Board to present housing advocacy training
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will present “Housing Advocacy Lunch and Learn: Renters’ Rights and Responsibilities” on May 11 from noon to 1 p.m. To be held virtually over Zoom, this training will provide an overview of landlord tenant law in Ohio, with helpful tips from move-in to move-out. Participants will learn the rights and duties of both landlords and tenants and how tenants can exercise their rights through rent escrow. Participants also will receive information about evictions, including who is subject to an eviction and how the process works. Finally, participants will learn about recent updates to Toledo law that impact tenants’ housing rights.
One hour of LSW/LPC and DODD continuing education is being offered for this session. To register, contact Sara Gardner at sagardner@lucasdd.org.
Board to present SSI Spotlight Classes
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities has scheduled four 90-minute Spotlight Classes beginning May 3. These free virtual sessions will cover topics like SSI, SSDI, Ohio’s STABLE program and overpayments from Social Security.
May 3 – Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
May 10 – Spotlight on Social Security Disability
May 17 – Spotlight on ABLE/STABLE Accounts
May 24 – A Deeper Dive into Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits, including Reporting Income and Overpayments
Each session runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. To register and receive class materials, email shathaway@lucasdd.org.
Ability Center to offer free accessible bird-watching opportunities
The Ability Center is partnering with the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Birdability to offer four free accessible bird-watching opportunities next week, the Biggest Week in American Birding. Each outing will take place entirely on flat pavement, and accessible restrooms will be available. The sessions are scheduled for May 7, May 8, May 10 and May 11. For more information and to register, click here.
Ability Center’s Flower Sale fundraiser begins May 6
The Ability Center will hold its annual Flower Sale fundraiser over Mother’s Day weekend at Lakewood Flower Market. The sale will take place May 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this event, 20 percent of all sales will be donated to youth with disabilities. Lakewood Flower Market is located at 4701 Talmadge Road in Toledo. For more information, click here.
Affordable Connectivity Program provides internet access discounts to SSI recipients
The Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients access to reasonably priced internet services. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households also can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 toward purchasing a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers. To qualify for this one-time discount, households must contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. Any household with an individual who receives SSI is eligible to receive discounted internet service through the ACP. To learn more, click here.
DODD offers OhioISP information session for families
The Ohio Department DODD has developed an Ohio Individual Service Plan (OhioISP) that Ohioans with developmental disabilities can use to outline the services and support they receive. To learn more about the OhioISP, join a free virtual information session June 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. To register, click here.
Starfire to offer ‘Families at the Center of a Connected Community’
Starfire, a non-profit organization from Cincinnati, Ohio, will offer a three-part training series, “Families at the Center of a Connected Community,” on May 19, May 26 and June 2. The series will offer practical tips, lessons, values and stories from families walking the talk of inclusion in their neighborhoods. Each session takes place from noon to 2 p.m.
Starfire strives to build better lives for people with disabilities by connecting them with their communities. These connections help to lessen the isolation and loneliness that people with disabilities often experience by uniting them with people and passions in their local areas. Click here to learn more about Starfire.
To register for “Families at the Center of a Connected Community,” click here.
SALUTE to meet May 9
SALUTE will hold its next meeting May 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the training room of the Lucas County Board of Development Disabilities’ Larc Lane Building. (Use door O.) This month’s guest speaker will be state Sen. Theresa Gavarone.
Doors open at 5 p.m., and light snacks will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Deetra Mitchell at dmitchell@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5141.
Participants needed for accessible news focus groups
A group of researchers, including a professor in the University of Toledo Disability Studies program, is recruiting for focus groups to talk about accessible news for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project focuses on how people with disabilities get their news, where they get it, what stories they are interested in, problems they have getting the news, and ideas for making it easier to read the news. These focus groups will be held virtually or in person at the University of Toledo, and each participant will receive a $25 gift card. To participate, complete the sign-up form here. Please direct any questions to plainlanguagenews@gmail.com.
Toledo Ballet Gala featuring Dancing Wheels is tonight!
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.
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 Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s Main Library at 325 Michigan Street in Toledo.
Applications are due April 30. For more information, click here.
People First to host Wednesday Walk at Pearson Park
People First will host the fifth of six free social walks at Pearson Park on May 4 at 5:30 p.m. The group will walk the park’s 1-mile trail. Walkers should meet in Lot 1. For more information about Wednesday Walks and to register, click here.
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.