Southwest IL man advocates on behalf of disabled people in Illinois

Recently appointed to the newly created statewide Access and Functional Needs Advisory Committee, Todd Roach of O’Fallon hopes to create more awareness and advocate on behalf of disabled residents.

Roach, who represents Ward 4 on the O’Fallon City Council, is one of nine people appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and the only one south of Springfield. They met last month and plan to meet quarterly.

The purpose of the board is to recommend improvements to state agencies to integrate access and functional needs into emergency plans, and to make sure that people with disabilities are included in disaster strategies and emergency management plans.

“It’s astonishing to me that this had never been addressed before now,” Roach said. “We’re going to work with the emergency management agencies across the state. We’re going to research what changes are needed.”

The types of disabilities included, but not limited to, are individuals with mobility and physical challenges, hearing and visual impairment, deafness or hard of hearing, blindness or low vision, mental health, and intellectual or developmental ones.

“We need people to understand the diversity, that it’s not only people in wheelchairs. It’s people who are blind and deaf, and dealing with diseases. This should be extensive. We have a lot of work to do,” he said.

The board is overseen by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and includes people who reflect diversity in age, gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds.

They are tasked with delivering a report to the General Assembly, the governor’s office, and IMEA by July 1, and annually thereafter.

The pandemic has been a challenging time for state and local programs, and the COVID-19 public health crisis forced legislative bodies to look at rules needed in an emergency.

“It shed a light on what needed to be done,” Roach said.

Several state offices and agencies have representation on the board, too, such as the attorney general and the Department of Health and Human Services.

This will help bring attention to items the legislature should address — propose changes in policies, laws, rules, or regulations. Roach has already met or talked with some local state representatives and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on state and local issues. He plans to keep a dialogue going with the elected officials.

“We can really have an impact on what’s needed for people with disabilities, and for others to have an understanding,” he said.

They will identify core emergency management services that need to be updated or changed to meet the needs of people with disabilities and include disaster strategies not just in the state but local plans.

They can recommend improvements on the accessibility and effectiveness of disaster and emergency communication. They also can look at comprehensive training for first responders and other frontline workers when encountering disabled persons during emergency situations or disasters.

Roach has been tuned in to the plight of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis through his involvement in the Gateway Area Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in the St. Louis metropolitan area and southern Illinois.

He is on the local board and has been active in supporting the 21st Century Cures Act and raising funds for MS research. MS affects the central nervous system, impacting the brain and spinal cord through nerve damage.

“We are trying to make a difference in the lives of those with MS and their families,” he said.

This is personal for Roach, family

Being an advocate to improve lives for those with disabilities of all kinds is personal for Roach and his wife, Jackie. One of their twin daughters, born three years ago, was diagnosed with autism.

During the coronavirus pandemic, a program vital to her support was shut down. She was unable to get the care she had been receiving through home visits, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, which is designed to help autistic children not be further developmentally delayed and help prepare them for school.

“Was the risk of getting COVID-19 worse than not getting care that had everything to do with developmental delays?” he said. “Should the rules have applied to those that needed that help? What could have helped those eligible for care?”

Community involvement

Roach hopes to use his experience and skills to work collaboratively with the board to benefit the diverse disabled community.

Roach was elected to the city council in 2019 and is chairman of the community development committee and serves on the public works committee.

Prior to that, he had served as vice-president of the O’Fallon Community Consolidated District 90 School Board and as a trustee for O’Fallon Township.

Meet Todd Roach and family

A lifelong resident of O’Fallon and a graduate of O’Fallon Township High School, Roach earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and international business at Lindenwood University. He is director of human resources at The Marmon Holdings Inc. in the Plumbing & Refrigeration division.

He has about 20 years experience working in retail management and manufacturing. He and his wife are small business owners.

They have five children — son, Jackson; a set of twin girls, Olivia and Reese, born on the 11th day in the 11th month during the 11th hour at 34 weeks; and two older daughters, Kaleigh and Stella, who attend District 90 schools.

He is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and local youth sports programs.