1. The Board’s annual meeting is April 25
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has scheduled its annual meeting for April 25 at 6 p.m. at the Larc Lane Training Center. This annual meeting celebrates the Board’s accomplishments for 2021 and anticipates the goals for 2022. We also will hand out awards that celebrate the best of our staff and our community partners. Trevor Lane, director of God’s Abled Ministries in Circleville, Ohio, will be our keynote speaker, and some of the individuals we serve will be there to show off their talents. We’re excited to be back in person this year and hope you can join us at our South Toledo Headquarters!
2. 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 cosponsoring a training series with Dr. Phil McCallion, a world-renowned expert in dementia and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Click on the session name below for more information. Free social work, counselor and DODD certification credits are being offered for attending this session. The last date on the schedule is:
Train-the-trainer for Basics of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia – Friday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m.
3. CDC introduces new Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have introduced a new interactive tool that allows users to input their symptoms, along with dates their symptoms started, to receive information about how long they need to isolate or quarantine. Hopefully, this Quarantine and Isolation Calculator will clarify the new CDC guidelines. The calculator can be accessed here.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration authorized second booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that can be given four months after the first. The second booster has been approved for adults aged 50 and older and for individuals 12 and older who are immunocompromised.
4. The Ability Center to celebrate 419 Day
Toledo’s official unofficial holiday, 419 Day, is April 19. If you love all things Toledo – especially inclusive people, spaces and places that make the city unique – then the Ability Center wants to hear about it on April 19. Proudly wear your Jupmode “Toledo is for Everyone” T-shirt and use the hashtag #ToledoIsForEveryone on social media. And remember to tag The Ability Center, too! Click here to learn more.
5. Board to present training on sensory stimulation/relaxation techniques
The Board will present “Using Sensory and Relaxation Techniques for Individuals with IDD and Dementia” on Thursday, April 21, from noon to 1 p.m. This training will be presented by Jennifer Kinney, provider support specialist with the Board, and Claire Copa, coordinator of education, training and outreach at MemoryLane Care Services.
Attendees can earn one hour of continuing education units for LSW/LPC, DODD SSA/AO and Provider Training.
This session will take place over Zoom. To register, contact Sara Gardner at saragardner@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5164.
6. The next Ohio Tech Ambassadors intro event is April 20
Ohio Tech Ambassadors will host a virtual intro event on April 20 at 6 p.m. During this session, attendees will get a glimpse inside the life of Tech Ambassador Renee Wood, who will talk about some of the technology she uses and how it makes her more independent. To register for this event, click here.
7. 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.
April 21: Workplace Accessibility May 19: Accessibility Hour
During session 4, Workplace Accessibility, attendees will learn best practices for creating an accessible hiring process and workplace, along with ways to provide accessibility for all employees.
All webinars begin at 10 a.m. More information can be found here.
8. Moving Ohio Forward sustainable transportation conference is April 21
The second annual Moving Ohio Forward statewide sustainable transportation conference is April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
This free, online event will include “Toward Universally Accessible Communities,” a panel featuring Vera Mendoza, disability rights advocate from The Ability Center. Scheduled for 9:30 a.m., this panel will address the transportation needs of people with disabilities and older people.
For more information about Moving Ohio Forward, click here.
9. TARTA announces Easter operating hours
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) and TARPS will operate on Easter Sunday, April 17, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:21 p.m.
The TARTA information line at 419-243-7433 and the TARPS reservation line at 419-382-9901 will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will return to normal hours Monday. TARTA’s downtown Toledo Transit Hub at 612 N. Huron Street will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Finally, Call-A-Ride reservation hours will be adjusted for this weekend only. Rides for Monday, April 18, can be reserved either Saturday or Sunday.
10. Urban Air Adventure Park sensory-friendly event April 24
Urban Air Adventure Park will host a sensory-friendly event on Sunday, April 24, at 9 a.m. Urban Air is located at 5243 Airport Highway in Toledo and features trampolines, indoor climbing walls, interactive games and more.
11. Toledo Ballet Gala featuring Dancing Wheels
The Ability Center presents a Toledo Ballet Gala featuring Dancing Wheels at the Valentine Theatre on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. During this one-night-only performance, Toledo Ballet Dancers will join Dancing Wheels, an inclusive dance company that brings together dancers both with and without disabilities. To purchase tickets, call 419-246-8000 or click here.
12. 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. The second free workshop will be at the Board’s Larc Lane Center on April 27 at 9 a.m. Spots are limited. Learn more and sign up here.
13. The Sight Center to host blind wine event
The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio will host A Taste of Spring, a blind wine event, on Thursday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m. This unique wine-tasting fundraiser will combine wine, food and fun awareness activities to engage the non-visual senses. Guests will sample a variety of fine wines, enjoy tasty food pairings and participate in fun activities that demonstrate the solutions used every day by people who live with vision loss.
The Sight Center is located at 1002 Garden Lake Parkway in Toledo. The cost is $45 per person. Spaces are limited. For more information, click here.
14. The Ability Center presents Youth Leadership Forum
The Ability Center will present an Ohio Regional Youth Leadership Forum June 21-24.
This four-day training program will include a meeting with government officials, a tour of the Toledo City Council Chambers and innovative programs with community leaders with disabilities.
Twenty high school juniors and seniors with disabilities will be selected to attend. This program is available at no cost and will be held at the Main Library at 325 Michigan Street Toledo.
Applications are due April 30. For more information, click here.
15. April’s ‘Aging Gracefully’ now available
The latest edition of ‘Aging Gracefully’ is now available. This issue covers a new Ohio law designed to expose nursing home abuse, the new and improved TARTA system, information about upcoming webinars and training opportunities, and more. Read the entire issue here.
16. People First to host Wednesday Walk at Swan Creek
People First will host the third of six free social walks at Swan Creek Metropark on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. The group will walk the 1.6-mile Brown Trail. Walkers should meet at the Airport Highway Entrance. For more information about Wednesday Walks and to register, click here.
17. 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.
18. CCS Black and White Gala to be held 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.
19. 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.