Jocelyn + Debbie

Jocelyn and Debbie have been working together for many years. Jocelyn has been learning more about her disability over the years and Debbie has been a wonderful support for her to help her get to conferences to learn how to advocate for herself and others who have disabilities.

Jocelyn is a wonderful advocate and role model. She has gone to college to get her Associates Degree and she works two jobs in the community! She is truly an inspiration! Make sure you check out the billboard that she will be featured on in October for Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Stories, EmploymentBrittany CoonSeptember 30, 2019DSP, Thank you DSPs, Employment, disability employment awareness month, Disability Awareness, developmental disability awareness month, advocate, Advocacy

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Luncheon 2019

As March comes to a close, it’s so wonderful to take some time to reflect on how amazing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is. We have been honored to be able to speak to Ohio State Legislators, have a fun evening dancing the night away, had a few Sensory Sensitive Movie showings, two Lego Club events, hosted our annual coloring and essay contest with all public schools in Knox County, and we had an amazing luncheon where we were able to honor so many great community leaders who make Knox County so amazing to live, work and thrive in.

At our DD Month Luncheon we discussed how technology can assist people who have developmental disabilities be more independent and have fuller lives. We were also able to honor 6 different people/groups who make Knox County so amazing.

Local Hero Award: Terri Pribonic, New Hope Industries

Employer Award: Justin Newell, Kenyon College Athletics

Community Partner Award: Public Library of Knox County and Mount Vernon

Community Partner Award: Premiere Theatre 7

Dedication Award: Tiffany Cagnon, Midwest Community

Individual Spotlight Award: Jocelyn Gilardi

Thank you for making Knox County so great!

Events, StoriesBrittany CoonMarch 29, 2019Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityDevelopmental Disabilities, developmental disability awareness month, Disability Awareness, luncheon, awards

DD Awareness & Advocacy Day

“The Developmental Disability (DD) Advocacy and Awareness Day is an annual event that has taken place for over a decade at The Ohio Statehouse in March which is DD Awareness Month. The purpose of this event is to educate and empower people with developmental disabilities, their family members and other community allies to come together on a single day to advocate policy issues which impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities.”

Knox County had several self-advocates attend this event and were able to advocate for people with disabilities in our communities. Great job, everyone!

https://ddohio.wordpress.com/about/

Events, Aktion ClubBrittany CoonMarch 8, 2019self advocacy, advocate, Advocacy, deve, Developmental Disabilities, Disability Awareness, developmental disability awareness month