The process began more than two years ago when a group of people with developmental disabilities attended the Athens County Board of MRDD meeting and said they didn’t like being called retarded. Stewart indicated that he decided to sponsor this legislation because he knew in his heart it was the right thing to do. The House version of the bill was introduced by Rep. Debbie Phillips and Rep. Deborah Newcomb.
Representative Richard Adams of Ohio House District 79 said, “I believe this legislation is long overdue. I was proud to add my name as a co-sponsor and vote for this bill on the House floor.”
The law included an amendment that allows county boards of developmental disabilities to use all of their surplus brochures, letterhead, envelopes and other printed supplies to eliminate any waste of materials which have already been purchased. Building signage at the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities will change immediately to begin the process of acquainting the community with the new name.
The newly named Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities will still also be known by its community name of Riverside of Miami County. The Riverside name came about in the 1950’s from a grassroots parents’ movement that began the initial program.
“We thought about discontinuing our Riverside name, but it would have been confusing. So for now we will keep our community name which the community recognizes,” said Superintendent Mayer.
“Every legislator understood that this bill wasn’t about money or politics. It was about the people with developmental disabilities who asked for this change and their families,” said Linda Oda, director of communications for the Ohio Association of County Boards of MRDD. Oda indicated the association is expected to make the name change in the near future. She also said much of the credit for the passage of the bill should be given not only to the self-advocates of Athens County, but also to other advocates from throughout the State who were in attendance when legislators voted on the bill.
The mission of the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to live, work and play as full members of the Miami County community.