Month: January 2021

Student Spotlight: Meet Alex!

Two images of Alex smiling; the Best Buddies logo is at the bottom of the image

Best Buddies is a “nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” I have been involved with Best Buddies for over 7 years now and my experience so far has been amazing. I have had the opportunity to do a lot of fun things and I am an ambassador and intern now which have helped me develop my leadership, public speaking, and self-advocacy skills over the past few years.

In 2018, I had the opportunity to speak at Oakhurst Country Club Golf Course in Grove City Ohio in 2018. I also got the opportunity to go to Bloomington, Indiana for a weekend at the end of July 2018 for a Best Buddies Leadership Conference to be on the Ambassador’s Track. I got to give a keynote speech at the Gala in 2018. I also got to lead a webinar called Spread the Word to End the Word. I also got to speak at the Miranova 2 Ohio Equities in the fall of 2018.

In May of 2019, I got to speak at The Ohio State House. I got to testify. At the beginning of the school year in 2019, I got to speak at the Best Buddies Information Session to people who wanted to join Best Buddies that are new. As an Ambassador, I have participated in Champion of the Year, which is a contest to see who can raise the most money for Best Buddies, for the past three years.

Being part of Best Buddies led to an internship. I intern virtually and write about what I do for Best Buddies, get more people involved with Best Buddies, and assist with developing their newsletter. I love that Best Buddies has allowed me the opportunity to build on and learn new skills, make and create new friendships that last a lifetime, get more involved in my community.

-Written by Alex Rogers, TOPS Student

Source: “About (Ohio).” Best Buddies International, 26 Oct. 2020, www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/about.

Students & Staff in Inclusive Higher Education: Do you want to be a Think College Policy Advocate?

If you or someone you know works for or attends a post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disability, you are qualified to apply to be a Think College Policy Advocate, and be supported to participate in the 2021 Disability Policy Seminar.

The Disability Policy Seminar, to be held fully on-line in 2021, offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. After two days of training and learning, attendees will participate in a day of meetings with their Members of Congress on Capital Hill.

Up to 10 teams, comprised of one student and one staff member, will be selected. Teams must be interested in learning more about public policy and be able to commit to the full series of activities over a year.

Applications are due by February 19, 2021; teams will be contacted on or about March 1, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Denise Rozell at AUCD: drozell@aucd.org.

Also, feel free to reach out to Jessie Green with any additional questions: Jessie.Green@osumc.edu

Here is the full information sheet: https://thinkcollege.net/think-college-news/students-staff-in-inclusive-higher-education-do-you-want-to-be-a-think-college

 

 

 

DODD Director Davis Discusses Ohio’s Vaccination Plan

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director, Jeff Davis, provides an update in the video below on Ohio’s Vaccination Plan Phase 1B and how Ohioans with developmental disabilities are a priority within the plan.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources

Image of a black graduation cap sitting on top of 3 bands of money to represent college scholarships

This is a good time of year to start thinking about scholarships and to make sure you complete your Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) application. Here are some resources we recommend looking into:

COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar TOMORROW

DODD to host free webinar Wednesday at 3 p.m. on COVID-19 vaccine questions, concerns

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) will host a free webinar from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. DODD Medical Director Dr. Laura Sorg will address common questions and concerns related to the vaccine. The event is a unique opportunity for people and families served as well as support professionals to hear about the vaccine from a DD services perspective.

All members of the DD community (including people served and family members) as well as professionals in the DD system (DSPs, SSAs, board leaders, etc.) are welcome to attend. Advance sign-up is required, and webinar information will be emailed directly to registrants with further instructions. To register, click below:

Registration (gotowebinar.com)