1. Voices of greene County
Yearly Update
Voices of greene County

2. About the group
Voices of Greene County is a community based self-advocacy group that meets once or twice a month in the evenings in community locations.
Goals of the group include: building self-advocacy skills and working with the community to raise awareness about disability topics.

3. A look back on 2017 Completed “Disability Awareness” trainings to:
The Montgomery County Criminal Justice Council which included representatives from: Prosecutors’ Office, Dayton Police Department, Crime Lab, Juvenile Court, County Administrator.
Wright State Introduction to Developmental Disabilities class.
Group of volunteers working with Choices in Community Living.

4. 2017 continued…
Planned, coordinated and presented at their first “Self Advocacy Conference” at Wright State.
Attended by over 250 people.
Coordinated a Recreation Discovery Day at Wright State University which included yoga, RC racing, wall climbing and community providers.
Participated in the WYSO “Just Ask: Talking about Disability” project
Presented to providers about advocacy efforts.

5. 2017 continued…
Received an EDSY for collaboration between Voices of Greene County and Voices Matter- Montgomery County
Presented at the new Superintendents training.
Started a blog to raise awareness and share their thoughts.
Completed a service project for veterans and their families

6. 2017 continued…
Invited to attend and be recognized for their efforts at the John Pratt Legacy Award ceremony.
Completed presentation to SSAs and Behavior Support Specialists called “What I Wish My SSA Knew”

7. Going strong in 2018
Selected to present at the “Adventure Summit” in collaboration with FiveRivers Metroparks, Wright State University and Wagner Subaru.

8. 2018 continued…
2018 Self-Advocacy Conference was attended by more that 275 people.
Included break out sessions with the Advocates and a collaborative presentation with the Beavercreek Police.

9. 2018 continued…
Held the second annual Recreation Discovery Day with new and returning vendors and exhibits.

10. 2018 continued…
Presented at the SOAR conference with the Beavercreek Police department.

11. 2018 continued…
Mentored SALT teens group on advocating and speaking up.

12. 2018 continued…
Created a Job Tips presentation and shared it with Boot Camp crowd and SALT Teens.

13. 2018 continued…
Expanded their knowledge base by learning about new options (technology and remote supports).
Continued adding to the blog created in the first year.
Presented on Disability Awareness to local boy scout troops.

14. 2018 continued…
Collaborated with existing Optimist Clubs in the area to create the first Optimist Club in the nation with all elected positions held by people with disabilities.

15. A look ahead
Working on “Why Advocacy is Important to Me” presentation.
The group would like to start working with local fire departments to add their personal safety presentation.
Video presentation of “What I Wish My SSA Knew” is in the works.
Already scheduling presentations with local school districts about disability awareness and advocacy.
Planning to bring the “Disability History” traveling exhibit to Wright State during the 2019 annual conference.