Skip to content
Search
Close this search box.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin
DCBDD large color logo with blue lettering over transparent background
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Strategic Plan
    • History
    • The Board
      • Board Meetings
      • Board Officers and Appointments
    • Get Started
    • Employee Directory
    • Meetings & Events
      • Calendar
      • Lifetime of Giving Awards
    • Career Opportunities
  • Individuals & Families
    • Intake & Eligibility
    • Early Intervention
    • Support Administration
    • Finding A Provider
      • Provider Search
      • Submit Request for Provider
    • Report an MUI
  • Providers
    • Provider Resources
    • Requests for Providers Listing
    • Background Checks
    • Report an MUI
  • Resources
    • Tools & Resources
    • MUI/UI Information
    • Grants
      • Accessibility and Inclusion Grant
      • Advocacy Grant
    • Access Delaware
    • Waiver & Medicaid
    • Waiting List
    • Complaint Process
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Accessibility Statement
  • News
    • News & Publications
    • Perspectives Newsletters
    • Annual Report
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Speaker/Training Request
Menu
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • Strategic Plan
    • History
    • The Board
      • Board Meetings
      • Board Officers and Appointments
    • Get Started
    • Employee Directory
    • Meetings & Events
      • Calendar
      • Lifetime of Giving Awards
    • Career Opportunities
  • Individuals & Families
    • Intake & Eligibility
    • Early Intervention
    • Support Administration
    • Finding A Provider
      • Provider Search
      • Submit Request for Provider
    • Report an MUI
  • Providers
    • Provider Resources
    • Requests for Providers Listing
    • Background Checks
    • Report an MUI
  • Resources
    • Tools & Resources
    • MUI/UI Information
    • Grants
      • Accessibility and Inclusion Grant
      • Advocacy Grant
    • Access Delaware
    • Waiver & Medicaid
    • Waiting List
    • Complaint Process
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Accessibility Statement
  • News
    • News & Publications
    • Perspectives Newsletters
    • Annual Report
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Speaker/Training Request
WHAT'S INSIDE?
  • Technology Helps Foster Connection and Independence
  • DCBDD Updates
  • Technology Resource Feature
  • Community Events & Resources
Back to archive page
Jimmy Jones sits with his iPhone at LifeBuilders. Photo by Kelly Jacoby.

Technology Helps Foster Connection and Independence

Words by Olivia Minnier, Photos by Kelly Jacoby

After getting his first iPhone last year, a Polaris area man has seen a boost of confidence and is thriving while living independently.

Jimmy Jones, 52, has been able to become more independent through the adoption of technology. Since he communicates verbally and has a very soft-spoken demeanor, the addition of technology has helped Jimmy connect with others more in his day-to-day life.

Through the addition of texting and calling on his new iPhone, he can communicate more often with the staff at LifeBuilders where he attends a day program five times a week.

“It has been so great for him to be able to do this. This has also opened his ability to communicate with other members more than just at Life Builders. Since Jimmy can be quiet or shy at times, this has opened methods for him to have more opportunities to talk with others. It is great to see him learning and being able to chat,” said Deedra Olney, Director of LifeBuilders.

Outside of his day-to-day interactions with the staff and other peers at LifeBuilders, he has been able to communicate more with his family and keep them up to date on what is happening in his life.

“Jimmy has always been independent, however, the technology allows him to access information quickly, easily, and consistently communicate with his family. He is happier now that he can use his phone to call us anytime, he wants, (use) the computer to view his favorite subjects, and his portable cd player to listen to music,” said his sister, Paulette Horn.

Horn said that the additional technology has brought Jimmy joy outside of the ease of communication with others. He can keep up with his New York sports teams, read articles online, and is learning to use Google to research topics.

Now that he has learned how to use the iPhone, Jimmy will soon be getting an Amazon Echo and is looking forward to using voice commands to easily access movies, recipes, sports, and other types of media he enjoys.

