Although it is still winter and Groundhog’s Day revealed an early spring, we are already thinking about summer.

The picnics, vacations, swimming pools, camps, and, of course, the Fair!

Yes, it’s time to think about the summer fairs and the endless fun provided to individuals across the state as they experience the rides, games, shows, competitions, and the food – mouth-watering funnels cakes, elephant ears and deep fried, well, just about anything.

And for those involved in organizing these annual community gatherings, planning for the 2020 season began months ago. In fact, fair staff from across Ohio gathered in early January to network with old friends, connect with new members, learn about the latest attractions, and share experiences. And, this year, OCALI was able to join in on their early planning by providing information on creating a sensory friendly environment.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for OCALI to connect with communities across the state to advance our mission of inspiring change and promoting access,” shares Jen Bavry, Program Director Family and Community Outreach Center at OCALI. “As the Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler stated last year ‘the Ohio State Fair isn’t just about the food and rides – it is about the community’ and I couldn’t agree more. When we all come together, we create greater access to meaningful experiences and social opportunities for all individuals in their communities.”

Jen, along with Alicia Shoults, Marketing & Public Relations Director, Ohio Expo Center and State Fair presented to managers and staff at the 95th Ohio Fair Managers Association Convention on January 3, 2020. The session provided an opportunity for participants to learn about the experiences from the first Sensory Friendly Morning at the Ohio State Fair, gain a better understanding of sensory processing and how to provide an environment that accommodates sensory differences, and discuss tools to support hosting a sensory friendly morning. 

“It was wonderful to be able to join this group,” explains Bavry. “There was such great energy and interest in the room as we shared our experience, as well as tips to support them in making their community event more accessible. For many, it was just a matter of taking a different approach to the great things they are already doing.”

Session participants were able to walk away with resources to help them in creating sensory friendly environments in their communities, including a checklist of things to consider when planning for their summer fair.

“Ohio’s county and independent fairs are incredibly interested in becoming more inclusive, “ shares Alicia Shoults, “Speaking with representatives from these fairs at the Ohio Fair Manager’s Association convention facilitated an open dialogue on how our fairs can become more sensory-friendly statewide. We feel incredibly fortunate for our partnership with the experts at OCALI. Their insights and expertise allowed us to get a great start in 2019, and we are already building on that momentum with expanded plans for the 2020 Ohio State Fair. This is just the beginning of a wonderful partnership.”

That’s right, planning for the 2020 Ohio State Fair is underway. The Ohio State Fair will once again host a Sensory Friendly Morning. The morning will offer a similar experience as last year with the lights lowered and sounds turned down. Fairgoers needing a break can relax in the OCALI Quiet Room or take in the shade and peaceful surroundings offered by the Ohio State Fair’s own eight-acre Natural Resources Park. In addition to the Sensory Friendly morning, the Ohio State Fair will continue to build on its efforts to expand access and ensure inclusivity during the entire length of the Fair, running July 29 through August 9, 2020.

Save the Date!
Sensory Friendly Morning
Ohio State Fair 2020
August 5, 2020
9:00-1:00 p.m.

Stay tuned for more information about the Ohio State Fair Sensory Friendly morning, including a special parking permit, sensory friendly activities, and resources to support your visit.

In the fall of 2019, Ohio’s Interagency Work Group on Autism (IWGA) conducted a survey of young adults with autism and/or other special health care needs (i.e., diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, etc.) who had recently exited high school.

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition has identified predictors of post-school success, things that can be done in high school to increase the likelihood youth will further their education, get and keep a job, and live more independently. While Ohio’s response rate was low, data from the IWGA survey supports these predictors. Specifically, the survey highlighted two key predictors: work experience and self-determination (as evidenced by IEP participation). A few highlights of the survey include:

• Students with work experience in high school were significantly more likely to pursue additional training or education, have a job currently and experience success finding and keeping a job.
• Students who actively participated in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings were more likely to go to college or get additional training after high school, look for a job, and/or be working.
• Of those students surveyed who had no work experience in high school: 70% did not pursue additional education or training; 80% did not get a job after high school; and 75% still don’t have a job.
• Only 50% of students not actively participating in their IEP meetings have looked for a job.

More results can be found here. The survey also asked questions about access to medical care and insurance, which will be shared in future issues of OCALI Now.

