1. Board to cosponsor training series with the Dementia Coalition
As part of its ongoing partnership with the Dementia Coalition, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is again cosponsoring a training series with Dr. Phil McCallion, a world-renowned expert in dementia and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Click on any of the session names below for more information. Free social work, counselor and DODD certification credits are being offered for attending these sessions. The schedule is as follows:
- Advanced Dementia Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Monday, March 21, from 1-3 p.m.
- Redesigning Day, Employment and Living Situations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia – Monday, March 28, from 1-3 p.m.
- Ask the Expert Session with Dr. Phillip McCallion, Ph.D., director of the Temple University School of Social Work – Tuesday, April 12, from 1-3 p.m.
- Train-the-trainer for Basics of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia – Friday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m.
2. Board to host ‘Nutrition Needs for Older Adults’ March 29
The Board’s Senior Committee will host “Nutrition Needs for Older Adults” on Tuesday, March 29, at 12:30 p.m. The session will take place over Zoom and will feature Rachel McAllister, renal dietician. To register, please contact Sara Gardner at sagardner@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5164.
3. OSDA to host F.E.A.R. Factor March 28
The Ohio Self Determination Association presents “Medicaid and Medicaid Buy In – Confronting Fears About Losing Benefits Due to Employment Opportunities” as part of its F.E.A.R. Factor series on Monday, March 28, 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. Please address any questions or concerns to Lisa Comes at lcomes@oacbdd.org.
4. OCECD to present ‘A Matter of Trust’ March 24
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities will host “A Matter of Trust: Family-Professional Partnership Practices that Promote Post-Secondary Success” on March 24 at 6 p.m. This webinar will provide attendees with actionable practices that build equitable and trusting partnerships between families and professionals, with the intent to collaboratively plan for post-secondary student success. Attendees will learn the science of trust and how it is applied to partnership practices to generate meaningful academic, social and behavioral outcomes for students with disabilities. To learn more and to register for this webinar, click here.
5. TARTA seeks input about potential new service scenarios
TARTA Next has evaluated existing transit ridership, local market conditions and regional travel patterns. The project team has also gathered feedback from the community through an online community survey of existing transit riders, public meetings, and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. Using feedback received during the first phase of the project, two conceptual service scenarios have been developed. Learn more about these scenarios and provide your thoughts here.
6. Board to host Reverse Parade March 25
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will play host to a Reverse Parade on March 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. This drive-through parade is part of the activities that the Board has hosted as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Everyone is encouraged to load up the car and drive to Board headquarters at 1154 Larc Lane in Toledo. Each vehicle that drives through will get a free swag bag of goodies. For those who wish to park the car and hang out, we’ll have food trucks available with delicious fare for purchase.
7. Lucas and Wood county boards to host DSP retention workshops
Providers, if you are exhausted from the constant cycle of direct support professional turnover, if you want to hold on to DSPs like a magnet, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has the workshop for you! The DSP Magnet Retention Workshop will provide simple, actionable and immediate steps for improved on-boarding/training experiences, strengthening your culture, and creating an ISP for DSPs so they get the support they need to succeed and stay. There will be two opportunities to attend these free workshops: March 30 in Bowling Green and April 27 in Toledo. Spots are limited. Learn more and sign up here.
8. Save the Date! CCS Black and White Gala is April 22
The Courageous Community Services (CCS) Black and White Gala will be April 22 at the Parkway Plaza in Maumee.
During this fun-filled evening, CCS will recognize the individuals and companies that have gone above and beyond to support the advocacy and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in our community. The event also will include entertainment from dueling piano players. Proceeds from this event will ensure the continuation and expansion of the quality programs CCS offers for people of all ages with disabilities. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
9. Social Security Administration issues scam alert
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an alert urging the public to beware of scammers. The SSA will never threaten, scare or pressure you to take immediate action. If you receive a call, text or email that does these things, it is a scam. Do not give them any money or personal information. To learn more about protecting yourself from Social Security-related scams, click here.
10. OCALICON call for proposals now open
As the premier autism and disabilities conference, OCALICON is committed to providing informative, engaging, applicable, interactive, world-class sessions presented by leaders in the field and content experts from across the nation and around the world. This year’s conference takes place Nov. 15-18.
To learn more about joining OCALICON as a presenter, click here. The deadline for submissions is March 31.