The Echo will also allow him to utilize his verbal communication skills.

For Jimmy, the addition of technology into his life has not only given him new routes of communicating with others; but has provided an extra layer of confidence and security living alone, and has allowed his personality to shine even more.

As Horn said, “Jimmy is a happy person the technology just enhances it.”

DCBDD Updates

DCBDD Board Meeting: May 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming Closures: Memorial Day May 29

Summer Resources for Families

For summer family & community resources, please visit this link

Medicaid Unwinding

To learn more about the changes in Medicaid benefits, please look at the attached flyers.

Previous
Next

Voter Registration Changes

Ohio has changed the requirements for voting. For additional information, please see the attached flyers.

Previous
Next

Technology Resource Feature

Ohio's Tech Ambassadors

Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors are a resource on how Supportive Technology can be used at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Tech Ambassadors share their personal experiences through peer-to-peer mentoring sessions, either in person or virtually.

Request a meeting with one of Ohio’s Tech Ambassadors here: https://ohiotechambassadors.org/request

Assistive Technology Library

Interested in trying assistive technology to see if it meets your needs? Borrow a device from the DCBDD Assistive Technology Lending Library! Our current inventory includes:

  • Echo Show
  • Echo Dot
  • Ring Video Doorbell
  • Smart Plug
  • Wyze Camera
  • Electronic Reading Aid
  • Miku Monitor
  • Schlage Electronic Deadbolt
  • Clip Different


To borrow a device, review the following documents and submit the request to AssistiveTechnology@dcbdd.org.

  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Procedure
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Application
  • Assistive Technology Lending Library Agreement

Community Events & Resources

Changing Table Map

Changing Spaces Ohio created an interactive map of all adult changing tables across the country! Use the following link to access it http://www.universalchangingtablemap.com/ 

Community Conversations with DCBDD

May 5 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Liberty Township Park
RSVP here

Courtney's Corner

May 17 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Orange Branch Delaware County District Library

RSVP here

Ohio Regional Youth Leadership Forums

June 5-9
Westerville Community Center
For 11th and 12th grader high school students with disabilities.

For more information contact: Zoe Wenk, The Center for Disability Empowerment

zwenk@disabilityempowerment.net | 614-575-8055

DCBDD Annual Block Party

August 31 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Liberty Township Park

More information here.

Parent Pages Newsletter

 

To read the parent pages newsletter, click the image!

Previous
Next

Health Linkage Program

Adults with disabilities sometimes have worse mental health, physical health, and chronic condition outcomes compared to adults without disabilities.
 

The Health Linkage Program can help with:

  • healthcare providers not understanding disabilities
  • being denied appointments
  • physical inaccessibility of buildings and places
    inaccessibility of equipment like exam tables
  • inadequate insurance coverage
  • lack of transportation

The Health Linkage Program helps make these problems go away so you can just focus on your health!

To connect with the program, call 614.685.9323 or email linkages@osumc.edu

Head Office

  • 7991 Columbus Pike
    Lewis Center, OH 43035 

  • 740.201.3600 (local)
  • Contact Us

Resources

  • About Us
  • Individuals & Families
  • Providers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Accessibility Statement
  • DODD Intermediate Care Facilities Search
  • DODD Residential Options Counseling Pamphlet
  • About Us
  • Individuals & Families
  • Providers
  • Tools & Resources
  • Accessibility Statement
  • DODD Intermediate Care Facilities Search
  • DODD Residential Options Counseling Pamphlet

Quick Links

  • 740.201.3600
    Major Unusual Incidents
  • MUI@dcbdd.org
  • Perspectives Newsletter
  • Provider Connections Newsletter
  • Employee Email Log-in

Search

Search
DCBDD large color logo with blue lettering over transparent background

DCBDD Ⓒ 2020 - All Rights Are Reserved

Website Designed by 40° Degrees Media, Ltd.