Protect Programs for People with Disabilities
This document explains how changes in the proposed federal budget will affect people with disabilities and how to take action.
Words to Know
| Congress | A group of elected leaders who make laws and decide how the U.S. government spends money. |
| Federal Budget | A plan for how the U.S. government will spend money each year. |
| Congressional District | A part of a state that elects one person to represent them in Congress. |
| Advocacy | Speaking up for yourself or others to make change. |
| Independence | Being able to make choices and live life in your own way. |
| Program | A service or support that helps people with things like housing or health care. |
| Cuts | When the government takes away money from a program. |
| Self-advocacy | When a person with a disability speaks up for their own needs and rights. |
What’s Happening?
The federal government is planning to cut funding for programs that help people with developmental disabilities. If this happens, over 40,000 people in Ohio could lose important services that help them live safely and independently.
Programs at risk include:
- Disability Rights Ohio (investigates abuse and neglect, helps people with disabilities exercise their rights, advocates for access to independent living in the community, helps students stay in school and receive the necessary services to be successful, and access services funded through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities)
- The Ohio State University Nisonger Center (provides early intervention, childcare services, dental clinics, post-secondary education programs, dual diagnosis clinics, and aspirations
- The University of Cincinnati Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (provides training through the LEND program, supports families through the Ohio Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and works to improve health and quality of life for people with disabilities)
These programs have existed for over 50 years and are critical to protecting rights and supporting community living.
Why It Matters
- These programs support people with disabilities in every Ohio Congressional district.
- They offer help with legal rights, self-advocacy, education, health, and housing.
- Losing these programs would hurt individuals, families, and service providers.
What You Can Do
Tell your member of Congress:
Fully fund all disability programs. Don’t cut anything. Every program matters. Every person matters.
You can:
- Call their office
- Send an email or letter
- Post on social media and tag them
Know Your District: How Many People Could Be Affected?
| District | Representative | Population | With Disabilities | % |
| 01 | Landsman | 796,831 | 96,807 | 12.1% |
| 02 | Taylor | 787,945 | 136,797 | 17.4% |
| 03 | Beatty | 784,597 | 92,224 | 11.8% |
| 04 | Jordan | 803,311 | 114,152 | 14.2% |
| 05 | Latta | 790,574 | 111,945 | 14.2% |
| 06 | Rulli | 773,456 | 130,051 | 16.8% |
| 07 | Miller | 769,701 | 103,048 | 13.4% |
| 08 | Davidson | 786,259 | 102,414 | 13.0% |
| 09 | Kaptur | 776,106 | 119,511 | 15.4% |
| 10 | Turner | 784,462 | 120,502 | 15.4% |
| 11 | Brown | 772,345 | 134,848 | 17.5% |
| 12 | Balderson | 804,132 | 114,000 | 14.2% |
| 13 | Sykes | 781,848 | 111,294 | 14.2% |
| 14 | Joyce | 784,185 | 115,470 | 14.7% |
| 15 | Carey | 790,183 | 103,901 | 13.1% |
Statewide Total:
Population: 11,785,935
People with Disabilities: 1,706,964 (14.5%)
Sample Message to Congress
Person with a disability
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City]. I am a person with a disability I’m asking you to protect disability programs like Disability Rights Ohio, the Nisonger Center, and the University of Cincinnati CEDD. These programs help people with disabilities live safely and independently. Please don’t cut any funding. Every program matters. Every person matters.
Family members of people with disabilities
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City]. I am a family member o a person with a disability. I’m asking you to protect disability programs like Disability Rights Ohio, the Nisonger Center, and the University of Cincinnati CEDD. These programs help people with disabilities live safely and independently. Please don’t cut any funding. Every program matters. Every person matters.
Professional serving people with disabilities
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City]. I work in the disability system and serve people with disabilities. I’m asking you to protect disability programs like Disability Rights Ohio, the Nisonger Center, and the University of Cincinnati CEDD. These programs help people with disabilities live safely and independently. Please don’t cut any funding. Every program matters. Every person matters.
Social Media Messages
Take action now! Tell Congress to protect programs for people with disabilities in Ohio! Fully fund Disability Rights Ohio, The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, and the University of Cincinnati Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Fully fund all disability programs. Don’t cut anything. Every program matters. Every person matters.
Take Action Today
- Share this toolkit
- Call your Representative
- Tell your story
- Share on social media
- Share this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/3m4Mh5xAbkWFUlgvKoQK_A2
Contact Information:
Call the Congressional Switchboard to help you connect to offices at (202) 224-3121
Need help?
Reach out to your local disability organization for help making calls or writing letters. If you need help knowing how to share your story, read this sharing your story for policy advocacy. You can find additional stories on what cuts to these programs mean below: