Friday Update: March 17, 2023

Music Vine Concert Series on Fridays

Join Bittersweet Farms for the Music Vine Concert Series at the Grand Rapids Town Hall every Friday from 11:30am-1:00pm! This event is free and open to the public, so bring your favorite rhythm instrument and dancing shoes and join in the fun! Click here for more information.

Adult Autism Spectrum Board Game Night tonight

Come out for some FUN and games starting at 7:30 p.m. on March 17 at the Toledo Game Room, 3001 Sylvania Avenue, parking/entrance rear of building. Members bring their favorite non-traditional board and card games to play. Introductory games available for learning and play. Click here for more details.

Sibshops is tomorrow

Does your special needs child have a sibling, aged 8-16 years old? This free group is just for them! Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting. The meeting is on March 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

Bowling with Heroes on Sunday

More than 100 individuals we serve are registered to bowl with TFD, TPD and other local celebrities! This FREE event for registered participants will take place at Glass Bowl Lanes on Telegraph Rd from noon-2 p.m. on March 19.

RallyCap Sports Basketball starts Sunday

Registration is open now for the BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports basketball season! Sessions will be on March 19, 26, and April 2 from 3-4 p.m. at BGSU. Lots of fun for people with special needs, all abilities are welcome. Click here to learn more or click here to send an email if you are new to the program.

Wealth and Wisdom Class on March 22

March's Wealth and Wisdom class is on March 22, 5:30pm-7 p.m. via Zoom. The topic is “Spotlight on Social Security Disability Insurance.” This free class, presented by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities as part of our Wealth & Wisdom series, will provide an overview of the SSDI program. Classes are free and print materials will be provided. Click here for more information or click here to register. April's Wealth & Wisdom class will be all about STABLE accounts. It will be a hybrid class, with in-person attendees offered a free dinner. Click here for more information about April's session on April 19.

Discovery Night at Imagination Station on March 22

Join Sunshine Communities for a free, sensory friendly night of discovery at Imagination Station on March 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This is a night meant to give people with developmental disabilities special access to all of the exhibits they love! All exhibits will be open and café food will be available for purchase. This is a free, family-friendly event! Click here for more information.

Officer Training For Encounters With I/DD Individuals on March 23

“Encounters with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” is the only OPOTA-approved course of its kind in Ohio. This 4-hour interactive course will help participants gain an understanding of the characteristics of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and how this relates to encounters with officers. They will also learn tactical steps to respond to an individual with I/DD in crisis to improve communication and increase safety for all parties involved. Officers can choose from one of two sessions on March 23, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1-5 p.m. at the Board's South Toledo headquarters. Registration costs will be covered by the Board for any law enforcement officers employed by a jurisdiction within Lucas County. Click here for more information.

Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Event on March 25

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Lucas DD is hosting a movie event at the Maumee Indoor Theatre on March 25 from 3-7 p.m. The movie "The Peanut Butter Falcon" features a main character with a disability. This event is free and open to the public.

Greater Toledo Challenger Little League Fundraiser on March 25

Eat some spaghetti for lunch (noon-2 p.m.) or dinner (5-7 p.m.) on March 25 to support the Greater Toledo Challenger Little League, a baseball league for all people with disabilities. Any age, any ability gets on the team. Everyone bats, everyone plays, and everyone wins! The event will take place at the Springfield Township Community Building. For additional information, click here.

LCBDD Board Meeting on March 27

The LCBDD will hold its monthly Board meeting on March 27 at 6 p.m. This public meeting is in-person only at the Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in South Toledo. The public is welcome to attend. This month's meeting will feature a special presentation on adaptive technology and the Lucas DD Tech Hub.

Lemonade Stand at Tarta Transit Hub on March 28

In honor of DD Awareness month, the LCBDD staff will be out in the community offering free lemonade to refresh travelers between 9:30-11 a.m. on March 28, at Tarta Transit Hub, 612 N. Huron St, Toledo. Click here for more information.

Cops and Conversation on March 28

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is providing an opportunity for law enforcement and people with developmental disabilities to get to know one another and ask questions. This virtual meeting is on March 28 from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information or click here to join the zoom call.

Rec Jam on March 29

Lucas DD presents ‘Rec Jam’ from 7-9 p.m. on March 29 at The Venues, downtown Toledo. This fun event is for our individuals 18 and over to come together to dance and socialize. Light concessions will be available for purchase, but admission is free — just show up as you are and have fun! Click here to register or here for more information.

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ on March 29

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ is a monthly series of a live virtual conversation on resources to help find funding for children with developmental disabilities. This month, at 7:30 p.m. on March 29, Toledo-area mom Elizabeth Maher will share how she got her son’s iPad and students' iPads covered through insurance and other funding sources. We will talk about the process and how to get the process started. We will explore companies who bill insurance, information you need, who needs to be involved, what you need to do, accessories, etc. Click here to join this month's session! or click here for more information or to watch past sessions.

Lunch and Learn on March 30

The Ability Center will welcome representatives from Ohio STABLE accounts for a hybrid Lunch and Learn, sharing resources about the tax-free savings for disability related expenses on Thursday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m. Through this account, people with disabilities can save and invest without fear of losing their benefits. Click here for full details.

Best Buddies Bowling Event on March 30

Best Buddies is an international, volunteer organization, ran locally by a partnership with University of Toledo students to build peer relationships and lasting friendships. Click here for general information. The next social meet up is on March 30 from 4-6 p.m. at Bowlero Bowling Alley, Toledo. $10 for bowling and shoes (additional cost for refreshments). Click here for information about the event or click here to ask any questions.

Immersive DD Experience on March 31

Come learn more about developmental disabilities through interactive DD Awareness activity stations between 12:30-4:30 p.m. on March 31. This event is free and held at Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo.

Ability Center offering scholarship opportunities

The Ability Center and its Auxiliary is once again offering college scholarship opportunities to area students with disabilities. Open to all students with a disability and a permanent address in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, or Williams counties in Ohio and Monroe or Lenawee counties in Michigan. Click here to learn more and download an application. Application deadline is March 31.

Miracle League Registration Day is April 16

The 2023 Miracle League of Northwest Ohio baseball league will be starting in May! Player registration day is on Sunday, April 16 from 1-3 p.m. at the Northwood AAA building (the old high School) at 700 Lemoyne Rd, Northwood. The $25 registration fee is waived for players who register on or prior to April 16th. Click here to learn more.

Nominate NOW! Disability-Friendly Awards 2023

The Toledo City Paper has partnered with The Ability Center for the Disability Friendly Awards. Please nominate your favorite Inclusive Family-Friendly Event, Disability-Friendly Workplace, Local Disability Ally, Most Accessible Restaurant/Bar, and Best Adaptive Outdoor Activity. Deadline is April 30. Click here to get your nominations in!

Save the Date! Bike Safety Fair is May 15

Mercy Health and LCBDD have joined together to bring you a Bike Safety Fair from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, May 15 (rain date May 18). This is an event for all ages. You can have your bike and helmet inspected, learn safety rules of the road, ride your bike, enjoy food from the food trucks, enter to win prizes, and more! Stay tuned for further updates.

ConnectEBT mobile app now available

The ConnectEBT mobile app is now the official mobile app of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio is rolling out the ConnectEBT mobile app for SNAP benefit cards. The other EBT apps you may be using are not associated with Ohio’s contracted EBT vendor. You can now use the secure ConnectEBT app, which is associated and connected directly with your official account. You can view your balance and purchase history, change your PIN, activate your card, and report your card lost, stolen or damaged.