Empowering Lives Through Self-Determination: Join the Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA)
Are you passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities to make their own life choices? The Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) is dedicated to advocating for the rights and independence of people with disabilities and might be the perfect organization for you to join.
Per the OSDA website, OSDA’s mission is to create change that empowers people with disabilities and their families to direct their lives. To achieve this, the association focuses on:
- Expanding awareness of self-determination principles.
- Providing training resources, such as Project Steps Towards Independence and Responsibility.
- Promoting and organizing advocacy efforts throughout Ohio.
- Assisting advocates in connecting with and educating policymakers to achieve leadership roles.
- Providing best-practice input to state and local governing organizations.
Vision
While the mission statement often serves as its primary directional guide, OSDA’s vision is centered on a society where people with disabilities are fully empowered through self-determination to make their own choices and lead independent lives.
Core Values
OSDA operates under the Principles of Self-Determination, which include:
– Freedom: Exercising the same rights as all citizens.
– Authority: Control over personal support budgets.
– Support: Decisions about assistance are made by the individual.
– Responsibility: Utilizing public funds wisely as an investment.
– Confirmation: Supporting individuals as leaders and mentors.
– Relationships, Dreams, and Choice: Key elements of a self-directed life.
Programs & Advocacy
Project STIR™ (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility): A flagship training program designed to provide self-advocates and their allies with practical tools to advocate for themselves, mobilize others, and gain leadership experience.
Policy Advocacy: The organization works to educate policymakers on issues affecting the disability community, such as funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and protecting vital services from budget cuts.
Synergy Conference: OSDA partners with organizations like the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals and People First of Ohio to host this unique event for side-by-side learning between people with disabilities, families, and professionals. Some projects that the Access Center for Independent is involved in are a part of the Synergy Conference. For example, we facilitated the peer mentoring training developed for the Ohio Peer Mentorship Project which was offered at the 2024 Synergy Conference.
Regional Support: The association is divided into five regions across Ohio to facilitate local training, information sharing, and advocacy.
Who Can Join?
– Self-Advocates: Individuals seeking leadership and independence.
– Family Members: Those looking to support loved ones in achieving autonomy.
– Professionals: Educators, social workers, and others in the disability sector.
– Organizations: Agencies and County Boards of Developmental Disabilities.
– Support Groups: Local advocacy groups at a collective rate.
How to Join
You can join by following these steps:
- Select Membership Type: Choose the level that fits your role. As of 2026, standard annual rates include:
-Self-Advocate: $10
-Family Member: $35
-Professional: $75
-Self-Advocacy Group: $1 per person
-Organizations: Fees range from $700 to $900, depending on the organization’s total annual revenue.
2. Complete the Form: Fill out the Online Membership Form on the OSDA website.
3. Payment: After submitting the form, you will be directed to a payment portal or can generate an invoice to pay by check.
For more information or to become a member, visit the OSDA website. Empower yourself and others—join OSDA today!