11. The next Sibshop is March. 19
Brothers and sisters of individuals with developmental disabilities are invited to attend the next Sibshop meeting on Saturday, March 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.
12. Register for the 2022 Disability Policy Seminar
The 2022 Disability Policy Seminar is scheduled for March 28-30 in Washington, D.C. Attendees can join in-person or virtually.
The Disability Policy Seminar offers the chance for advocates, self-advocates, experts and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. Attendees leave with the tools to bring strong advocacy to virtual meetings and other follow-up actions as efforts are made to raise awareness among members of Congress about issues important to the disability community.
For more information, including registration, click here.
13. Register for the 2022 Autism Walk
The ninth annual Autism Walk takes place at the Franklin Park Mall on Sunday, April 3, at 10 a.m.
Participants will walk the hallways of the mall before enjoying post-walk festivities in the food court area. There will be games, crafts and an Autism Resource Fair featuring service organizations in the area. All proceeds from the Autism Walk fund programs that support, advocate and educate on behalf of the autistic community. To register or donate click here.
14. OOD schedules ‘Inclusive Employer Handbook’ webinar series
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) will host “Inclusive Employer Handbook,” a monthly webinar series designed to help employers create and sustain a disability-inclusive workplace.
The series will conclude with an Accessibility Hour to answer frequently asked questions from the previous webinars. The remaining schedule is as follows:
March 23: Workplace Accommodations April 21: Workplace Accessibility May 19: Accessibility Hour
All webinars begin at 10 a.m. More information can be found here.
15. The Ability Center offers college scholarships
Ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to achieve higher education is critical. That’s why, in partnership with its auxiliary, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo has provided nearly $500,000 in college scholarships to area students with disabilities. 2022 scholarship applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and apply by March 31. For more information and to apply, click here.
16. Register for Courageous Acres
Registration is now open for summer 2022 camp sessions at Courageous Acres. Each session is themed and tailored for a specific age group. Dates are available from June to August. To learn more and to register, click here.
17. Providers invited to join OhioISP
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is actively preparing for the release of OhioISP and wants to assure all providers that the OhioISP is available to them, even those working with a county board that uses a third-party vendor. With OhioISP, providers working with multiple counties can find all the assessments and ISPs for the people they support in OhioISP with one simple login. Also, there is no cost to use the OhioISP. There’s more information to come, including training videos and materials. If you have any questions about using the OhioISP, contact OhioISP@dodd.ohio.gov.
18. U.S. Department of Transportation to hold public meeting on air travel by persons who use wheelchairs
The U.S. Department of Transportation will host a virtual public meeting regarding air travel by persons who use wheelchairs on March 24 from 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This meeting will provide opportunities to listen and learn from persons who use wheelchairs on the difficulties they encounter during air travel. Airlines will discuss both the challenges that they face in providing accessible air transportation and the actions that they are taking or plan to take to improve the air travel environment. To register, click here.
Requests to make oral comments during the meeting or to submit written materials to be reviewed during the meeting should be sent to FlyingWithWheelchairs@dot.gov no later than March 21, 2022.
19. REV UP to host ‘Campaigning with a Disability’ on March 21
The REV UP Voting Campaign at the American Association of People with Disabilities will host “Campaigning with a Disability” on March 21 at 1 p.m. Join this webinar to learn about the process of campaigning from people with disabilities who have done it. For more information and to register, click here.
20. REV UP to host voter registration workshop March 23
The REV UP Voting Campaign at the American Association of People with Disabilities will host a voter registration workshop on March 23 at 2 p.m. This workshop will focus on how to get more voters with disabilities registered and ready to vote in 2022. This webinar will be led by the REV UP team at the American Association of People with Disabilities, along with Rock the Vote and other organizers and advocates in the REV UP network. For more information and to register, click here.
21. Preferred Properties looks to fill Board of Directors vacancies
Preferred Properties Inc. is seeking to fill several vacancies on its Board of Directors. The mission of Preferred Properties is to develop, manage and maintain accessible and affordable housing for persons with disabilities, seniors and others in need that will facilitate opportunities to reside in livable communities. Applicants should be residents of the state of Ohio, and the appointments will serve a three-year term. Interested applicants should contact Cheryl Wilson, executive director of preferred properties, at cwilson@preferred-properties.org.