By: Shawn Henry, Executive Director, OCALI

Perspective and possibilities—as we wrap up 2019, these are two words that I’ve been reflecting on over the past few weeks. The end of the year at OCALI is an extremely busy time, but also a time of incredible celebration. Just a few weeks ago, on November 20-22, our team hosted nearly 3,200 attendees from around the world at OCALICON—the nation’s premier autism and disabilities conference.

The growth of this conference has been incredible—steadily growing each year. We love seeing that this event fits a need for so many. But, what’s even more exciting and special to me is the community that we’re creating together. It’s a community of people from all over the world, serving in different roles with different ideas and opinions. It’s this type of community that creates an environment of innovation, learning, exploring, and true connection—all aimed at promoting access and inspiring change for people with disabilities and those who love, care for, and support them. From educators, service providers, parents/families, self-advocates, community leaders, policy makers, and others, we’re striving to connect each other to create and expand accessible and inclusive opportunities for all.

Continue reading “Perspective & Possibilities: Celebrating 2019 and Ready to Kick-Off a New Decade” →

 

On November 20-22, more than 3,100 state and national leaders, K-12 education leaders and practitioners, service providers, policy makers, families and self-advocates from 39 states and three countries gathered in Columbus, Ohio at OCALICON. Now in its 13th year, OCALICON 2019 had record-breaking attendance—a trend that has continued over the past three years.

Rather than writing a traditional recap article, we decided to ask a few attendees to share their personal experiences at OCALICON. Don’t forget to save the dates for next year’s conference—November 11-13, 2020, once again at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Details will be coming soon!

Continue reading “A Look Back at OCALICON 2019: Stories from Attendees” →

Hot off the press is OCALI’s brand new podcast, Inspiring Change. Take an audio journey with OCALI through our monthly forum of stories and connections from our ongoing work of inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities.

Through candid interviews and conversations with leaders and partners in the field of disability, as well as parents, community members, self-advocates, and others, listeners will discover and understand how different ideas, perspectives, and experiences help fuel OCALI’s continued efforts to impact lives in Ohio and beyond. 

Continue reading “Inspiring Change: A New Podcast from OCALI” →

Imagine that it’s a typical Saturday night, and you and your family head to a local restaurant for dinner. You walk in and there’s a line out the door. You see service staff buzzing around with trays of food, kitchen staff spouting out orders, and dozens of tables squeezed close together. While this sensory-stimulating environment may not interfere with most people’s dining experience, families with loved ones with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may not be able to easily dine out because of the challenging environment restaurants present.

Designed to provide an inclusive, sensory-friendly, and fun night out for people with autism and their families, Hospitality Listens is a free, dining event hosted by the Hospitality Management Program at The Ohio State University, in partnership with OCALI.

Continue reading “Be Our Guest—Creating an Inclusive, Fun-Filled Family Dining Experience” →

As noted in the October edition of OCALI Now, efforts are underway to develop an action plan to reduce custody relinquishment and improve outcomes for multi-system youth and their families. As part of the Multi-System Youth Action Plan Committee, the Office of Policy is leading a work group focused on modernizing Family and Children First Council, and continues to raise issues and concerns shared by families who have multi-system youth with disabilities. Other work groups include: data; peer mentoring; high fidelity wrap around; safety-net funding; and legal/financial conditions that lead to custody relinquishment.

The Multi-System Youth Action Plan Committee and working groups will meet throughout November and into December. According to the Governor’s office, “Based on this evaluation and action plan, funds will be made available for both sustainability efforts and technical assistance.” Additional coverage of this issue can be found in a WOSU radio broadcast or this Columbus Dispatch article

There’s been no shortage of opportunities for the Office of Policy to partner with stakeholders and elevate the voice of people with disabilities and their families.

Continue reading “Office of Policy Update – October 2019” →

People with disabilities and those who support them need access to the right materials, technology, and training to ensure they can live their best lives for their whole lives.

To build their capacity, OCALI provides online training, coaching, professional development, and technical assistance to school districts, human service agencies, families, and many others. Using evidence-based strategies with real-life examples, we help to increase people’s knowledge and enhance their practices to better serve and support individuals, families, and professionals.

Check out our latest offerings and resources.

Continue reading “Check Out Our Newest Resources” →