Save the Date! Board to host Employment Fair June 7
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will host an Employment Fair on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Larc Lane Training Center at 1155 Larc Lane in Toledo. The event will focus on filling vacancies at the Board as well as direct support professional and other employment vacancies with providers that support people with developmental disabilities.
Many positions are available, including those in personal care, health care/medical, social services, business/finance, human resources, case management, personal transportation and group transportation.
This Employment Fair is ideal for those who want to gain experience working with people with disabilities. For more information about participating as an employer or as a prospective employee, contact Melissa Merritt at mmerritt@lucasdd.org.
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 90-minute Spotlight Classes during the month of May. These free virtual sessions will cover topics like SSI, SSDI, Ohio’s STABLE program and overpayments from Social Security.
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.
Board to host BE SAFE Parent Session
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will host a BE SAFE Parent Session on May 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. This free session will give attendees practical advice to help teen and adult children stay out of trouble and interact safely with the police. It will feature safety specialist Emily Iland and her son Tom, a self-advocate with autism, as well as two sheriff’s captains who are strong allies of the I/DD community. This session will be held at the Board’s Larc Lane Training Center at 1155 Larc Lane in Toledo. For more information and to register, click here.
Board to offer BE SAFE professional certificate course
The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will host a two-part BE SAFE certification course on May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free course will prepare attendees to directly address the safety needs of clients or students. Attendees also will be certified to facilitate BE SAFE Interactive Movie Screenings. It’s ideal for teachers, transition and behavior specialists, residential staff, support professionals, and others who directly serve individuals with I/DD. Both sessions will take place at the Board’s Larc Lane Training Center at 1155 Larc Lane in Toledo. For more information and to register, click here.
May’s ‘Aging Gracefully’ now available
The latest edition of “Aging Gracefully” is now available. This issue includes an introduction to Kayla McKeon, the first registered Washington, D.C., lobbyist with Down syndrome; the new and improved TARTA system; information about upcoming webinars and training opportunities; and more. Read the entire issue here.
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.
Save the Date! ‘Let’s Glow’ prom night is June 18
Adults who receive services from the the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (and their guests) are invited to iDance APAC’s Let’s Glow prom night on Saturday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. The event, which will include dinner and dancing, will take place at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall at 4645 Heatherdowns in Toledo. The cost is $25 per person.
In addition, iDance APAC will hold a Free Dress Day on Sunday, May 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at 151 N. Michigan Street, Suite 229, in Toledo. Dresses are available while supplies last, and no alterations will be available.
For more information about Let’s Glow, click here.
‘Ohio Housing for People with Disabilities’ webinar is May 17
The Center for Disability Empowerment will hold a “Ohio Housing for People with Disabilities” webinar on May 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This event will feature panelists who work with various federal, state and local programs. Attendees will learn about these programs and who might qualify for their housing services. For more information and register, click here.
Christy’s Corner Cafe to present STABLE Account information session
Christy’s Corner Cafe in Elmore, Ohio, will host a STABLE Account information session on May 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Doug Jackson, deputy director of STABLE Accounts with the Office of the Ohio Treasurer of State, will discuss the option for employees with disabilities to directly deposit earned wages into a STABLE Account without risking the loss of necessary support through Medicaid and Social Security.
Christy’s Corner Cafe is located at 368 Rice Street in Elmore. For more information and to register, contact Kathy Barbee at christyscornercafe@gmail.com.
OOD schedules ‘Inclusive Employer Handbook’ webinar series
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will host the final session of the “Inclusive Employer Handbook” webinar series on May 19 at 10 a.m.
During this session, Accessibility Hour, attendees will learn ways to create a disability-inclusive workplace, steps to provide workplace accommodations and create workplace accessibility, and how to recruit, hire and support employees.
For more information and to register, 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 of Developmental Disabilities 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 nonprofit organization from Cincinnati, Ohio, will offer a three-part online 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.
People First to host final Wednesday Walk at Oak Openings
People First will host the sixth and final free social walk at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark on May 11 at 5:30 p.m. The group will walk the park’s 0.6-mile Light Blue Trail. Walkers should meet at Mallard Lake. For more information about Wednesday Walks and to register, click here.