People with developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to speak directly to central Ohio lawmakers during an advocacy forum March 31.

The event, which first began in 2013 but was postponed in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allows people to share views, raise concerns and make suggestions about issues important to the local disability community.

“Legislators hear from the professional side a lot,” said Christine Brown, a member of the Self-Advocate Advisory Council of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “But if we individuals didn’t exist, the county boards and the human services field wouldn’t exist. Our voice matters. We’re the assets in this job.”

The council is a co-sponsor of the event, along with the Ohio Self Determination Association, FCBDD and ARC Industries, Inc. It will be held at 10 a.m. March 31 at Bixby Center, 4200 Bixby Rd. in Groveport.

“I’m really impressed with the initiative of our Self-Advocate Advisory Council,” said FCBDD Superintendent/CEO Jed Morison. “We appreciate their work, and also the willingness of our local legislators to attend.”

Central Ohio has four state senators and 12 state representatives whose districts include all or parts of Franklin County. All are invited.