Columbus City Council proclaims March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Columbus City Council at its meeting adopted Resolution 0041x-2025 to designate March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, following remarks from local self-advocates and Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities officials.

Council member Shannon Green introduced the resolution and invited community leaders to speak about services, advocacy and outreach for people with developmental disabilities. Green said the month’s theme—"creating pathways to independence"—highlights access to employment, consistent support services and inclusive community connections.

Self-advocate Christine Brown, a member of the city’s Consumer Advisory Council on disability issues, told council that a recurring way to inform legislators and civic leaders is through an annual advocacy day. "This is something I have been coordinating in my life since 02/2013, and the thing is that this event is the opportunity for you all as civic leaders and also, as people who got voted in to learn from people with disabilities, their family members, providers, residents in your district about issues affecting the disability community," Brown said.

A representative of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities said the board supports services that help people "to live, learn, and work in our community" and noted the board serves thousands of children and adults in Franklin County. Marcy Strother, identified as vice president of the Franklin County Board of DD, said self-advocates will speak to legislators the following day during a statewide advocacy day and described plans to testify on behalf of direct support professionals and technology needs.

Green moved for adoption of the resolution; the clerk called the roll and the council adopted Resolution 0041x-2025. Council members recorded on the roll call were: Beatty; Dayakower; Dorrance; Green; Ramey; Weiss; President Harden. The clerk recorded the motion as adopted.

Speakers and organizations who addressed the council emphasized continuing local work on accessibility (including adult-size changing tables in recreation facilities), supports for Medicaid and rate increases that affect service delivery, and the value of lived-experience representation on county boards. Council members thanked the speakers and acknowledged the local advocacy that informed recent city-level work on related accessibility issues.

The resolution recognizes local and statewide advocacy efforts and encourages continued attention to services and inclusion. Several speakers urged elected officials and staff to attend legislative advocacy events and to coordinate with state-level partners to address transportation, neglect in care settings, and access to community-based services.