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Upcoming Events April 26-28: Solidarity Conference 28-29: Coshocton Chapter Founding May 3: The National Conference on Diversity, Race and Learning 13-15: PFO Board Meeting 25: The Arc of Ohio at Cedar Point For more information please view our People First Calendar. Have Something to Promote? Want to list your event on our web site and/or in the newsletter? Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text12946 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information. If you would like to opt out of receiving the monthly newsletter, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Creative Thoughts 
It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do." The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success. Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, Fortune favors the brave. |
Welcome! This is People First of Ohio 's first-ever monthly newsletter! We hope you enjoy staying up-to-date with all the latest information. What's Been Happening? Cruisin' Into Employment 2011 Conference is a Success! With over 400 people with disabilities in attendance and almost 100 volunteers, the 2011 People First of Ohio Conference was awesome! With the them of employment, the conference was educational, social and fun. Saturday's workshops included professional looking clothing and personal hygiene, writing and submitting employment documentation to possible employers, Medicaid Buy-In information, and a presentation from Community Fund Management Foundation. Guest speakers throughout the conference included: Kerstin Sjoberg-Witt with Ohio Legal Rights, Margie Pizzuti with Goodwill Services of Columbus, Mitch Morgan of 5/3 Bank, Sue Hetrick with Abilities Center in Toledo, Director John Martin with the Ohio Board of DD, and Briggs Hamor with Pro-op. Although many advocates entertained themselves at the indoor pool, there was entertainment each evening. On Thursday, "People First has Talent" was judged by Sharon Osborne, David Hasselhoff, Frick and Frack. Many chapters submitted very talented acts of educational and entertainment quality. Friday evening was the "Red Carpet Gala" and was attended by Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and many other celebrities. King Paul and Queen Angel were crowned. Finally, on Saturday, the conference was concluded with an election and board meeting. Current officers can be viewed here.
A Word From A Board Officer PEOPLE FIRST BOARD MEMBERS GO OUT INTO DIFFERENT AREAS  As I begin in my third term as a board member for People First of Ohio, I look back within the past six years, and see the changes that had taken place in my life. Upon entering People First back in 2005, the first thing that I noticed, and made me want to join this organization, was wanting to change lives for the better for ALL disabled citizens across the state of Ohio. Attending our board member's meetings, I had gotten the chance to witnessed it first hand, by helping change documents by putting it in people first language, in order that people could understand the meaning behind the message, plus many other things, including helping to put in the Developmental Disabilities name change for the state. Besides of working on issues across Ohio, I also witnessed people had the chance to step out of their comfort zone, to expand their wings, to try something new to help this organization, and most of all, to help to build more confidence for themselves. I, not only witnessed this first hand, but I was also one of them who expanded my wings in People First, and beyond. At one of our board member meetings, I was nominated by the board to be our People First representative to be on the developmental disabilities future planning committee a couple of years ago. From out of this committee, which broke up into four smaller sub-committees, which I was placed in one, to work in a specific topic, came over thirty some recommendations that the committee would liked to see change, changes for the better for disabled Ohioians. This was my first time that I was asked to do something for all people that has disabilities across the state, plus working with superintendents, legislatures, and other important people around the state of Ohio, therefore I was very nervous at first. This was a eight months long process, thus the nervous feeling that I had, went away, and I was then finally able to relax and to focus on the task that was before me. During the eight months, I was able to give my opinion and suggestions to the sub-committee, and the whole committee of what I thought should be done around Ohio, thus impressed those who had worked beside me.From out of the future planning committee, I was then asked to be on the Ohio Center for Autism and for Low Incidence, (OCALI), I was asked to be on their advisory board committee, since there was a slot opened for a person that had a disability. The goal for the board is to try to improve lives for the better for people that have autism from birth, up their lifespan, this could mean education for ages 3-21, provide the best programs for the individual to enhance their learning skill, or it could also mean providing transitional work training for individual who is entering in the work force. Not only OCALI is for individuals that has autism, but also for individuals with low incidences, some types of these disabilities may include, hearing impaired, the visually impaired, people that has spine abifia, and people with cerebral palsy, which I have. Since I use a communication device, one of my role on the board is based around assistive technology, assistive technology could mean all things that aide individuals throughout their life, via computer, to pencil grippers. I had came so far since 2005, that I had never thought that I would work for the lives for so many, I only at first was concern about my future, but after finding out about People First of Ohio, I was able to branched out, to aide others. Yes, it is a self advocacy group that consists of 24 board members that has different types of disabilities, that works to try to help to improve lives for the better across the state, but it also means so much more to me. As I, and others who had and still is working within the group, we were and are able to expand our wings to work on serious issues, and sometimes, like I did, our works can branch out in more different areas, such as OCALI. I may not be able to look into the future, but based on my past, the future looks bright for me, thanks to People First of Ohio, for giving me the opportunity to expand my wings. by Bill Adams, Vice President of People First of Ohio Chapter Corner  Pickaway CountyPeople First of Pickaway County did the Disability Awareness Week, and half of the officers got to play basketball. It was an exciting game but we ended up losing. We also had a table set up. Randy Beach was presented with an Advocacy Plaque. -Mike Groleau  Champaign CountyPeople First of Champaign County took seven members and 6 support staff to the conference in Wilmington that was sponsored by People First of Ohio on March 17-19. It was enjoyed by all that attended. This past Wednesday we had a mayor candidate and a city councilman coming to our people first meeting to campaign for election and re-election April 13. -John Hannah People First of Ohio is funded by:   |
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