 Pictured from left to right: Jason Willis, Brumbaugh Construction Vice President; Tonya Clark, Darke DD Superintendent; Elizabeth Brewer, 2023 Darke County Jr. Fair Queen; Marla Werner, Darke County Agricultural Society Treasurer; Kimberly Hauck, DODD Director; Jessi Clark, Brumbaugh Construction Designer.
The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD) has long advocated for the equitable inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Recently, Darke DD partnered with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) Accessible Ohio program to enhance the accessibility of public spaces throughout the county.
To initiate this process, Darke DD sought funding from DODD for various accessibility features they identified in their community. DODD facilitated a grant opportunity for Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities to utilize the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for home- and community-based projects aimed at accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Before applying for the ARPA grant, Superintendent Tonya Clark contacted OOD’s Accessible Ohio team at the recommendation of DODD. Accessible Ohio Specialist Julia Wagner offered consultation on a range of features to inform their goals, gather estimated costs, and ultimately achieve their accessibility goals.
Tonya Clark, Darke DD Superintendent, was thrilled with the partnership. “I appreciate Julia’s help from Accessible Ohio on the various components so we could find exactly what was needed for our community,” she said.
Julia provided resources and information on platform lifts, universal changing tables, power mobility device charging stations, sensory spaces, accessible outdoors, accessible picnic tables, accessible routes, assistive listening devices, and more. This consultation and a $550,000 ARPA grant through DODD have supported numerous accessibility projects across the county:
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Universal Changing Tables: Four out of five universal changing tables have been installed across Darke County. They are located at the New Madison Public Library, Darke County Fairgrounds, EUM Church Worship Center, and YOLO Park in downtown Greenville. Plans are underway to install the fifth table at Walmart.
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Public Sensory Room: The first public sensory room opened on August 7, 2024, at the Darke County Fairgrounds. This space is designed for individuals to take a break during large events to manage their sensory needs. This space includes a universal changing table.
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Platform Lift: A platform lift was installed at Radiant Lighthouse Church, making it easier for attendees who utilize mobility devices such as wheelchairs to access the stage and baptismal area during events.
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Inclusive Meeting Equipment: Meeting Owl video conferencing equipment was installed in three meeting areas to enhance online meeting accessibility. The new 360-degree camera and sound automatically shift focus to different people in the room, improving overall video and audio quality for individuals attending meetings remotely.
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Accessible Pathways: 100 portable mats will be installed in Darke County Parks to create accessible pathways for individuals who use mobility devices and who have limitations with navigating uneven ground. In addition, durable mats will be placed around raised garden beds at the Bish Discovery Center.
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Picnic Tables: Two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables will be placed at the shelter house along the bike trail behind the Birchwood Training Center.
Darke DD also secured funding for pavement at the fairgrounds, an exterior ramp at the government center, door controls at three venues, accessible bikes at the Bish Discovery Center, RocketPen portable scanning devices at public libraries to assist people who have difficulty reading, and adaptive swings at every public playground.
“These collaborative efforts exemplify a proactive approach to enhancing community accessibility,” said OOD Director Kevin L. Miller. “We are not only enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities but also fostering a more inclusive environment for everyone in Darke County.”
“An inclusive community starts with being an accessible community. The work being done in Darke County serves as a model for what is possible when local leaders and state programs work together,” explained DODD Director Kimberly Hauck. “I applaud the county for recognizing and utilizing the resources available to them, such as grant opportunities and the Accessible Ohio program, to open the door to more opportunities for all people.”
Are you interested in starting an accessibility journey for your business, community, venue, or attraction? OOD can help! Simply email AccessibleOhio@ood.ohio.gov and one of our specialists will contact you soon.
OOD is seeking community partners to bring no-cost screenings and services to Ohioans with disabilities statewide. Our mobile services unit can be deployed throughout Ohio, offering flexible solutions for various partnership opportunities.
Partnership Opportunities Could Include:
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Screenings for Underserved Areas: Vision, hearing, medical, and behavioral health professionals can team up with OOD to conduct essential screenings in areas that lack access to these services.
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Hiring Event Support: Utilize our unit as an application station and interview preparation hub during hiring events. OOD’s uniquely qualified job placement specialists will help you ensure candidates are well-prepared for success.
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Career Readiness Guidance: Our staff is available to engage individuals in discussions about career readiness and planning services, helping them navigate their professional journeys. OOD is especially interested in opportunities where we can bring hands-on career exploration experiences to those who are ready to take the next step.
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Accessible Meeting Locations: The unit offers two confidential offices to serve as a meeting space in areas with limited public transportation, making it easier for individuals to access vital resources.
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Work Incentives Consultation: Our OOD Work Incentives Consultants are available at hiring events to provide valuable information on how employment may affect an individual’s benefits and public assistance.
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OOD Outreach: Collaborate with OOD to share about our wide range of services, including Vocational Rehabilitation, Employer Services for inclusive workplaces, Disability Determination assistance for Social Security benefits, and the Accessible Ohio program.
Benefits of Partnering with OOD
- No cost to event hosts
- Expanded venue space with electricity and privacy
- Flexible scheduling for single or multi-day events
Contact Us
To schedule the mobile services unit:
Please provide at least five weeks' notice when possible. Thank you!
Are you looking to help individuals with disabilities find employment? OODWorks.com has recently been enhanced to make it easier for professionals to refer their clients to OOD. These enhancements have simplified the referral process, ensuring professionals can safely, securely, and efficiently connect individuals with disabilities to OOD services.
- No downloading application forms
- No signatures are required
- No faxing paperwork or sending encrypted emails
- No difficulty keeping track of referrals
Professionals—like teachers, medical teams, and case managers—can refer someone for services by sending their full name, address, and contact information through the OOD Works portal. It’s that simple. Plus, now professionals can submit referrals for multiple clients in a single login.
Merlin Muhlhauser, Employment Specialist with Butler Behavioral Health Services, shares the user-friendly features of OODWorks.com in this video. This new website simplifies the process of referring individuals to OOD for services, making it accessible to everyone.
With OODWorks.com, Ohioans with disabilities can still sign up for an account to start the application process, upload documents, and communicate with our vocational rehabilitation staff.
It’s a win-win-win. Professionals save time, OOD gets information sooner, and individuals with disabilities get quicker access to services. Together, we can empower Ohioans with disabilities by connecting them to meaningful employment opportunities through OODWorks.com.
Assistive listening systems and assistive listening devices are designed to amplify sounds and reduce background noise, which helps improve clarity for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Venues hosting performances, presentations, tours, concerts, and meetings can implement these as part of their accessibility features, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all attendees.
Assistive listening systems use transmitters and receivers to deliver auditory input—such as a speaker’s voice—directly to individuals. For example, in a college lecture hall, assistive listening systems can help students who are hard of hearing by minimizing background noise, making sounds louder, and enhancing the clarity of the professor's voice.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires organizations with responsibilities under the law to provide effective communication for individuals with disabilities. This includes offering auxiliary aids and services when required, such as interpretation services, Braille or large print materials, captioning, and assistive listening systems and devices.
For more information, explore these accessibility guidelines and best practices for assistive listening systems and devices. You can also access our complete library of Accessible Ohio resources or contact our Accessible Ohio team for help beginning or enhancing your journey toward greater accessibility.
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