STATEHOUSE NEWS

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(COLUMBUS, OH) — The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) canceled the meeting scheduled for October 19, 2023 at the Ohio Statehouse. When the board meeting is rescheduled, the new time and date will be announced by press release and on the website, https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/csrab/board-meetings.

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In response to the unprovoked attack and invasion of Israel, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio.

The order will be in effect from sunrise October 10, 2023 until sunset on October 12, 2023.

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(Columbus, OH)—The Ohio Statehouse will celebrate National Fossil Day, October 11, 2023 by offering a FREE fossil tour on Capitol Square. The special tour will take place Wednesday, Oct. 11 from noon until 1:30 p.m. Expert geologists will explore the limestone walls, stairs and columns that support the Ohio Statehouse. Visitors will discover fossils of ancient sea creatures.

The tour will start in the Worthington Center, located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse. The tour will be conducted by Dale M. Gnidovec, Curator of the OSU Orton Geological Museum and Mark Peter, Paleontologist at ODNR Division of Geological Survey. While the event is free, participants are asked to RSVP to Katie Montgomery by Tuesday, Oct. 10 at kmontgomery@ohiostatehouse.org or 614-728-3726.

Each visitor will receive a free copy of the booklet, Statehouse Fossils: A Guide to Fossils of the Ohio Capitol, by Mark E. Peter. An informative poster of Fossils of the Columbus Limestone is for sale at the Statehouse Museum Shop.

National Fossil Day is an annual celebration of geology. It occurs during Earth Science Week every year. These celebrations encourage young people to explore careers in earth science, and engage everyone in the importance of our resources and environment.

This tour is one of many activities during Earth Science Week in Ohio. The website for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources lists more fun activities and events for families and friends. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/geologic-survey/educational-resources/earth-science-week-ohio.

Photos are available on the Ohio Statehouse website. http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/geology-fossil-tour

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In accordance with the orders issued by the President of the United States of America and Ohio Governor DeWine, in honoring the life and service of Senator Dianne Feinstein, all U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state.
The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

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Please be informed that a Civil War-era cannon will be fired from the West Plaza of the Ohio Statehouse Tuesday, September 26, 2023. This will be done as part of the vintage base ball game. The event is free and open to the public. The Paddy Wagon food truck will be at the corner of High Street and State Street at 5:30 p.m.

Civil War cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled to take place in the evening between 5:25 and 8 p.m. The Statehouse cannon may fire a maximum of three times during the event.

As these sounds can be startling, we wish to give advance notice to everyone working on and near Capitol Square. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Rupert at 614-728-4185.

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Columbus, OH– On Tuesday, September 26, the Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds will face off against the Capitol Cannons, state senators and representatives, in an old-fashioned game of “base ball.” The match will go from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Statehouse’s West Lawn, and it is free and open to the public.

Before and after the two teams square off to win the Richard Schuricht Memorial Cup, the Statehouse’s 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A will provide cannon firing demonstrations. History displays and concessions will also be available to the public.

This exhibition game includes rules and regulations from the 1860s that Abe Lincoln himself witnessed, so some of them might appear unusual. There are a few major differences between “base ball” and baseball that the audience should be aware of:

· The ball is pitched underhand from anywhere behind the pitcher’s line.
· If a ball is hit and caught on a bounce, it is an out.
· Base runners may not steal nor slide foot-first.

Come watch the seven-inning affair, enjoy an outdoor meal and witness cannon firings all in one night. Food and beverages will be available from the Paddy Wagon food truck and Milo’s catering.

To view photos of the 2021 “base ball” match, visit Vintage Base Ball 2021.

About the Ohio Village Muffins and Vintage “Base Ball”

Formed in 1981, the Ohio Village Muffins were the first vintage “base ball” team in the United States to play a set schedule of games. They also hosted the initial meeting of the Vintage Base Ball Association (VBBA). The uniforms are standard to the 1860s: plain pants, a white shirt with a bright shield containing the team emblem, a vintage cap, a leather belt and a red tie. Recreational activities for men and women, especially “base ball,” were becoming more ingrained in American society during the middle of the 19th century, so the Muffins represent a changing America. They highlight a game that would transcend all others and become America’s favorite pastime.

Support for this public event is provided by the Ohio Lobbying Association, the Ohio Village Muffins and Lady Diamonds, and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery A.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is proud to announce the addition of a height-adjustable universal changing table at the Ohio Statehouse to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities and those with complex medical conditions through collaborations with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization advocating for accessible restrooms for all.

