Advocacy
Advocacy Department Staff:
Becky Strieff - Housing Advocate
Jennifer Kirby – Education Advocacy Manager
Suzanne Van Hee – Education Advocate
The Advocacy Department of the Ability Center of Greater Toledo is committed to providing quality, consumer-focused, advocacy services to persons with disabilities, their families and other natural supports. We provide advocacy representation to individuals living with disabilities who are facing discrimination on the basis of disability and/or being prevented from accessing community and/or governmental resources as a result of disability.
Although the advocates in our department are not attorneys, we are experienced with and knowledgeable about applicable state and federal civil rights laws and how these laws apply to individuals living with disabilities. Our mission is to provide advocacy representation that is in sync with our areas of expertise. However, we are also committed to educating the consumer as to “how” he/she might become a more effective self-advocate.
BREAKING NEWS! – September 18, 2009 : ACT, TPS REACH RESOLUTION! SEE STORY HERE:
Our Approach
It is our intent to investigate allegations or complaints brought to our attention by a consumer or by a member of the consumer’s circle of support. We meet with the consumer to obtain the necessary information. Then, through investigation, we determine whether or not actions can be taken to assist the consumer. If we believe we are unable to assist the consumer with his/her issue or concern, then a referral is made to the appropriate agency. Some of the organizations that may receive a referral from our department include:
1. The Ohio Legal Rights Service (the protection and advocacy service in Ohio);
2. Legal Aid of Western Ohio (legal services in northwest Ohio): and
3. Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE).
If there is a concern regarding the possible abuse and/or neglect of an individual with a disability, then the person and/or his/her support person or representative will be assisted with filing an administrative complaint with the appropriate agency.
Since there are a variety of potential complaints that can be filed against a community or governmental entity, it is not possible to list them all here. This said, the Ability Center is also aware that there are multiple regulatory organizations responsible for ensuring the health and safety of individuals living with disabilities in certain programs and we are dedicated to preserving the rights of our consumers in all settings.
Who We Are
We are four advocates who possess collectively over 45 years of experience in the realm of disability rights and advocacy representation.
Currently, our Housing Advocate, Rebecca Strieff, assist with issues that include “reasonable accommodation” in housing and in employment; eviction prevention; disability-based discrimination and access to services. We also assist in the filing of administrative complaints with appropriate agencies when necessary. We also provide training to individuals living with disabilities and their families in the development of advocacy skills including self-advocacy.
Educational Advocacy Manager, Jennifer Kirby, and Educational Advocate, Suzanne Van Hee, provide support in Special Education law and advocacy. Each has 12 to 15 years of experience advocating within both public and private school settings. They have been successful assisting children with disabilities and their families with obtaining a “Free and Appropriate Education.” Both also work to provide quality advocacy representation to families in matters that are referenced in the “What We Do” section of this page.
What We Do
Our representation includes advocacy in the following types of situations:
1. Discrimination on the basis of disability in housing (Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended);
2. Discrimination on the basis of disability in employment (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended);
3. Discrimination on the basis of disability in higher education, in public accommodations, in governmental programs and in buildings (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended) and in public education;
4. Failure by a school district to provide an appropriate Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”) specified in IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) or failure to implement the IEP; we also assist with and attend Manifestation Determinations as advocates.
5. Failure to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a “504 plan”;
6. Advocacy assistance for students with disabilities in public education who are facing expulsion from school as a result of disability; students with disabilities who are being denied a FAPE (“Free and Appropriate Public Education”), or who are being denied an assessment to determine eligibility for special education services and advocacy for students in regards to Evaluation Team Reports (a/k/a ETRs or formerly known as Multifactored Evaluations);
7. incidents of abuse and neglect that may be occurring or that have occurred in an institution or in a public school;
8. Assistance with access to community and government resources such as:
• services from the county board of MR/DD, the mental health services board,
• waiver services such as the Ohio Home Care Waiver, the PASSPORT waiver, and the Independent Options Waiver;
• accessing government benefits such as Medicaid, Disability Financial Assistance, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income and Food stamps;
• providing representation, when appropriate, at administrative hearings at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services when a service has been denied, suspended, terminated or reduced such that it will interfere with the consumer’s ability to live in the community.
The Intake Process
The Advocacy Department can be accessed easily by calling The Ability Center at 419-885-5733 or 866-885-5733 (Toll-Free), between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. When calling, let the receptionist know that you are calling with an advocacy issue.
The Intake process for the Special Education Program can be accessed in the same way. Or, you may complete an on-line intake form that is located below.
We will respond to your request within 48 hours from the date that it is received.
