1. Conor Smenner in DD Awareness Month TV Interview

Hats off to Conor Smenner who was interviewed by WTOL-TV as part of the television station's series of features highlighting DD Awareness Month. Conor discussed People First Language and attitudes that adversely impact people with disabilities. Watch the interview.

2. Nate Turner featured in DD Council podcast

Nate Self-advocate and Lucas County Board of DD member discussed the importance of advocacy in a recent podcast produced by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. View this insightful conversation. The episode explores what advocacy actually means and how someone can get started

3. TARTA announcing service changes

On March 29, TARTA riders can expect route changes with improved service to local hospitals, employers and other essential destinations in Toledo, Sylvania, Sylvania Township and Maumee. The following TARTA fixed routes are expected to see significant changes:

• Route #2 - Monroe St./Franklin Park Mall
• Route #5 - Dorr St./University of Toledo
• Routes #12 and #14 as new independent routes in East Toledo
• Route #19 - Sylvania Ave to Franklin Park Mall
• Route 31- Broadway/Glendale/Southwyck

Among these changes, TARTA will also be introducing ‘Core’ service – where service frequency will increase from every 90 minutes to every 30 minutes where demand is the highest and on the highest demand routes. Beyond Core service areas, hourly service will be extended to major hospitals, job centers and services.

4. DD Council recruiting members

The Ohio DD Council is recruiting new membership for the following categories:

Individual with a developmental disability,
Parent or guardian of a child with a developmental disability, and
An immediate relative or guardian of an institutionalized or previously institutionalized individual with a developmental disability or an individual with a developmental disability who resides or previously resided in an institution.

If you are interested in becoming a member, go to the New Member Application page for more information. You may apply online or download documents to complete and mail. Deadline to apply is April 18, 2021

5. Time to register for spring sports

Special Olympics athletes can sign up now for spring activities. Use the online registration form for the quickest way to register. To learn more about the spring activities read the latest newsletter.

6. Virtual townhall will discuss proposed waiver changes

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is planning to make changes to simplify and align the Level 1 and Self Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Medicaid Waivers. The Ohio Self-Determination Association (OSDA) is hosting a virtual "Town Hall" to discuss these changes and to hear what you have to say about them. This will be Friday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The Department of DD wants to make the two waivers easier to understand and use: Think about.....

What would make it easier to find a provider?
What would make it easier for providers and enrollees to use the waiver?
What would make it easier to adjust your services when you need to?
What is simple now, that you would not want to lose?
What doesn't work so well?
What changes do you think are needed?
What are your ideas about improving services?
To align, DODD wants to make Level 1 and SELF as much the same as possible.

The "Town Hall" meeting is free, but registration is required.

7. COVID-19 and Vaccine Survey for Adults with Disabilities

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is very concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities and has launched a cross disability survey to look at vaccine hesitancy and access challenges people with disabilities are encountering. The objective of the COVID-19 and Vaccine Survey for Adults with Disabilities is to better understand the reasons adults with disabilities have or will take the vaccine, are not sure about taking the vaccine, or have decided not to take the vaccine. This information will be shared with the disability community, health and public health professionals, policymakers, and researchers. Take the survey.

8. Ability Center offers extended adult programming

The Ability Center now has extended adult programming available to meet goals with the areas of housing, transpiration, education, employment, health care, public spaces, social opportunities. For more information, contact The Ability Center.