Outrage at Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities Conference: Facilitators Encourage Derogatory Terms to Describe Families of Disabled Individuals
COLUMBUS, OH - July 29, 2024 - At the recent Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (OACB) conference, a disturbing and offensive training session has sparked outrage among families of people with disabilities and advocates across the state. Facilitators at the May 2024 conference shockingly encouraged attendees to label families of disabled individuals with derogatory terms such as "lazy," "greedy," "mental," "ick," and "entitled."
In a reprehensible display, facilitators laughed and incited the crowd as these hurtful labels were submitted via a smartphone app. One facilitator even performed a mock ‘demon voice’ impression of family members, while another praised the derogatory descriptions, saying, “That’s a good one, greedy and entitled, that’s a good one.” This behavior is not only unprofessional but profoundly disrespectful to the families whose loved ones rely on developmental disability services from their county boards.
These incidents have been widely shared on social media, with videos garnering thousands of views on Facebook and TikTok, underscoring the public's outrage and concern. Watch the videos on YouTube here.
The OACB attempted to justify this session as part of an “empathy” training exercise. However, recordings reveal that genuine discussion of empathy lasted a mere 14 seconds. The incident has prompted widespread condemnation from individuals with disabilities, their families, and grassroots advocacy groups.
Despite the backlash, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Director Kimberly Hauck has remained silent on the issue. In response, a petition has been launched demanding immediate action and accountability. The petition calls for:
Resignation of the Facilitators: Immediate resignation of facilitators involved, including Pickaway County Superintendent Marie Wilbanks, Wood County Director of Fiscal Services Stacy Cox, Allen County Director of Community Support Melissa Ricker, Miami County Service and Support Administrator Karen Armentrout, and OACB Service and Support Advisor Lisa Comes.
Public Denouncement: A public denouncement from Governor DeWine and Director Hauck condemning the use of derogatory terms when referring to families of people with disabilities and affirming their commitment to respect and dignity for all.
Comprehensive Sensitivity Training: Hiring a qualified professional to deliver evidence-based sensitivity training to all conference attendees and county board employees across Ohio, ensuring that respect and empathy are at the core of their interactions with the families they serve.
Stephanie Murray, a parent whose son receives services through his county board of developmental disabilities, expressed her distress: “We do everything we do every day out of love. It’s so hurtful to be viewed in that way by these people... to get called ‘lazy’ and ‘ungrateful’ by those supposed to help you help your child. It makes me feel like the state is not safe for my child if this is how they view us.”
This incident underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure that case workers for individuals with disabilities treat all families with the respect and professionalism they deserve. Supporters are urged to sign the petition to demand accountability and change.
For more information or to sign the petition, please visit https://chng.it/PxDM62Rqg9
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