1. DeWine seeks a slight increase in funding for Developmental Disabilities
Governor Mike DeWine has unveiled the broad structure of his proposed two-year state budget, outlining several key priorities that included more funds for education, children's services, and the fight against the state's ongoing opioid epidemic.
Under the proposed 2022-2023 budget, DODD's funding would grow by slightly more than 5% in the first year of the biennium. The budget proposal includes slight increases in overall funding for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
2. "Planning for the Future" webinar series continues
It's never too early or too late to begin planning for your child's future. The final webinar of the Planning for the Future: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers series is taking place on February 11 at 10 a.m., hosted by The Ability Center and Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The webinar will cover SSI and STABLE Accounts and a panel of experts will speak on the topic and be available for questions. To RSVP, please visit http://bit.ly/39sm412. To view the recordings of the other two webinars, please visit http://bit.ly/3civNcd
3. Registration open for all-virtual DD Awareness & Advocacy Day on March 2
Registration is now open for the 2021 Developmental Disability Awareness and Advocacy Day, which will take place virtually over Zoom on Tuesday, March 2. Pre-registration is free but required to attend.
The day will include remarks from several statewide DD advocates leading up to constituent meetings with lawmakers in which people and families are invited to discuss policy issues affecting their lives. This year's general session and all legislative meetings will take place online via Zoom. There will be no in-person attendance due to COVID-19.
A detailed agenda is forthcoming. Visit ddohio.wordpress.com to learn more and follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioDDAwareness.
4. Recreation/Special Olympics virtual calendar for next week
Click here for activities for the week of February 8.
5. Toledo Museum of Art will work to become more accessible
The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) and The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (ACT) signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a new, multi-year strategic partnership in the effort to make the Toledo area the most disability-friendly in the country.
This shared role will bring ACT’s knowledge and resources to the Museum for a period of several years, equipping TMA with the expertise to identify and systematically eliminate barriers to encounters with art, improving the Museum experience for people with disabilities at any stage of life.
“Seeking the expertise of The Ability Center as a guide, the Toledo Museum of Art is prioritizing its vision to become the model among art museums for its culture of belonging,” said Adam Levine, Toledo Museum of Art Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey director. “The Museum is holding itself accountable to a formal Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) plan, which is being developed with input from staff, volunteers, Board and the community.”
6. TARTA will participate in Ohio Loves Transit Week
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) is hosting a Community Forum during Ohio Loves Transit Week to share future plans and new projects underway. Opening remarks will be provided by TARTA CEO Kimberly Dunham. The event also features a keynote presentation by national transit expert Mark Aesch, CEO of TransPro. Mark is a sought-after leader and best-selling author on transforming public transit systems across the nation to operate with a private sector mindset in order to increase efficiency and focus on customer needs. Pre-registration is required and available here: Register >
7. New Aging Gracefully newsletter
Follow this link for the February edition.
8. Group 1B expands eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine
Eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine has expanded to include those 65 and over. Click here for more information from the Health Department and locations/scheduling information.
Individuals with developmental disabilities should be contacting their SSAs to make sure they are on the stand-by list. People who do have an SSA or don't know their SSA name should contact Margaret Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk by email at mzotkiewicz-dramczyk@lucasdd.org or by phone at 419-380-5117.
Another resource -Health Partners of Western Ohio will be opening up to the public to administer the Covid vaccine. Next week 2/8-2/12 will be for 65 & up. The following week 2/15-2/19 will be for anyone under the age of 65. Registration can be called in to the Bulldog Center (Scott High School) at 419-442-7701.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has a dedicated web page for department communications and links to helpful resources. Click here.
9. State updates guidance for Adult Day Services
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has issued a new order on January 29, 2021 that replaces the prior ODH order issued in March 2020. Restrictions put into place through this order remain in place until rescinded by the director of ODH or until the governor ends the state of emergency.
Read more about the order here.
10. Online series to address personal safety begins March 1
The Lucas County Board of DD is partnering with the Ability Center to present a series of online presentations on personal safety. The first session is March 1. Follow this link for details.
11. Podcast focuses on Acoustics for Autism
The latest installment in our podcast series focuses on Acoustics for Autism. Listen to the podcast series at this link.
12. Tickets are now on sale for the annual iDance showcase
Follow this link for all the information. Seats are limited.
13. Worth Repeating
"Destiny is that which we are drawn towards and Fate is that which we run into." -Wyatt Earp