“People with disabilities who have mobility challenges need access to public venues just like any other group, yet the typical accessible restroom stall does not provide the equipment or the space necessary to meet their needs,” said CSRAB Executive Director Laura Battocletti. “The addition of a universal changing table is an improvement to accessibility that underscores that the Ohio Statehouse truly is ‘the People’s House.’”

Universal changing tables are similar to infant changing tables found in restrooms at restaurants and shopping and entertainment venues, but are designed to accommodate the height and weight of adults. Without these tables, children and adults with disabilities cannot access public venues or must be changed on the ground or in unsafe environments.

The Statehouse’s mobile universal changing table is conveniently located in what is known as the Mother’s Room, a private room off the Map Room on the ground floor. It can accommodate people up to 400 pounds.

The Ohio Statehouse changing table project came about when LMK Advocacy reached out to Changing Spaces Ohio for assistance to create a universal changing station at the Statehouse for the Ohio Association of County Boards’ Developmental Disabilities Advocacy and Awareness Day in March. The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services purchased two mobile universal changing tables and provided them to the Statehouse so adults with disabilities could meet with their elected officials as part of this special event. LMK Advocacy worked with representatives of the Montgomery County Board to find a place for the table, allowing people with disabilities who lived hours away to travel to the Statehouse and take part. Afterwards, the Montgomery County Board and Changing Spaces Ohio worked with Battocletti to identify a universal changing table for permanent installation and provided expertise to ensure that the installation met the specifications of the International Building Code.

“The addition of these tables provides a safe, hygienic, and dignified space for people to address their restroom needs, and we are proud to partner with Director Battocletti and the Ohio Statehouse to make this much-needed accommodation a reality,” said Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent Dr. Pamela Combs.

Since construction of the Ohio Statehouse began in 1839, the State continues to make improvements to enhance accessibility, including the installation of wheelchair charging stations and the provision of assistive listening devices for people with hearing loss. A complete list of accessibility accommodations is available on the Statehouse website.

About the Ohio Statehouse:

The Ohio Statehouse is a working office building that serves as the home of the Ohio Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives, and the offices of the Governor. Opened to legislators and the public in 1857, it is the eighth-oldest working capitol in the nation and has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Ohio Statehouse while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in and visit Capitol Square.

About the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services:

The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services (MCBDDS) is one of 88 county boards in the State of Ohio that advocate for people with developmental disabilities. It provides services, supports and funding to more than 5,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Montgomery County, Ohio, and has led the effort to place universal changing tables in public spaces statewide.

About Changing Spaces:

The Changing Spaces Campaign is a nationwide advocacy movement formed to spread awareness of the need for height-adjustable adult-size changing tables for children and adults in public places. The Ohio Chapter of the organization has made great progress toward the installation of such tables, partnering with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities and collaborating with other organizations to help them select and install tables and lifts throughout Ohio. Changing Spaces Ohio and its nonprofit, Inspired Access Foundation, created a map showing the location of universal changing tables throughout the country.
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Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board media contact:
Mike Rupert
mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org; 614-728-4185

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services media contact:
Janice Saddler Rice
jrice@mcbdds.org; 937-776-0866

Changing Spaces Campaign Ohio media contact:
Jennifer Corcoran
changingspacesoh@gmail.com; 937-307-3509

Photos will be added to the website on Monday and Tuesday this week. https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/accessibility-at-the-ohio-statehouse

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Media Alert/Interview Availability

What: The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will unveil the addition of a height-adjustable universal changing table at the Ohio Statehouse to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities, people with mobility challenges, and those with complex medical conditions.

When: Monday, September 18 at 11 a.m.

Where: The Map Room on the Ground Floor of the Ohio Statehouse,
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215

Why: To ensure that people with disabilities have a clean, hygienic and safe space to address their restroom needs.

To provide people with disabilities and those who have mobility challenges with access the “the People’s House” and their elected officials.

To ensure inclusion for all citizens, elected officials and visitors.

What are universal changing tables? Universal changing tables are similar to infant changing tables
found in restrooms at restaurants and shopping and
entertainment venues, but are designed to accommodate the
height and weight of adults. They can also be used for infants
and children.

Who: This project was a collaboration between CSRAB, the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization advocating for accessible restrooms for all.

Interviews: We invite you to join Ohio Statehouse Director Laura Battocletti, Montgomery County
Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent Pamela Combs, and
Changing Spaces Ohio co-lead Jennifer Corcoran for interviews at 11 a.m.

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Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board media contact:
Mike Rupert; mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org; 614-728-4185

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services media contact:
Janice Saddler Rice; jrice@mcbdds.org; 937-776-0866

Changing Spaces Campaign Ohio media contact:
Jennifer Corcoran; changingspacesoh@gmail.com; 937-307-3509 Older Posts Newer Posts