Mansfield, Ohio – Twenty-four people representing businesses, schools, and agencies in Richland County Thursday got to experience firsthand what it means to have a disability as Richland Newhope sponsored its 14th Annual Community Awareness Day.
The event was the last of three major local activities marking Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
The purpose of Community Awareness Day is to increase knowledge and understanding of how a disability can impact someone’s life. An even more important goal is to highlight a person’s abilities and to show that people with developmental disabilities can be valuable members of our community.
“People with developmental disabilities work, go to school, attend church, volunteer, and play sports just like everyone else,” said Richland Newhope Director of Community Relations Jane Imbody. “We urge area residents to focus on a person’s abilities and what he or she can do. It’s also vital that our communities provide people with disabilities opportunities to be successful.”
During Community Awareness Day, participants are paired with individuals served by Newhope, along with a staff member, and they are given a simulated “disability.” Some participants are required, for example, to use a wheelchair, walker, brace, or goggles that impair vision.
Below, David Baumann from Mechanics Bank tries the Hoyer lift at Richland Newhope Industries. The lift helps individuals who have reduced strength or muscle control.
The simulated disability activity lasted about two hours and took place in several locations, including Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. at 150 E. 4th St, Raintree at 721 Scholl Rd., the Early Childhood Center at 255 Hedges St, Richland Newhope Industries, Inc. at 985 W. Longview Ave., City Garden Café, and Element of Art Studio/Gallery at 96 N. Main St.
The Community Awareness Day event ended with a luncheon where the participants described their experience.
Val Ashcraft from Ohio Dreams walked the beam in the Therapy Department at the Early Childhood Center.
This year’s participants are members of the Mansfield-Richland Area Educational Foundation’s 2014- 2015 Leadership Unlimited class. They are David Baumann, Mechanics Bank; Tina Buckingham, American Red Cross; Martin Dzugan, Pioneer Career & Technology Center; Brad Downs, MHS Industrial; Michael Manning, Emerson/Therm-O-Disc; Randy Stiteler, SunGraphics; Craig Ali, North Central State College; Kelly Andress, Ohio Health MedCentral; Timothy Hilterman, Boyd-Eichinger- Brafford Group; Dan Varn, United Way of Richland County; Kevin VanBuskirk, Cooper Enterprises; D.J. Daniels, Gorman-Rupp Co.; Christina Drain, OSU-Mansfield; Chris May, Mansfield-Richland Co. Public Library; Brian Schmidt, Schmidt Security Pro; Jodi Seals, Staffing Partners; Noah Johnson, My Town Partners; Beth Malaska, Richland Bank; Allie Watson, Richland County Foundation; Amy Whitehead, 179th Airlift Wing; Juanita Shenberger, Richland Newhope, Tim VanCura, Total Performance, Inc.; Valeria Ashcraft, Ohio Dreams; and Chelsie Thompson, Renaissance Performing Arts.
And there was time for commraderie. Richland Newhope host Jimmy H. (left) shows Brad Downs (ights) from MHS Industrial how to be cool.
In 2014, Richland Newhope (Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities) supported more than 1,800 individuals through early intervention, preschool, adult, residential, therapy, transportation and other family support programs.
