Together
Each year the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities focuses on an awareness theme. Last year, the Board focused on their name change and the removal of the "MR" term with the "Erase the R Word" campaign. The theme for 2011 is "together."
Together, with the community, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports more than 2,000 people, helping them live full, satisfying lives. Each year the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities focuses on an awareness theme. This year’s theme is “Together: Together, we support possibilities. Together, we accomplish more. Together, the future is brighter.”
The Board provides Early Intervention Services to more than one thousand children from birth to age three. Families are given opportunities to learn and help their child grow and develop. If a child is given a bright start with support from an Early Intervention Services Team before they enter school, they have a better chance of achieving successes later in life. Early Intervention Services are funded by local tax dollars. Working together with local school districts, health agencies and doctors, families receiving services from the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities have a brighter future.
Currently the Board supports more than 150 people with disabilities employed in the community. They earn a pay check, pay local taxes and contribute to the overall success of Butler County. For example, Bob, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, has worked at the Fairfield LaRosa’s for almost 20 years. Bob's success is due in part to the continuing support of LaRosa’s and his coworkers. Working together with community businesses, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports people to accomplish more.
The Board has a team of volunteers who support people with disabilities so they can be active in the community. Volunteers take people on grocery trips, to sporting events or other recreational activities. Many times true friendships are formed. For example, students in Miami University’s Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity volunteer and have befriended a group of local adults. The students sponsor dinners, bowling parties, ice cream socials and ceramic classes, allowing people with disabilities to have fun and new make friends. Working together with community volunteers, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities supports possibilities by providing more opportunities.
Awareness Campaign Materials
The Board has created three audio-visual tools to for the Together awareness campaign.
Awareness Poster - this year's awareness poster highlights people together in the community: Click here to view the poster.
Awareness Video - a five minute video explaining the "Together" slogan was created. The video is being shared with community groups, civic organizations and local school districts. See it below:
Public Service Announcement - a 30-second public service announcement will run on local TV stations throughout the year. See it below:
For more information about the awareness campaign, or to schedule a speaker for your organization or class, contact Wendy Planicka, Public Relations Coordinator.
This year the Board also partnered with the Southwest Ohio Council of Governments (which includes the county boards of Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren) to produce advertising materials around the "Together" theme. The group ran advertisements in local theaters in March and also ran advertisements in local newspapers.
The theater advertisement is below:
The newspaper advertisements ran for four weeks. Images of the ads are below:
