Consumer Advisory Council

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) requires that all federally funded University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) establish a Consumer Advisory Council (CAC):

i. of which a majority of the members shall be individuals with developmental disabilities and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities;

ii. that is comprised of:

a. individuals with developmental disabilities and related disabilities;
b. family members of individuals with developmental disabilities;
c. a representative of the State protection and advocacy system;
d. a representative of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities
e. a representative of a self-advocacy organization; and
f. representatives of organizations that may include parent training and information centers, relevant State agencies, and other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

iii. that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the State; and
iv. that shall:

a. consult with the Director of the Nisonger Center regarding the development of the 5-year plan;
b. participate in an annual review of, and comment on, the progress of the Center in meeting the projected goals contained in the 5-year plan;
c. make recommendations to the Director of the Center regarding any proposed revisions of the 5-year plan that might be necessary;
d. develop an overall understanding of the Nisonger Center and its work;
e. meet as often as necessary to carry out the role of the committee, but at a minimum twice during each grant year.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is a federally funded University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).  The Nisonger Center – UCEDD CAC membership is guided by requirements contained in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (PL 106-402) and the Office on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

A majority of the members of the Nisonger Center CAC are individuals with developmental disabilities or family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.  The Nisonger Center CAC endeavors to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state of Ohio.

The Nisonger Center CAC consists of 16 members

[1] and includes:

  • individuals with developmental disabilities and related disabilities,
  • family members of individuals with developmental disabilities,
  • a representative of the Ohio Protection and Advocacy system (i.e., Disability Rights Ohio),
  • a representative of the Ohio Council on Developmental Disabilities,
  • a representative from Cincinnati UCEDD, and
  • representatives of County/State agencies and other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Membership Roles and Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with other CAC members and Nisonger Center staff to identify resources and linkages that may enhance Nisonger Center goals and activities.
  • Collaborate with other CAC members and Nisonger Center staff to identify unmet needs and interests of people with disabilities as they relate to the mission, goals, and activities of the Nisonger Center.
  • Participate in an annual review of Nisonger Center activities and progress in meeting the goals of the Nisonger Center.
  • Provide input on the development of the Nisonger Center’s five-year plan.
  • Attend meetings of the CAC.

Membership Term

Membership shall be for a three-year term. Members may serve two consecutive A third term is possible if the Chairperson agrees to grant an extension.

Meetings of the CAC

The CAC will meet as often as necessary to conduct its business but no less than two face-to-face meetings during each grant year. Once a year a portion of the meeting will be an annual business meeting where terms are reviewed, new members are welcomed, and outgoing members are recognized. The annual meeting will also be the official review of the Nisonger Center’s five-year strategic plan.

What the Nisonger Center Provides

The Nisonger Center will reimburse CAC members for expenses to attend the meetings. Some of those expenses may include: mileage, parking fees, personal care attendants, etc. The expenses have to be in accordance with Nisonger Center grant guidelines and the rules and regulations of The Ohio State University.

Nisonger Center CAC Meetings

  • The Nisonger Center CAC meetings are scheduled to accommodate the schedule/availability of the CAC members. Generally, Nisonger Center CAC meetings are held on a weekday between 9:00am – 5:00pm.
  • The Nisonger Center CAC meetings are held quarterly (i.e., 4 times a year) for approximately 90 minutes. All quarterly CAC meetings are face-to-face and scheduled at Nisonger Center, situated in The Ohio State University McCampbell Hall building at 1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus (OH).

For more information about Nisonger Center or the CAC, please contact:


Darlene Byler
Assistant to the Director
The Ohio State University
Nisonger Center – UCEDD

Telephone: (614) 685-3222
Email:  Darlene.Byler@osumc.edu.

https://nisonger.osu.edu/about-us/consumer-advisory-council/

NISONGER CENTER – CAC Summary and Recruitment Document 1-2-2020

[1]   The Nisonger Center CAC consists of a total of 16 members, of which at least nine members (56%) are adults with lived experience with developmental disabilities and family members of a person with a developmental disability.