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Disability rights advocates call on Ohio lawmakers to allow virtual testimonies


Ohio lawmakers are set to meet Thursday meet to look into the state's protection and advocacy system, Disability Rights Ohio. (WSYX)
Ohio lawmakers are set to meet Thursday meet to look into the state's protection and advocacy system, Disability Rights Ohio. (WSYX)
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A Columbus woman with disabilities wants state lawmakers to allow virtual testimonies as they hold a hearing about Ohio's protection and advocacy system on Tuesday.

"I'm an artist, and I paint about disability rights issues, and I use art to communicate with the world," Alicia Hopkins said.

Hopkins wants to use her voice Tuesday afternoon at the Ohio Statehouse as lawmakers meet to look into the state's protection and advocacy system, Disability Rights Ohio. This hearing is happening due to a law established by House Bill 110 to ensure Disability Rights Ohio is serving its entire community, according to Rep. Scott Lipps. There is not an option for people to share their testimonies virtually.

"If they can't access the statehouse, or if they can't access, you know, written testimony, then they're not heard," Hopkins said. "Their voices go silenced."

Hopkins said it's not easy to get to the statehouse due to a lack of caregivers.

"When you don't have staffing, you barely can access your doctors' appointments," she said. "When you don't have staffing, you can barely access the grocery store. So you know, people aren't able to drive to Columbus."

Written testimonies were accepted, but Hopkins said they're difficult for some people to complete.

"For people that may have like dyslexia or other learning disabilities, it's even more challenging," she said.

According to Lipps, it's a long-standing House and Senate policy to not allow virtual testimony. He said he wants to talk about the option with lawmakers for the future.

"We would ask that this becomes a priority for the legislature to think about when they’re revising their rules," Disability Rights Ohio Executive Director Kerstin Sjoberg said. "We hear from lawmakers frequently that they want to hear from their constituents, so we see this as a win-win if there’s an opportunity for virtual testimony."

Hopkins said it's time for a change to the policy that permits virtual testimonies.

"It makes it so that the underrepresented populations, people, like you know, people with disabilities, caregivers, that their voice isn't at the table and heard about policy decision," Hopkins said.

Lipps said initially, Tuesday's hearing was not set to be streamed or recorded. He said he worked to change that, and now those who cannot attend the meeting in person can watch it online.

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