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Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) - protection and advocacy for people with disabilities
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OLRS 2008 Annual Report
2008 Year in Review; 2009 Challenges Ahead

The following is a message from OLRS Executive Director Michael Kirkman and Chair of the OLRS Commission Kalpana Yalamanchili.

We celebrate the successes achieved in 2008, with people with disabilities as our partners. OLRS representation resulted in children and adults with disabilities having needed supports to be successful learners, staying in their homes and neighborhoods, moving out of institutions and into community homes, keeping their jobs and obtaining health care coverage and exercising their right to vote. OLRS fought discrimination and protected people's rights to accessible buildings and meaningful accommodations. OLRS represented people in prisons and jails, and worked to stop the school to prison pipeline.

In 2008, OLRS increased its support for self-advocacy organizations to amplify their voices to better assure that people with disabilities drive the policies that affect them and the services they receive. OLRS strengthened partnerships with Legal Aid Societies and other legal organizations to protect civil rights. These alliances keep OLRS on course to fulfill its mission.

As for most Ohioans, 2009 will be an extremely challenging year for OLRS clients and for the agency. Between July and December of 2008, OLRS' state funding was cut more than 19%. State funding is the only source of support for the OLRS Ombudsperson Section whose primary responsibility is to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.

As always, OLRS will attend to its duty to efficiently manage federal and state funds, grants and gifts. With shrinking state funding for the agency, OLRS must remain vigilant to protect people from abuse and neglect, and assure that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in schools, neighborhoods and workplaces.

We welcome your financial support to strengthen Ohio's protection of the legal, civil and human rights of individuals with disabilities. OLRS Commissioners and staff are profoundly grateful for your generosity.