1. Honor for Board of DD member Nathan Turner
Congratulations to Board of DD member and president of the self-advocate group SALUTE, Nathan Turner. Nate was recently chosen by the ABLE National Resource Center to be a 2021 Ambassador.
According to the ABLE NRC website, “Ambassadors represent a diverse selection of ABLE programs, types of disabilities, geographic locations, ages, gender, race and ethnicity, along with a wide range of ABLE goals. The role of ABLE NRC Ambassadors is to act as national spokespersons, providing a human face to ABLE. During 2020, Ambassadors shared their knowledge and success using their ABLE accounts with millions of other ABLE-eligible individuals. Ambassadors use their own lived experiences and personal stories to motivate others to take advantage of the transformative benefits of being an ABLE account owner.”
2. Inclusion Fair scheduled for April 14
The annual inclusion fair will be April 14. The fair provides information regarding: after school programs, community programs and activities, summer camp services, and more. More information, including the library locations where you will be able to pick up an information packet, is available at https://InclusionFair.org
3. Circle the date for the Board of DD Annual Meeting - April 26
This year the Board's Annual Meeting will be streamed live on Facebook on April 26 at 6:00 p.m. The keynote speaker this year will be Ms. Barbara Sapharas, an Independent Consultant working with the Nisonger Center to share information about Charting the LifeCourse. She has worked in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) for over 45 years with a focus on empowering and supporting people with disabilities and families, driven by her experience as a sibling. Barb was a founding member of both Ohio SIBS and the Sibling Leadership Network. She is currently a Board Member of the Ohio Self Determination Association.
Also at the Annual Meeting the Board will present several honors to Community Partners, name its staff member of the year, and present the award for Self-Advocate of the Year.
Please join us!
4. Online presentation to discuss Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities
Often misunderstood or not known, Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) is an Ohio Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to working Ohioans with disabilities. Historically, people with disabilities were often discouraged from working because their earnings made them ineligible for Medicaid coverage. MBIWD was created to enable Ohioans with disabilities to work and still keep their health care coverage.
Join the discussion 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 12. Advance registration is required for this free presentation and discussion:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89447284005
5. Amendment proposed to help with housing for persons with disabilities
As the need for accessible housing continues to grow, The Fair Housing Center is working to remove barriers that often prevent the development of housing for people with disabilities. Working in collaboration with other partners including ABLE, The Ability Center, and Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, The Fair Housing Center drafted a zoning text amendment that was introduced to Toledo City Council. The proposed ordinance recommends updates to zoning regulations that apply to group living, including recovery housing and permanent supportive housing. These changes are crucial to reduce unfair restrictions that are based on the type of people living in a facility. Read the full legislation.
Tenants have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications from their housing provider to make their rented house or apartment accessible. Join the Fair Housing Center for a virtual step-by-step guide through this process on April 15 at 10 a.m. Ideal for tenants, housing advocates, and housing providers, this training will help ensure people with disabilities can enjoy housing that best suits their needs.
6. Ability Center is hosting listening session
The Ability Center is hosting a listening session for advocates to discuss barriers for people with disabilities in housing, transportation, health care and public access, online, April 29. Click here for advanced registration.
There is also a survey on the same subject, available until May 31 at this link.
7. Ability Center looking for teenagers for summer program
The Ability Center is looking for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities to enroll in our Youth Leadership Forum. Students will improve leadership, citizenship, and social skills. The virtual program will run from June 21 – 25.
8. Upcoming Events and Activities
April 12 - Arc webinar on Medicaid Buy-in for Workers with Disabilities
April 12 - Work Leads to Independence fundraiser
April 15 - People First of Toledo
April 24 - Adaptive Tennis at Twos Athletic Club
9. Worth Repeating
"The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes." -Jack Hanna