1. Services for Independent Living to present ‘Traveling with a Disability’
Services for Independent Living presents “Traveling with a Disability: Steps to Take that can Improve Your Experience” on Thursday, Jan. 27, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Join Dennis Kramer, chief of planning and engineering at the Cleveland Airport System, for an in-depth discussion on what individuals with disabilities can do when preparing to travel to make their commutes and security checks go smoothly.
Click here to register.
2. Grant Pow-Wow Wednesday is Jan. 26
The next Grant Pow-Wow Wednesday is Jan. 26 at noon.
On the last Wednesday of every month, the Board profiles a different organization that helps families find funding for specialized schooling, alternative therapies, summer camp, respite, sensory items, home modifications, and other items not covered by medical insurance.
This month, the spotlight will be on Parker’s Purpose. Todd Drusback, the organization’s executive director, will be on hand to discuss what the group funds, the criteria to apply, and the supporting documents you’ll need.
Before the meeting, be sure to visit the Parker’s Purpose website. If you have any advance questions that you would like Todd to answer, please send them to Tammy Eisenreich at teisenreich@lucasdd.org.
Click here to join this meeting via Zoom.
3. Federal government makes free at-home COVID-19 tests available
The federal government is offering four free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests for every household in the U.S. You must place your order at COVIDtests.gov. The process is very easy and takes about two minutes to complete. Order your free tests now, so that you’ll have them if you need them. Those without internet access and those needing assistance may order by calling 1-800-232-0233.
4. Ability Center schedules parent info night for Next Steps Summer Program
The Ability Center will host a parent info night for its Next Steps Summer Program on Monday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m.
The Next Steps Summer Program is for high school juniors, seniors or recent graduates with goals of living independently, working competitively, and/or pursuing post-secondary education. The program includes paid work experience, career mentorship, recreational outings and hands-on independent living skills training.
Join the parent info night to discover how this local program prepares youth and young adults with disabilities for life after graduation. Plus, learn how your child or someone you know can enroll now. Click here to register for this webinar.
5. Become a Dementia Friend
Join the growing movement of people who help fellow community members living with dementia. Learn how to become a Dementia Friend during a free virtual information session Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. You’ll learn what dementia is, what it’s like to live with the disease, and some tips for communicating with people living with dementia. To learn more and to register, contact Sara Gardner at sagardner@lucasdd.org.
6. Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group meets every Friday
The Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group meets every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Toledo Game Room. This group is for individuals aged 18 and over. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. January’s remaining schedule is as follows:
Jan. 21: Dice, cards and board games
Jan. 28: Dungeons & Dragons
The Toledo Game Room is located at 3001 W. Sylvania in Toledo. For more information about the Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group, please contact Margarette Webster at mrsmwebster@aol.com.
7. The next Sibshop is Feb. 19
Brothers and sisters of individuals with developmental disabilities are invited to attend the next Sibshop meeting on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
These free gatherings give kids the chance to meet other kids and talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a developmental disability. Sibshops also feature fun games, cooking activities and hands-on activities that will keep your kids engaged in an energetic way.
Sibshops are for 8- to 16-year-old brothers and sisters who have a sib with developmental disabilities. The events are run by a team whose members have a professional or personal understanding of the impact a child’s developmental disability can have on brothers and sisters. Equally important, they have great kid skills!
All Sibshops take place at the Alternate Learning Center at 3939 Wrenwood in Toledo, Ohio. CDC prevention guidelines will be followed. Sibshops are free!
For more information and to register, contact Wendy Smenner, Lucas County parent mentor, at 419-214-3066 or wsmenner@esclakeeriewest.org. Space is limited, so register today.
8. Ohio DODD to present benefits webinar
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities presents “SSDI – Confronting Fears About Losing Benefits Due to Employment Opportunities” on Monday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. If you’re interested in earning SSA CPDUs for attending this webinar, register here. If no CPDUs are needed, the webinar can be joined here.
9. Arc of Ohio to present trust-planning webinars
The Arc of Ohio will present its second trust-planning webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m. This second part will cover the successful use of trusts. To register, click here.
In addition, the Arc of Ohio will present “Special Needs Trusts and STABLE Accounts” on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. This webinar will feature Logan Philipps, attorney with Resch, Root, Philipps & Graham LLC, and Doug Jackson, deputy director of STABLE Accounts with the Office of the Ohio Treasurer. To register, click here.
10. Monthly workshop to discuss the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
The Special Education Legal Clinic will present “OCECD: Who We Are and What We Do,” a virtual workshop and Q&A panel, on Feb. 14, 2022.
This workshop will cover the history of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children (OCECD) with Disabilities as well as the services and support it offers to parents and professionals. Available OCECD trainings, materials and publications also will be addressed.
The Clinic is a public-private collaboration between three independent organizations: Disability Rights Ohio, the OCECD and Albeit Weiker LLP.
In addition to monthly workshops, the Clinic offers individual guidance sessions to review specific situations with advocates or attorneys. For more information, to register for a monthly workshop or to schedule an individual guidance session, click here.
11. Save the Date! Annual Inclusion Resource Fair
The Board has scheduled its annual Inclusion Resource Fair for Wednesday, March 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bowsher High School in Toledo. More details will be available soon.
12. Board issues urgent call for DSPs via new landing page
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has called for more direct service professionals (DSPs) to assist individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Lucas County. The Board created a new webpage to help community members learn more and find open DSP jobs within the Board’s provider network.
According to the Board, DSPs are essential to the developmental disabilities service delivery system; they are the front line of assistance for individuals in need of support to live, work and participate in the community at their full potentials.
“We are facing a critical shortage of DSPs in Lucas County and throughout Ohio. The recruitment and retention of DSPs are top priorities. We’re hoping our new landing page will assist community members to find and apply for these much-needed DSP positions,” said Lisa Poiry, provider and development coordinator for the LCBDD.
“The mission of the Board is to improve life so individuals with developmental disabilities can reach their full potential,” Poiry continued. “In order for individuals with disabilities to live their lives in the same manner as we do, they require support services and the assistance of DSPs.”