Jocelyn Gilardi, a resident of Knox County, was announced as the latest Community Ambassador for the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC) on June 8. The ODDC Community Ambassador Program provides Ohioans with developmental disabilities a statewide platform to lead conversations about barriers and successes in their local communities.
Gilardi's work as an ambassador focused on how assistive technology can improve independent living and community inclusion for people with disabilities. Her efforts combined personal stories, interviews, and community outreach to showcase how different technologies can empower people with developmental disabilities to build independence and access opportunities in their communities.
Drawing from her own experiences, Gilardi reflected on how technology has made her life easier from a young age. She discussed the range of tools she has used, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and smart home technology, and how they have removed barriers and helped her stay connected to school, work, and community life. "Starting my technology journey so young and having it in multiple different ways has helped me progress through life by working with it, and not against it," said Gilardi.
She also shared the process of renovating her home into a "tech home," where technology and adaptations are integrated throughout the space to support her daily routines. Today, she opens her home to people with disabilities, support professionals, and community leaders by offering tours that demonstrate how technology can promote accessibility and support greater choice and control in daily life.
Additional perspectives from community members and professionals helped Gilardi show more ways technology can support people with disabilities with greater choice, confidence, dignity, and safety. She conducted interviews and site visits to report on how technology is being used in homes and public spaces to improve accessibility. "Everyone deserves equal access to assistive technology, whether they need it to hear and see as I do, or just simply being able to open a can without asking for help," she added.
The Ohio DD Council Community Ambassador Program highlights the lived experiences of people with developmental disabilities by empowering them to share their perspectives on barriers and successes within their communities.
