In The News
Beyond the Canvas Art Exhibit Showcases
Talent of People with Disabilities
St. Clairsville - The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Creating Hope Arts are pleased to present Beyond the Canvas: The Power of Unbound Expression, an exhibit of art created by people with disabilities.
More than 60 unique pieces will transform the walls at the Belmont County Board’s office at 68421 Hammond Road, St. Clairsville. Visitors can walk through the gallery during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning March 26 through the end of April.
Pamela McCort, Director of Communications for the County Board, and Jennifer Diehl of Creating Hope Arts have curated Beyond the Canvas.
Stephon creates abstract paintings using acrylics on canvas, skillfully applying paint with a credit card to build rich textures and emerging patterns.
“This exhibit is about giving artists a public space where they can be seen and recognized for their talent,” McCort said. “It also invites the community to rethink what they believe and see that people with disabilities have a deep capacity for creative expression.”
Diehl collaborates with people of differing abilities every day and understands the potential that lies within each one.
“All people really need is the opportunity to express themselves,” she said. “Each piece reveals a voice that is powerful and unmistakably individual.”
An opening reception will unveil the exhibit and introduce the artists to the public on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 304-218-5398.
The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities coordinates and funds services for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome.
Creating Hope Arts is an Adult Day Service provider in Bethesda that supports and inspires artists with disabilities. Its array of creative opportunities allows unique talents to flourish, cultivating pride, confidence, and independence as an artist.
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Celebrating the vital role of parents in Early Intervention
The first few years of a child’s life - especially from birth to age three - are full of big changes and important milestones. That’s where Early Intervention (EI) services through the County Board of Developmental Disabilities come in, offering support to help kids grow and thrive. While therapists and professionals play an important role, it’s really the love and dedication of parents that make the biggest difference. For April and Alan Boan, their commitment to their child’s development has led to amazing progress and their journey has inspired everyone on the EI team.
The couple welcomed their son, Maverick, into the world at 34 weeks, a premature birth that saw him placed in the NICU for a week. At four months old, Maverick was diagnosed with infantile nystagmus, a condition that impacts a child’s vision. April and Alan closely monitored Maverick’s development and when they noticed possible delays, like Maverick not bringing his hands together to clap, they discussed their concerns with their pediatrician, Dr. Morris, who referred the family to EI for a developmental evaluation.
EI implements an evidence-based approach that recognizes the child’s home as the best learning environment and parents as the best teachers. The EI referral brought specialized instruction, a vision specialist, and a speech therapist into Maverick’s home. A full developmental evaluation indicated a delay in cognitive and expressive communication.
April expressed how difficult it can be as a first-time parent to navigate so much information and how hard it can be to not compare every little thing Maverick was doing to other children. She understood that because he was born early there would be a gap but when he wasn’t meeting milestones, it still brought panic and worry. She recognized that he wasn’t talking or always understanding simple commands.
According to the County Board’s speech and language pathologist Meghan Johns, it is evident that April and Alan are providing consistent follow-through with Maverick.
“They are the perfect EI family to work with,” Meghan said. “April jumped right in and immediately tried strategies we shared.”
They understood that the work can’t just happen during the EI sessions but that it needed to be part of their everyday routines. This dedication has paid off as a quiet Maverick begins to open up and engage with those around him. He has many new words and is now putting them together.
Alan said he appreciates having access to Jan, the team’s vision specialist, both in their home and via video chat.
“She can see so much more about the natural way Maverick is at home versus how he may be when we go to Morgantown to see his doctor,” Alan said.
As April reflected on their journey, she noted the impact social media had on the couple.
“In today’s world you are surrounded by social media and so much information, it can feel like too much information, but to know early intervention is available to help, eases your mind,” April said. “They identified what he was excelling at and where he needed help.”
Parents are often the first to notice when something feels a little off and are the first and strongest advocate for their child. Their everyday insights help shape the right kind of professional interventions, and their feedback ensures that services are responsible and relevant.
Research consistently shows that when parents are actively engaged, children experience better outcomes. As Maverick grows, his parents continue to implement the EI strategies during playtime, mealtime, and bedtime.
While many parents in EI deserve admiration, there are some who go the extra mile at every visit and implement strategies consistently. April and Alan are two of those parents – always present, always engaged, and wholeheartedly committed to their child’s progress. They are the best example of what makes Early Intervention successful, and Maverick’s EI team is incredibly grateful to work alongside them.
Early Intervention is a statewide system of support for families of children with developmental delays and disabilities aged birth to three, and is funded by the County Board of Developmental Disabilities. If you or someone you know has a child who may need Early Intervention, referrals can be made at www.ohioearlyintervention.org.
Belmont DD Board Unveils New Inclusive Playground
ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A partnership in Belmont County has resulted in the creation of a new inclusive playground for children of all abilities.
The new play area, located at the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities at 68421 Hammond Road in St. Clairsville, was made possible through a collaboration between the County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Alternative Residences Two Board, and the Belmont County Community Action Commission, with additional funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The new playground is one part of the County Board’s commitment to universal design that ensures accessibility for all people.
“Because of our partners, there is now a place where every child, regardless of ability, can come together to play, laugh, and grow,” said Gloria Llewellyn, CEO/Superintendent of the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The new playground features a communication board for children who do not use words to talk, as well as features that allow children with physical disabilities to play alongside their peers.
The playground was designed, and equipment provided, by GameTime.
“This is more than just a playground - it’s a place of connection, inclusion, and joy,” Llewellyn added.
This accessible playground is the latest addition to the resources offered at the DD Board. Each week it serves dozens of children and families enrolled in Early Intervention, the public schools, and agencies that also serve people with differing abilities.
Partners and other special guests came together to unveil the new inclusive playground at the ribbon cutting on May 13, 2025. From left: BCBDD Board member Joel Braido; Commissioner Jerry Echemann; GameTime Project Manager Taylor Kolanko; AR Two Board members Deedra Balgo, Ray Anderson, and Lynn Donda; CAC Head Start Director Fran Steed; DD Board Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn; Commissioner JP Dutton; and Gwen Simeral, CAC Community Engagement Manager.
Head Start kiddoes helped Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn officially open the new inclusive playground at the Belmont County Board of DD on May 13, 2025. Children of all abilities can now swing, slide, and soar together!
Books on Acceptance Donated to Local Libraries
A collection of children’s books encouraging acceptance of people with differing abilities have been donated to every school and community library by the Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Titles include Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor; All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel; and You are Enough, by Margaret O’Hair. Another book, I Am Not a Label, introduces young readers to 34 artists, athletes, and activists living with disabilities.
The goal of this donation is to help children understand disability, practice kindness, and learn how to interact respectfully with people who are different from them.
“Young children are naturally eager to learn and more open to accepting classmates with developmental differences when they understand what those differences are,” said Superintendent Gloria Llewellyn. “These books do that while also highlighting the many ways we are alike, too.”
Barnesville Library book donation made by Tommie Lindell to Director Brandi Little.
Martins Ferry donation made by Erin Schramm to Children’s Librarian Anessa Keifer and Director Anthony Orsini.
St. Clairsville Library book donation made by Ann Swisk to Public Services Coordinator Emily Kessler.