Helping Children with Disabilities Lead A Better Life

Nicole Moehring, the Founder and Executive Director of Voices of Change 2018, is not only dedicated and passionate but possesses a never-give-up attitude. Too many people give up or don’t put in enough time to see their vision come to fruition. Nicole saw a need for change in a very vulnerable population and hasn’t stopped. She is determined to make a difference for children with disabilities and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect through awareness, education, and prevention. “Parents, caregivers, family members and friends of children with disabilities NEED to be the voices for the voiceless,” says Nicole. “The ONLY way to reduce the risk of abuse is to educate parents, the community, medical professionals, law enforcement, teachers, and mental health professionals.”

Nicole's inspiration to start Voices of Change 2018 (VOC18) was her children. The passion and drive behind starting the organization came after Maci and her brother Evan, who was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism, were both unfortunate victims of sexual abuse and assault. As a mother suffering through this unthinkable nightmare, Nicole witnessed the extreme differences in the justice system, how her daughter was believed and treated well, and how it was the opposite for her son. Nicole quickly began to realize how extremely difficult the road to justice is for an individual with a disability and was made to feel as if what happened to her son did not matter. As Nicole began to research resources to help her children and her family, she kept encountering roadblocks. Frustrated, she wanted to turn her pain into purpose and help other children and families.

Nicole is a first-time author of “Finding Myself – Overcoming Abuse, Heartbreak and Loss Then, Finding True Love.” She is currently co-writing her second book, “Finding Their Voice. Throughout her career, Nicole has been invited to be the honorary and keynote speaker for many organizations. She has served on numerous boards and committees, such as The Ohio Attorney General Committee for Crime Victims with Disabilities, as an Advisory Board Member for Natalie's Voice, and as a DS-Ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society, The Fragile X Alliance of Ohio, The Northeast Ohio Polycystic Kidney Association, Trials for Hope, and The Children’s Center of Medina County.

The pioneering leader is the quarterly columnist for Exceptional Needs Today Magazine. Her column is called “Safety Goals with Nicole.” In May 2021, Nicole received the Crucial Point Award. An annual award given to people and organizations that delve beyond the surface of sex crimes to focus on overlooked niches of survivorship—bringing these specific topics to mainstream platforms to increase public awareness and effectively drive social change.

In January 2022, Nicole was awarded Top Child Safety Advocate and Top Contributor for Exceptional Needs Today Magazine. In May 2022, Nicole was nominated and awarded The Leadership Medina Everyday Hero’s Award. In November 2022, Voices of Change 2022 Received “Top-Rated Nonprofit – Great Nonprofits.” In January 2023, Voices of Change 2018 Received the Ohio Business Success Awards Winner. In October 2023, Voices of Change 2018 Received “Best People with Disabilities (PWD) Safeguarding Support Organization 2023 – Ohio” ...in the Parent and Baby Awards 2023!

Nicole is currently working with state legislators to change current and pass new laws to enforce more robust policies and best practices for child abuse reporting, how cases are being processed, and secure funding for crime victims with disabilities. In addition, Nicole is working with state legislators to pass “Evan’s Law.”

Voices of Change 2018 (VOC18) is a national organization piloting its groundbreaking programs in Ohio. The vision of the organization is that by sharing lived experiences and collaborating with law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals, and other similar organizations, VOC18 is building a foundation of advocacy, awareness, resources, and support for children with disabilities and their families.Nicole never realized how vulnerable her son was to abuse because no one talks about the statistics, and currently, there is very little preventive education for children with disabilities. Nicole believes with proper education; she and her family would have been better prepared and able to help her son.

Nicole and her team are currently working on developing a series of books called “Evan and Gillian Says” and educational materials for children with disabilities. In addition, they are developing training programs for parents, guardians, the community, medical and mental health professionals, teachers, and law enforcement. These programs will create much needed education and awareness, and provide resources and tools, while empowering families and professionals how to help such a vulnerable population.

The future of Voices of Change (VOC18) is to continue to raise awareness of the abuse individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities endure at astonishing rates until abuse is talked about openly and prevention becomes second nature. In part, this can be achieved through a healthy thought education plan for caregivers, law enforcement, teachers, doctors, and anyone who is involved in the lives of a individuals with a disability.