
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2019 3:13 PMSubject: TAKE ACTION: Protect Disability Rights Ohio's Independence

Contact Your State Senator Now!

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TAKE ACTION:
Protect Disability Rights Ohio's Independence

Contact Your State Senator Now!

Ohio's budget is meant to make funding decisions, but instead, legislators decided to include a provision that retaliates against and intimidates DRO for its effective pursuit of the rights of people with disabilities. We work to protect those rights, including the right to live free of abuse and neglect, but now we need your help to maintain our independence and ability to do that work without the state interfering!

The language in the bill creates a new joint legislative committee that every two years would examine if a new entity should be designated as the state's protection and advocacy system (P&A). DRO has held the designation as Ohio's P&A since 1980, even as we transitioned out of state government in 2012 to be more independent. Federal law is clear: only the Governor has the authority to make the designation under the close watch of federal authorities. It does not give the Ohio General Assembly any power in this area.

State P&As were established across the country after investigations into state institutions found horrible conditions at Willowbrook in New York, and Orient and Apple Creek in Ohio. Congress was determined that these types of violations should never happen again. P&As are meant to be an independent and vital protection against abuse and neglect against some of our country's most vulnerable citizens.

Congress designed these systems to operate independently from the State in attempt to avoid unfair pressure just like this proposal.

This provision has already passed the Ohio House - we need you to demand your state Senators pull it from the state budget. The bill is moving quickly and we need to your help now!

You can call or email to help send a strong message! If DRO has helped you or a loved one, this is a chance for you to tell your story.

FIND YOUR STATE SENATOR<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001GAm62WW7HWJlS1QoLqogMtBBVNjK1S0n3K5Wqh4_KYFM7qeLx7-ML1PXMqNrsyFdwmugu1U7YARkZbL308qJvolO3EY4I5K8WAUL4a0CTDanJFS_W1VlY_05RdNRgqLK_raOGJ5xFRvMJf4085sed3D4_EFG7gY5cWWFQJ6_nVDDl3usnJySjFXr-JfLgUA8Ech0A_a-VHo=&c=FG787Zbc_9CcsrhOx5_ccKNMWTDR2ioB3IZNx03J9C0wcTGJfNe0xQ==&ch=p_0Q72gjHUrh0iF9yzXE7duhBH5wM43zkfkcLoZi5XhM12jlL_n7EQ==>

What to say when you call

My name is _____ and I am calling as your constituent to ask you to please remove section 5123.603 in the state budget because it could profoundly harm the rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Disabilities Rights Ohio is a private nonprofit corporation that receives no state dollars. No other private advocacy or legal organization is subject to this type of review. In fact, DRO already reports to federal regulators. It was the intent of Congress when they created organizations like DRO nearly 40 years ago that they be free from unfair state pressure.

DRO helps elevate the voice of self-advocates and gives individuals and organizations a resource they need to be effective in their advocacy. They have helped me with [insert your story].

I urge you to support people with disabilities and ask you to eliminate this damaging provision from the state budget.

Thank you,

[Your name]

What to say when you email

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to please remove section 5123.603 in the state budget that creates senseless legislative oversight of a private nonprofit corporation, Disability Rights Ohio.

Disability Rights Ohio is an independent organization designated by the governor, regulated by federal law as the Protection and Advocacy system and Client Assistance Program in Ohio to investigate instances of abuse and neglect and to protect the rights of people with disabilities. No other private advocacy or legal organization is subject to this type of review.

DRO helps elevate the voice of self-advocates and gives individuals and organizations a resource they need to be effective in their advocacy. They have helped me fight for my rights as a person with disabilities / family member by [insert your story].

Disability Rights Ohio has been an invaluable organization fighting for my rights and those across Ohio. People with disabilities deserve an independent voice to uphold laws and fight against discrimination, without retaliation.

I urge you to support people with disabilities and ask you to eliminate this damaging provision from the state budget.

Thank you,

[Insert your name]
[insert your address]

Thank you for your support of the critical work we do.

The mission of Disability Rights Ohio is to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Disability Rights Ohio on the Web

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Disability Rights Ohio, 200 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43215-4234
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