From wages for direct-support professionals to Medicaid to supported decision-making, advocates spoke out on issues important to the disability community during Legislative Advocacy Day.

“I’ve been writing lots of notes here about the issues raised,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo told the crowd.

She and several other central Ohio legislators – Sen. Hearcel Craig, Sen. Andrew Brenner, Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, and Sen. Bill DeMora – joined the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council and the Ohio Self Determination Association for the biennial event, held April 4 at the Columbus Metropolitan Library in Downtown Columbus.

Organizer and self-advocate Christine Brown said it was great to hear so many people share their concerns with policymakers during the state’s biennial budget process. Though the latest version of the budget does not include an increase in the Medicaid rates that support those wages, pay for direct-support professionals (DSPs) remains a focus.

“Without them, we can’t live our lives,” self-advocate Nick Comstock said. “We can’t come to events such as these.”

Rates were raised in the previous budget, but the cost of living has soared, and many DSPs struggle, advocates said.  Kelly Sadler told legislators she lives with her adult son because her DSP pay is too low to afford her own home.  “I love my job – I get such reward from working with the people,” she said. “But I need monetary reward to live.”

Advocates urged approval of a supported decision-making statute, the elimination of subminimum wages for people with disabilities, and the elimination of the so-called marriage penalty for people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income.

Brown also is pushing to raise the unearned income limit for workers with disabilities who rely on Medicaid.

“We have much to talk about,” Craig said. “I appreciate your advocacy, and for holding us accountable for what we do.”