#AdvocacyMatters: Expanding our Reach

April 25, 2025 / #AdvocacyMatters

Last month our team launched a new series of introductory videos in 8 different languages, thanks to the generous support of the Ohio State Bar Foundation. This project was designed from the ground up to help raise awareness and understanding of our organization and our work among those typically underserved by existing service systems.

For more than a year, we met with underserved communities across the state. These listening sessions were hosted alongside a community partner, and the focus was clear: Understanding the specific needs of that community and the best way to connect with them. After meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Cleveland, a Spanish-speaking parent group, and Somalian families and community leaders in Columbus - as well as engaging with advocates in other underserved communities - work began to craft this new way to introduce ourselves.

The feedback received by these conversations was a vital part of our creative process, helping to make each video as effective as possible.

With a only a month of distribution behind us, we're proud to share that they are definitely getting noticed. Across our Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube channels these videos have been viewed more than 60,000 times, including 25,000 views of our non-English versions.

"Our mission - to advocate for an equitable Ohio for people with disabilities - can only be achieved if we are connecting to those who face the greatest barriers to accessing supports," DRO President and CEO Kerstin Sjoberg reflected. "By increasing awareness in these communities of who we are and what we do, we can be our most effective."

We invite you to join us in amplifying these messages. Click the links below to get started.

#AdvocacyMatters