#AdvocacyMatters: In The Spotlight

May 17, 2024 / #AdvocacyMatters

On Saturday, May 4th, Risers Tavern on the Links in Columbiana had a packed house for the Funny Farm's latest show. What happened next was different than anything that stage had seen before: A fully representative night of irreverent, uncouth comedy raising awareness and funding for our organization.

This was the second such event, dubbed "Don't Call It Standup," and DRO Board Member Matt O'Nesti was the force that brought it all together.

"I've been doing stand-up since I was 15 years old, performing, writing and doing shows," he told the Morning Journal. "I've been a board member with Disability Rights Ohio for three years now. This is a great way to bring those two worlds together and a way to use comedy for good for once."

The night featured hilarious comedy and new points of view, and ended with a better understanding of who we are and what we do. At the end of the night, nearly $5,000 had been raised to help us grow our work and expand our advocacy.

"What we do is advocate and help others advocate for themselves," O'Nesti said. "We are here to serve and make sure the members of the disabled community have accessibility, inclusivity and the things they not only need but are entitled to. We are present in all 88 counties in Ohio."

We're always looking to grow our work and expand our reach, even in unusual ways. From information and listening sessions with targeted populations in Cleveland and Toledo to a job fair and duck races along the mighty Muskingum River, we'll keep working to broaden our network and expand the types of work we're able to do. #AdvocacyMatters