Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

Today we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States by celebrating Juneteenth.

🎓 Project Search at Columbus City Schools is celebrating graduates! For 18 years, the program has helped people with disabilities gain skills and confidence for community jobs through coursework and hands-on training.

Learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/49zjxBd

Sports help people stay active, have fun, and build confidence. Adaptive sports remove barriers and give people with disabilities the chance to develop new skills and achieve their goals.

Gunner Hartley, an adaptive athlete for Findlay City Schools and a state champion in seated track and field, knows the impact adaptive sports can have.

Learn more about Gunner's journey in this new DODD article: https://bit.ly/49PKsJ1

A new universal changing table is making Dayton more accessible for people with disabilities!

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park visitors can now use a height-adjustable changing table, thanks to a partnership between the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, Changing Spaces Ohio, and the National Park Service.

This addition ensures that more people can participate in community activities and enjoy public spaces.

📰 Learn more about the update in this Dayton 24/7 Now article: https://bit.ly/4xz3lKg

📍Find accessible changing tables near you: https://bit.ly/3RXaqEl

Looking for a fun summer activity? 🌿🐾

Experience all nature has to offer at the Columbus Zoo during Quiet Hours, held every first Sunday of the month. These sensory-friendly hours reduce sound, music, and visual stimuli to create a more comfortable visit for all guests.

Learn more on their website: https://bit.ly/3nvnJNs

Congratulations to the 2026 OhioRISE graduates!

⭐ Over 450 OhioRISE youth with intensive needs graduated high school or earned a GED
⭐ Over 240 youth entered the workforce
⭐ Over 175 are pursuing higher education

We’re so proud of these graduates and their accomplishments!

In Ohio, people with developmental disabilities are pursuing meaningful careers and greater independence in their communities.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities offers a six-month post–high school program for eligible students focused on workplace readiness, independent living skills, and confidence-building.

After graduation, students find employment, gain independence, and pursue their future goals.

Learn how the program opens doors for students: https://bit.ly/48Kc41C

Have a safe swim summer with these tips from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)!

•Secure the pool when no one is around- Enclose pools with a four-sided fence at least 4 feet high, with a self-closing and self-latching gate.

•Be a water watcher- Pay close attention to people in and near the water and avoid distractions like books, cell phones, and alcohol.

•Use DODD's Swim Safety Communication Board- Communication boards help people communicate using symbols, pictures, or photos to express needs, preferences, and decisions.

🏊 Learn more about safe swimming on ODH's website: https://bit.ly/4o1lYCm

This year marks the 10th anniversary of STABLE Accounts becoming available to Ohioans with disabilities.

Join DODD Podcast host Nate Turner as he talks with Kenyatta Chandler and Alaina Bowers of the Ohio Treasurer's Office STABLE Account team.

In this episode, learn how STABLE Accounts support financial independence in the disability community and hear about important updates to eligibility requirements.

Tune in to the latest DODD Podcast: dodd.ohio.gov/communication/Podcasts

DODD staff joined leaders from across the field to present at the 2026 Innovation Summit. This year's theme, "Opportunities in Motion," highlighted how collaboration, lived experience leadership, and innovative practices can create new opportunities for people served and their communities.