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Commissioners alarmed after Columbus Speech and Hearing Center closure; ask city involvement
Summary
Commissioners at the Feb. 26 meeting said the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center has permanently closed, leaving services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind residents at risk. Vice Chair Janae Miller and other commissioners described local advocacy and efforts to find a new fiscal host for a state SSP program.
Vice Chair Janae Miller told the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues on Feb. 26 that the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center permanently closed earlier in the month, leaving a service gap for residents who rely on speech and hearing services.
"The Columbus speech and hearing center closed its doors last Friday," Miller said, adding that the closure appears tied to funding and Medicaid cuts and that staff are asking former clients to request medical records. She said she is working with a task force to find a new fiscal home for the SSP (Service Support Professional) program, which provides communication supports for people who are blind, deaf-blind or have combined hearing and vision loss.
Commissioners reacted with surprise and concern. Commissioner Tricia Kovacs and Chair Nicole Carter described the closure as a significant loss for the community and urged heightened city engagement to locate alternate service providers or fiscal sponsors. Carter said the commission needs to be "intentional" about advocacy and community events to highlight service gaps and suggested leveraging upcoming events, including an "All Disabilities Festival" planned for July, to raise awareness.
Context and next steps: Commissioners noted that other Ohio cities maintain similar services and said Columbus should pursue partnerships with local nonprofits or the city to host critical programs. Angie (ADA coordinator) said staff would compile follow-up items and communications. The commission did not take a formal vote but directed staff to continue outreach and to include the issue in future agendas.
Other related points raised at the meeting included concerns about a change in ODOT's crosswalk definition (which commissioners said now requires a sidewalk for an unmarked crosswalk to exist), gaps in sidewalk coverage across Columbus neighborhoods, and the need to ensure vulnerable roadway user planning includes disability needs.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for March 26 at 2 p.m. and adjourned at the end of the Feb. 26 session.
