WCBDD Awarded DODD Innovative Technology Grant

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities will expand its SMART Technology Studio with the help of a $50,000 Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Innovative Technology Grant.

Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Megan Manuel said, “We are very thankful to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities for awarding us this grant, and we are excited about the additional opportunities it will provide to the people we serve to live more independent lives.”

The agency was first awarded the grant in 2024 to create the SMART Technology Studio, a space resembling a studio apartment designed to introduce individuals to different types of assistive technology that could help them live independently. The 2026-2027 grant will expand this project in 5 ways:

1. Expansion of the SMART Technology Studio with new assistive technologies.

The SMART Technology Studio was created with the help of the 2024 DODD Innovative Technology Grant. The majority of the 2026/ 2027 grant will go toward expanding the studio.

Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities Remote Supports and Assistive Technology Coordinator Susan Meyer said expanding the SMART Technology Studio will help to make Warren County stand out.

“The SMART Studio is focused mainly on independent living skills and currently lacks some of the technology needed to support successful employment,” Meyer said. “We want to enhance the technology that we have available to showcase in the studio.”

Planned additions include communication devices, sensory regulation equipment, adaptable kitchen devices, medication reminder devices, visual support software, and more.

In 2026, Meyer will assess what technology is most needed in the SMART Technology Studio. In 2027, the agency will purchase more of the most-requested devices. Purchases will be made throughout 2026 and 2027.

Meyer said the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities aims for a 25% increase of assistive technology and remote supports authorizations this year.

2. Development of lending library kits with community partners

The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities will also use the DODD Innovative Technology Grant to deliver training and education to community partners on different types of assistive technology.

Meyer is working with three primary community partners: the Lebanon Public Library, the Warren County Educational Service Center, and the Achievement Center. These community partners were selected to support the broader community, school-aged students, and individuals pursuing employment, respectively.

SSA Manager Kellie Hampton said the agency has previously collaborated with the Warren County Educational Service Center on field trips and tours of the SMART Technology Studio, technology exploration activities, and device trials to expand exposure and use of assistive technology with students and families.

Meyer has connected with the community partners to identify needs. All curated technology kits will be available to the community partners by June. The partners will receive training on how to use the technology and how to identify when someone could benefit from a piece of technology.

Support and training will be ongoing while the partners have the curated technology kits. Meyer said the grant will also provide additional technology as needed. These initial community partners will collect data and feedback of the technology within the curated kits.

In 2027, with the collected data and feedback from the three community partners, the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities will build curated technology kits and establish them in the agency’s lending library, therefore, any community partner, provider, or individual served can trial the specific curated technology kit to enhance their experience in the community.

3. Enhance the SMART Technology Studio’s lending library.

Meyer has collected data since the creation of the SMART Studio and decided to enhance the current lending library with technology or equipment that is loaned out the most.

The data collected from the curated technology kits will be used to create an agency lending library with curated technology kits, such as an employment technology kit, a community technology kit, and a school technology kit.

Each technology kit will include a variety of technology aimed at assisting individuals served by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities in daily life.

SMART Studio Lending Library is currently available to providers and or individuals served, but the community curated technology kits will be available to trial in 2027. The SMART Technology Studio’s lending library will be available in 2027.

4. Create a paid internship opportunity for an individual served to assist with the SMART Technology Studio.

The DODD grant will provide funding for the agency to hire an individual served by the agency for a paid internship opportunity.

The internship, which will account for the second largest portion of the grant, will bring an individual served by the agency into the SMART Technology Studio for 6-8 hours per week for 2 years.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assemble, maintain, and deliver curated technology kits for schools, employers, and community partners,
• Support the SMART Technology Studio’s Lending Library by tracking inventory, preparing items for use, and orienting borrowers.
• Assist with trainings by providing hands-on support to staff, families, and individuals during technology demonstrations.
• Serve as a technology liaison by representing the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities at events and outreach activities.

The intern will be hired by March 2026. Interested applicants should submit a resume to HR@WarrenCountyDD.org.

5. Launch a supportive technology website that will include a 3D tour of the studio.

Finally, the grant will be used to launch a supportive technology website that will include information about the different types of technology available in the SMART Technology Studio.

The website will also include a 3D tour of the studio. The agency plans to launch the tour by September 2026.

“We’ve already had people from other counties reach out wanting to tour the SMART Studio,” Meyer said. “This is not only a resource for our county, but also an opportunity to support and collaborate with neighboring counties, as well.”

For more information, contact Megan Becker at megan.becker@warrencountydd.org or (859) 653-7445.

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