Disability Employment Awareness Month is Celebrating the Value and Talents of People with Disabilities and What They Bring to the Workplace and Economy.
by by Courtney Hineman
Loveland, Ohio – Disability Employment Awareness is not only important to me but to people all over the world with developmental disabilities. This is why I wanted to interview someone with a disability for my second vlog episode that is not only employed but is thriving at their job! For this episode, I interviewed my friend and fellow self-advocate Nick Sopiwnik! We talked about why Disability Employment Awareness Month is important to him, and about his employment experience. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation and this episode makes you think about how you can help others with disabilities find employment.
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Courtney Hineman is a disability rights advocate. She is the Community Outreach Advocate at the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities and was appointed by Governor DeWine to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council for the second term. She is a member of Butler County’s self-advocacy group, and enjoys participating in Best Buddies.
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My desire is that you will find the following organizations helpful as we continue our journey together!
Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 Butler County Residents. Supports and services are available life-long through contracts with partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.
Founded in 1967, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports over 4,100 people. Supports and services are available life-long through partner agencies or directly provided by our Board.
Much of our services go beyond the walls of our facilities and take place in the community. The Board’s supports are geared toward the philosophy of person-centered thinking, which places the individual at the center of decisions made about the services they receive. We are committed to helping people determine their dreams and helping to make those dreams come true.
Hamilton County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) is a government social services agency established by state law. For more than 50 years, HCDDS has provided educational, vocational, and residential support and services to thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Each year, we support approximately 7,300 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout their lives, from babies through seniors, by providing case management, monitoring service quality, and funding services provided by our community partners.
We treat each person we serve as a unique individual and connect them to services to reflect the life they want. By collaborating with more than 1,000 certified providers, we’re able to support people to live a life that is important and meaningful to them, on their own terms.
Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The mission of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to help those we serve expand capabilities and navigate the possibilities. We envision a culture comprised of inclusive communities where people with disabilities thrive and live a life on their own terms. Individuals and families served by the Clermont County Board of DD have the right of choice and flexibility regarding what, how and where services are provided. Individuals and families will be empowered to make decisions, become partners and work cooperatively with professionals, and exert control over the services provided to them.
Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services and supports to over 2,400 people in Warren County who have developmental disabilities. The mission of the board is supporting people with disabilities and their families to achieve what is important to them. The Board employs 127 people in full and part time positions. We operate out of four locations in Warren County, and have an annual budget of $30,500,000.00. More than 65% of our revenue is derived from local levy funds.
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
The mission of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. The Ohio DD Council operates under the authority of the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and is a part of the Ohio DD Network. The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities assists and supports the Ohio DD Council as the federally mandated designated state agency.
