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About People First of Ohio

We believe that all people with disabilities should be treated as equal and be able to speak up for what they want by serving as leaders and working together as a team with all members of the community.

People First of Ohio assists people with disabilities who are self-advocates to talk about their needs and rights with people in their communities. Self-advocates make sure that people with disabilities have the right to do what they want in their lives, are responsible for their own choices , and have the right to live and do things in the community like other citizens.

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History

Local Chapters

People First began in Ohio in 1998 by a group of self-advocates who wanted to improve their abilities to represent themselves and to train others to be self-advocates. People First of Ohio has members from teens through adults.

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Statewide Advocacy

People First of Ohio is a statewide organization that works with state legislators and builds relationships with other advocacy groups and state agencies. These relationships promote better interaction among people who make decisions in the communities and the state. People First believes that if policymakers begin to really know people with disabilities, they will be able to make positive changes with them.

People First of Ohio helps to set up local chapters of people with disabilities who are self-advocates. The chapters focus on helping others with disabilities become self-advocates. Local Chapters work mostly on local issues and report to the state what they would like to see happen on a state/federal level.​

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Organizational Leadership

Leaders of People First of Ohio are themselves people with disabilities.  Board members  must belong to a People First Chapter in Ohio and are elected to represent their region at the state level.