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 Membership Roles and Responsibilities 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 For more information about Nisonger Center or the CAC, please contact: Telephone: (614) 685-3222 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.
Darlene Byler
Assistant to the Director
The Ohio State University
Nisonger Center – UCEDD
Email: Darlene.Byler@osumc.edu.