Advocacy Resources
Good Life Ambassadors
Cuyahoga DD Good Life Ambassadors (GLAs) are adults with developmental disabilities who promote inclusion and advocacy.
GLAs share their experiences to encourage acceptance of disabilities and inclusion. They give presentations on topics like how to interact with people with disabilities and why equity and inclusion are important in the workplace.
Good Life Ambassador presentations are free and can be in-person or virtual. We can customize them to fit your audience's needs. Please give us at least four weeks’ notice before the presentation.
- Candace
- Grace
- Janie
- Shaye
Leadership Council
The Leadership Council helps improve services for people with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County. They share ideas and feedback about Board programs and supports. Council members represent the voices of the developmental disabilities community and advocate for their needs.
This is a volunteer position for people with developmental disabilities, ages 18 and older, who live in Cuyahoga County and receive or have recently received services from Cuyahoga DD. Members serve for a limited time.
Responsibilities
- Talk with board staff about Cuyahoga DD programs, services, products, and supports
- Share ideas to improve programs
- Communicate the unmet needs of people with developmental disabilities
- Recommend resources to strengthen Cuyahoga DD initiatives
- Find ways for Cuyahoga DD to increase advocacy efforts
- Share Cuyahoga DD opportunities with others in the developmental disabilities community
- Provide feedback on the Board's planning process
- Support Cuyahoga DD’s Strategic Plan
- Be available to test products, services, or programs when needed
Social Clubs and Events
Best Buddies Ohio
Best Buddies in Ohio offers programs that help people with and without intellectual disabilities make friends and develop leadership skills. These programs help individuals with intellectual disabilities build meaningful friendships, find jobs, communicate more effectively, advocate for themselves, and live independently.
They also provide support for families. Best Buddies organizes various in-person social events across Ohio.
Visit their website, bestbuddies.org/ohio, for more information about services and programs.
Review and register for events at bestbuddies.org/ohio/events.
We Thrive Together
The Bulldogs: A Virtual Social Club for Individuals with Disabilities
Whether you want to exercise with fun workouts, learn about new technology, play games like Family Feud and Jeopardy, or enjoy art and craft classes, there’s something for everyone. You can join virtual trips, karaoke, book clubs, bingo, advocacy events, or animal safaris. Every event aims to empower, entertain, and energize you.
Ready to meet new people, make friends, and have an absolute blast? Join The Bulldogs and view all future events at wethrivetogether.org.
Friends Forever
Friends Forever, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities enjoy recreational, educational, and social activities.
They offer a weekly bowling league that meets every Saturday from September to April at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights. The season ends with a special banquet in May, where bowlers receive trophies for their participation.
To join, there is a $75.00 membership fee per participant, per year.
- Bowlers also pay $10 each week to participate in the league.
- Membership is valid from September 1st to August 31st.
Visit their website at friendsforeverinc.org. Complete a membership form at friendsforeverinc.org/membership.
Advocacy Organizations with Social Opportunities
The Arc of Ohio
The Arc of Ohio is a grassroots group that fights for the rights and dignity of people with developmental disabilities. They focus on helping these individuals take part in their communities through advocacy, education, and family support.
They have a monthly e-newsletter that shares ways for people to get involved in advocacy and lists upcoming virtual and in-person events, conferences, and social gatherings.
To sign up for The Arc of Ohio e-newsletter and find out more about upcoming events, visit their website at thearcofohio.org.
People First of Northeast Ohio
People First of Northeast Ohio is a self-advocacy group for adults with developmental disabilities in Northeast Ohio. Membership is free.
They care about:
- Having their voices heard
- Empowering one another
- Nothing about us without us
- Education
- Diversity
- Equality
- Inclusion
- Spreading Awareness
They meet virtually on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm.
If you are interested in participating, contact Amy Mordaunt via email at amy.mordaunt@thearcofohio.org or visit their website at peoplefirstohio.org.
Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP)
LEAP is a federally recognized Center for Independent Living (CIL). CILs are non-residential places of action and coalition where persons with disabilities learn and develop necessary skills, empowering them to make their own life choices. LEAP offers programs for advocacy, peer support, community education, employment, benefits navigation and assistance, public policy advocacy and partnerships, and more.
They recently announced new virtual peer support groups. Visit their website at leapinfo.org to learn more.
Learn more about two LEAP programs below.
Disability Rising CLE
The community advocacy group is for people ages 17 and older.
It is led by individuals with disabilities and provides:
- A space to connect with others who share similar interests and passions.
- Offers a chance to create change in the community.
- Access to LEAP's expertise on policies and laws to help them advocate for issues that matter to them personally.
Members work with LEAP advocacy staff to get answers on how to advocate to local, state, and federal agencies, including representatives, and to develop and support self-advocacy skills.
Quantum LEAP
Quantum LEAP provides social, recreational, and sports activities for adults with disabilities aged 18 and older living in Cuyahoga County.
They offer year-round programs specifically designed or modified for people with disabilities and seniors. Activities can last from one day to four to six weeks and change throughout the year.
For more information about Quantum LEAP and a calendar of events, visit their website at leapinfo.org/services/recreation/about-quantum-leap.
Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility)
Project STIR™ is a training program that helps people with disabilities and their supporters learn how to advocate for themselves.It provides them with tools to work together on advocacy and gain leadership experience.
This program is offered by the Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA), a non-profit organization focused on promoting self-determination. OSDA raises awareness about self-determination principles, offers training resources, and supports advocacy efforts.
Project STIR™ includes:
- Knowing Yourself
- Communicating Assertively
- Problem Solving and Negotiating
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination
- Starting a Self-Advocacy Group
- Being Part of the Community
- Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse
Visit their website to learn more at osdaohio.org/project-stir.