1. Family and Advocate Forum with Superintendent Mariucci is Tuesday evening
Family Members, Advocates and Providers are invited to join Superintendent Lori Mariucci for her next Family and Advocate Forum on Tuesday, September 14th, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The Forums are designed to be informal discussions with the Superintendent to discuss items she feels are important, and also an opportunity for those in attendance to raise issues they feel are important.
The Forum will also be simulcast on the Board's Facebook page.
Among the topics we’ll discuss are: the DSP shortage, the new Ohio ISP, Transportation initiatives, TARTA updates and updates on Special Olympics.
Please use the zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85125901944?pwd=VFlPSS9Oa1R5aWpJamxHTUZEUjVKUT09
Meeting ID: 851 2590 1944 Passcode: 677373
Please extend this invitation to others you know who are interested in services to persons with developmental disabilities.
2. Register for Special Olympics fall activities
Fall sports this year include flag football, corn hole, and walking. Take this link for the registration form.
Click here to read the fall newsletter.
3. DSP Recognition Week
The week of September 12-18 is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week where we celebrate the remarkable people who support, care for, and provide the most essential of services for people with developmental disabilities.
The Department of Developmental Disabilities wants to hear your appreciation for the DSPs who support you, who are your co-workers, who are your community partners, and the backbone of Ohio’s service delivery system. Fill out this survey and your answers could be used in social media posts, videos, or other communication from DODD.
4. OhioISP put in Plain Language
The OhioISP places the needs of the person receiving services in the center of the planning process. The person leads the planning process by making choices, setting goals, and deciding how they want to live their life. Use this plain language guide to explain more about the OhioISP.
5. Disability Vote Summit will be virtual
The National Disability Rights Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities will be hosting the 2021 Disability Vote Summit on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM EST. At the virtual Summit, discussion will focus on:
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- The power of the disability vote
- Lessons learned from 2020 turnout
- How to use data to mobilize the disability vote
6. A message from Bittersweet Farms
"Like so many other organizations and businesses, we are facing the most critical staffing shortage in our history. At Bittersweet, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality care and support to our participants. Our mission is to positively impact their lives, and that is and will always be our highest priority.
"In order to continue fulfilling our mission in this challenging time, we are focusing the efforts of our dedicated and talented team on our most essential services. As team members take on new responsibilities and pick up extra hours, we are making difficult decisions to ensure our mission can be sustained.
"Therefore, Bittersweet Farms will be temporarily suspending product sales through the Market at Bittersweet Gardens website, effective immediately. We will continue to process a limited number of custom orders through our Etsy shop.
"We continue to offer meaningful, paid employment to our Day Program participants as they create products, but at this time the products will be for sale exclusively at local in-person festivals. Our next scheduled festival is Apple Butter Fest in Grand Rapids, OH on October 10th."
7. Health and Wellness Alert
Falls were the second leading cause of accidental deaths for Ohioans with developmental disabilities in 2020. Read this alert about preventing falls.
8. Seminar scheduled on public transit
Public transportation is a lifeline for people with disabilities - a gateway to the entire community. Join us as we explore ways to make public transportation more available and accessible to those in northwest Ohio through a series of speakers and local panelists.
The ADA Seminar, September 30, is presented by The Ability Center annually and will provide an opportunity for professionals to learn about best practices in access to public transit for people with disabilities. ADA coordinators and anyone interested in disability rights advocacy should attend. Click here for the agenda and links.
9. Looking for a new career. The Board has several open positions.
Current open positions with the Board are listed on our website. In addition to finding links to apply online there is also a list of benefits. Open positions include: Public Information Manager, Service and Support Specialist, Service and Support Specialist Substitute, Speech and Language Pathologist, Accounting Clerk, and Data Analyst.
10. Shining Star cancels talent show with a live audience
Shining Star’s Talent show to be held at the Maumee Theatre on September 14 will not have a live audience. Due to the pandemic they have reconsidered and will not be hosting the show in person. There will be a recording of the show shared following.
11. Activities & Events for the DD Community
September 11 – Super Saturday Dance
September 14 – Wild Child Conference
September 15 – National Disability Forum on Equity in Social Security Programs
September 16 – People First of Toledo
September 19 – High Noon Showdown
September 23 – Bridges and Rainbows
September 23 – SARTAC discussion on Who Controls Community Services
September 28-30 – Project STIR Training
September 30 – ADA Seminar: Creating Transit Access
October 1 – Lott Charity Golf Tournament
October 2 – Manahan Jog and Jaunt
October 6-7 – Synergy Conference
October 9 – Work Leads to Indpendence Masquerade
October 22 - We Thrive Together Taste of Ohio
November 20 – ASNO Gingerbread Challenge
See the entire virtual Calendar for 2021
12. Worth Repeating
"The more one listens to ordinary conversations the more apparent it becomes that the reasoning faculties of the brain take little part in the direction of the vocal organs." - Edgar Rice Burroughs