Behavior Support Staff at the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently announced how Ohio’s new statewide disability registry, known as Keith’s Law, will work in conjunction with the existing Columbiana County disability registry, which was unveiled in 2023. Pictured left to right are Behavior Intervention Specialist/SSA Erin Anthony, Superintendent William Devon and Behavior Support/SSA Supervisor Holly Adams. (Submitted photo)

LISBON –On Oct. 25 Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 144 into law on Oct. 25. 

Known as Keith’s Law, the bill broadens the scope of Ohio’s Communications Disability Law by expanding the statewide disability registry beyond communication disabilities. The law now encompasses a wider range of learning, speech, hearing, vision and other impairments that make communication difficult for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) unveiled a local Disability Registry System in October. 2023 that is available to individuals served under its umbrella. Since that time, approximately 140 people have voluntarily registered on the county’s 911 system.

CCBDD Superintendent William Devon said disability registries, whether they are local or on a state level, inform first responders about a disability that impairs how that person interacts with others and provide first responders a way to eliminate misunderstandings that may escalate a situation. A person with a developmental disability may be unable to communicate or may react in another way when they are in a stressful situation or crisis. If first responders understand a person’s behaviors ahead of time, they can respond appropriately. This may include something as simple as turning off lights and sirens if they know the individual is frightened by them. 

“The state and local systems can work hand-in-hand to ensure that a 911 database registry is available to anyone who wishes to sign up,” he said. “When law enforcement, firefighters, EMS staff and other first responders have an understanding of how an individual communicates, it enables them to better provide needed services.”

According to CCBDD Behavior Intervention Specialist/SSA Erin Anthony, Keith’s Law enhances the local program. “With the inception of Keith’s Law, it’s a good time to remind everyone that we also have a local registry in Columbiana County,” Anthony said. “In conjunction with our registry, Keith’s Law expands our horizons while still allowing us to provide a more personal registry system in our own community. Anthony explained that having a state-wide registry could be helpful in situations where an individual is outside of their home county and experiences an emergency by giving first responders vital information about the person’s needs so that they can respond appropriately. Additionally, people who move from Columbiana County to a place without a local registry can register for the statewide system to receive the service in their new county. 

Holly Adams, CCBDD Behavior Support/SSA Supervisor, said Columbiana County will continue to maintain and build its local registry. She explained that the local service providers work with individuals with developmental disabilities every day and they know them. 

“We are here helping them every day. We are familiar with them, understand their behaviors and care about their wellbeing. Because we have a relationship with them and know how they communicate, we are in the best position to help them in a crisis,” Adams added.

Anthony said signing up for a Disability Register is not an either/or situation. Individuals can choose to sign up for the state registry, the local registry, or both. Registration is voluntary and staff at the County Board of Developmental Disabilities can assist with either registration. For more information about how to register, people can contact the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities Behavior Support Department at 330-424-0404.