1. August is #ABLEtoSave Month

The goal of #ABLEtoSave is to increase public awareness around the benefits of tax-advantaged ABLE savings and investment accounts to increase the financial well-being of people with disabilities. ABLE accounts offer eligible individuals a path to “Achieve a Better Life Experience (ABLE)” through the ABLE Act legislation of 2014. This includes a focus on the ways ABLE accounts can help address the needs of all individuals with disability, including Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) community members with disabilities, who are eligible for ABLE accounts.

2. DoDD Director gives an update on strategic plan

Davis The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities accomplished many of the goals and objectives outlined in its FY2020-2021 strategic plan. Director Jeff Davis shares an update.

3. Manahan Jog and Jaunt is October 2

Join Manahan & The Miracle League of Northwest Ohio for an inclusive 5K Run & 1.5 Mile Fun Walk on October 2, 2021.

4. Special Olympics Softball Schedules are posted online

Batter The 2021 softball schedules are posted on the Lucas County Special Olympics webpage.

5. TARTA submits levy proposal to the Board of Elections

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) CEO Kim Dunham and Board of Directors President Kelsie Hoagland submitted levy documents to the Lucas County Board of Elections Wednesday. The levy set to appear on the fall ballot would repeal TARTA’s current local property taxes and replace them with a sales tax, allowing TARTA to grow its coverage area and greatly modernize its service.

“This is critically important to get to this point after 11 years of work and five attempts to get the sales tax levy on the ballot,” Dunham said after submitting the paperwork. “In terms of economic development and workforce development, a robust public transportation system has always been important."

6. Arc asks for action on federal spending

The Arc is asking us to tell our members of Congress that plans for a $3.5 trillion spending package include Home and Community Based Services.

HCBS programs struggled to continue to provide life-sustaining, daily, in-home services in the face of frontline staff shortages with a long history of low wages. Without the immediate and strong leadership of Congress and the Administration, these problems will get worse.

Senate Democratic leadership announced that they reached an agreement on a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that they will move through the reconciliation process. The outline of the legislative package includes numerous priorities that will support people with disabilities, including the investment in Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).

Congress is deciding right now whether to allocate the full $400 Billion for HCBS that is in President Biden's Build Back Better recovery plan. The full $400 Billion is necessary to ensure HCBS is accessible and equitable.

7. National Disability Voter Registration Week is just around the corner!

National Disability Voter Registration Week (NDVRW) will be September 13-20. Join a virtual training on August 5 at 2pm EST or August 11 at 7pm EST to learn how to get involved in NDVRW 2021! During these trainings, you'll learn how to host events, engage candidates, educate voters, and use digital outreach to build the power of the disability vote. Join the training on August 5.

8. Vote for Bittersweet Farms

Now through September 30th, you can vote for Bittersweet Farms in the Target Circle program to help determine how Target divide funds in its charitable giving. Find out more about Target Circle here.

9. Job Postings

The Lucas County Board of DD has several open positions, including Service & Support Specialist and Data Analyst. See a list of all the open positions and review the benefits of employment with the Board at this link.

The Ability Center has the following openings. They can all be found via this link.

- Assistive Tech/Medical Equipment Coordinator (Full Time/Job Share)
- Assistance Dogs Trainer (Full time)
- Disability Rights Advocate, Healthcare and Public Access (Full Time/Job Share)