1. Board presents Community Partner Awards

At its Annual Meeting, the Board presented five Community Partner Awards to recognize organizations and businesses who made extremely valuable contributions in the past year in efforts to help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their full potential.

ProMedica/Ebeid Children’s Hospital did not hesitate to partner with the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities in order to help provide the COVID-19 vaccine to the people with disabilities we serve. by providing invaluable support in scheduling, coordinating, and facilitating 3 vaccine clinics, which helped to vaccinate more than 500 individuals with developmental disabilities.

In December of 2020 we received a call from a family we serve informing us they were without heat in the home. Shepherd Mechanical agreed to assist without any hesitation or cost fully restoring heat to the family. Shawn from Shepherd’s Mechanical stated “No family should be left cold in the winter.”

We want to acknowledge how important a role TARTA and TARPS have played in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities during the pandemic. Not only to get individuals to work… to the doctor… and the super-market… but also providing a connection to election locations… and helping educate the public about human trafficking.

The Toledo/Lucas County Health Department has been a vital partner in helping hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, at a recent large clinic for Lucas County Educators, the Board was allowed to set up a table filled with information for transition-age youth. We were able to provide crucial information to thousands of Educators that will greatly benefit students with developmental disabilities.

Over the past year, the pandemic caused many programs and activities to stop suddenly due to concerns with health and safety and the need to stay home. We Thrive Together stepped up to the plate offering a variety of free classes and activities online, during the day and in the evening, ranging from exercise groups such as chair yoga and dance classes, to online games such as Family Feud, Bingo and Trivia. Not only have they helped reduce social isolation and provided activities, individuals have had the opportunity to meet others and form friendships across the state.

2. Telehealth resource for people with DD, family members

Ohio Family 2 Family and the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD) have developed an online telehealth toolkit for people with developmental disabilities and their family members. The resource, which includes an instructional webinar, printable slides, and handouts, is available in English, Spanish, and Somali. The content is focused on helping people with developmental disabilities understand telehealth, its uses during COVID-19, and the steps that one should take to have a good telehealth appointment and follow up. Visit the Telehealth toolkit.

3. Ohio DD Council seeking members

Ohio DD Council is seeking applications from advocates to become a part of the Governor-appointed board that works to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life. Deadline to apply is May 28, 2021!

4. Aging Gracefully newsletter published for May

Follow this link.

5. Flower Sale Fundraiser

Prep your garden for spring or surprise your mom for Mother's Day! Purchase from Lakewood Flower Market during Mother's Day weekend and 20% of sales will be donated to youth with disabilities. You must mention The Ability Center to credit the sale. Lakewood Flowers is at 4701 Talmadge Road in Toledo. Hours are 9 to 5.

6. Charting the LifeCourse webinars scheduled in June

The Charting the LifeCourse Framework was created by families to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages. Click here for full details. CEUs will be available.
and their teams