The Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, along with six additional county boards of developmental disabilities, hosted a conference on self-advocacy on Friday, Sept. 22, at the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Troy. More than 150 people attended the conference which had the theme, “My Story, a Journey into Self-Advocacy.”
TROY — The Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, along with six additional county boards of developmental disabilities, hosted a conference on self-advocacy on Friday, Sept. 22, at the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Troy.
“My Story, a Journey into Self-Advocacy” was the theme of the conference designed to encourage people with developmental disabilities and increase their knowledge of ways to advocate for themselves. More than 150 people attended this year’s conference, which featured keynote speaker Jenni Lough Watson from Greatdogs, who shared her story of overcoming challenges with the help of specially trained dogs. Participants also learned how she trains dogs to help others.
There was also an interactive and entertaining session with teacher Liz Maxson and students from Fairlawn Local Schools.
Throughout the conference, participants learned about accomplishments of other people with disabilities and discovered ways to strive for their own goals and make their communities a better place to live, work and play together.
Preble DD hosted the conference in collaboration with Auglaize, Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami and Shelby County Boards of Developmental Disabilities. This is the eighth year the regional group has hosted the conference.
The Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves more than 600 people of all ages in Preble County. Preble DD’s mission is to support individuals with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work and socialize as they choose. The organization’s vision is to provide the best possible opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to have the kind and quality of life he or she chooses.
Preble DD coordinates and provides funding for services people need to live full lives. These services include in-home care, adult day services, job training and transportation. These services are funded in part through local levy dollars and are delivered through a network of local provider agencies and independent caregivers. Preble DD also directly provides case management, as well as Early Intervention Services for children ages 0-3 with developmental delays through in-home services to help families stimulate development in communication skills, motor development, early learning skills and social-emotional development.
Preble DD also provides learning opportunities, recreational activities, Special Olympics programs and other services. There are many opportunities to get involved. For more information about Preble DD, visit prebledd.org or call 937-456-5891.
