Friday Update: March 24, 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 (Dungeons & Dragons) games starting at 7:30 p.m. on March 24 at the Toledo Game Room, 3001 Sylvania Avenue, parking/entrance rear of building. Click here for more details.

Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Event tomorrow!

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Lucas DD is hosting a movie event at the Maumee Indoor Theatre on March 25 from 3:30-6:30 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 is tomorrow

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.

Lucas DD Board Meeting on March 27

Lucas DD will hold its monthly Board meeting on Monday, 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.

Dance, Move & Groove Adaptive Fitness Class March 27 & 30

Driven Fitness Studio targets fitness through movement, exercise, and fun with their adaptive fitness class. All abilities welcome, first class is free! This one-hour class is on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more information or here to send an email.

Lemonade Stand at Tarta Transit Hub on March 28

In honor of DD Awareness month, Lucas DD 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 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 family friendly event is FREE and held at Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. Complete activity stations and win a prize! Food trucks will be on site.

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.

Social Event for Neurodiverse Individuals on April 1

Join Solace Health and Wellness in strengthening the community through fellowship and shared experiences at this social event for neurodiverse individuals. Activities, coffee, tea and water provided; feel free to bring caregivers as well as other items. Space is limited! Click here to register for this FREE event or here for details.

Empowering Parents through Support on April 5

The Autism Society of NW Ohio is offering a parent support group from 6-7:30 p.m. on April 5 at 1660 Amesbury Rd, Toledo. Wholehan Wealth advisors will be there to explore inancial options for your loved ones. Dinner and childcare provided! Pre-registration required. Click here to register or click here for more information.

SALUTE Meeting on April 10

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is having its monthly meeting on April 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. State Representative Elgin Rogers, Jr., will be the guest speaker. You can attend the meeting in person at the Larc Lane Center, 1155 Larc Lane (use door O). Click here to join the zoom meeting or here to send an email if you have any questions.

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. Additionally, their Here for Good fundraiser is now live. $20 per t-shirt with half the proceeds directly benefiting Miracle League. Deadline is March 31. Click here to see the shirt or place an order.

Little Hands Sensory Group - 4 sessions in April

YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Presents Little Hands Sensory Group! Designed for families with children ages 2-5 years old, this group provides an opportunity for families to connect with each other and engage in fun activities related to sensory needs and play. Two sessions on April 18, one April 19, one April 21. Click here for more information or here to register.

Autism Parent Support Group on April 19

AB Education & Behavior Consulting LLC presents a FREE Autism Parent Support Group at Sylvania Playland on April 19 from 5-7pm. Pizza and drinks will be provided! Please click here to register or click here for more information.

Wealth and Wisdom Hybrid Class on April 19

April's Wealth and Wisdom class is on April 19, 5:30pm-7:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person. The topic is “all about STABLE accounts". It will be a hybrid class, with in-person attendees offered a free dinner. Please register by April 18. Click here for more information or here to register.

People First of Toledo Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group April 20

Engage with your community, learn self-advocacy skills, meet other people like you at the People First of Toledo group on April 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. In this month's meeting, a guest speaker will be talking with attendees about ABLE/STABLE accounts. Meetings are held at The Ability Center on Monroe St. Click here for further details or here to email any questions.

Assistive Technology Fair on April 21

Wood County Board of DD and Owens Community College are partnering to provide a day full of fun and education regarding assistive technology and remote supports. This event is FREE and open to the public on April 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Click here for full details.

Partners for Inclusion at the Wranglers April 30

Join Partners for Inclusion at the Glass City Wranglers game on Sunday, April 30 at noon. Tickets are $10 with pizza and beverages included. For more information, click here or to reserve tickets click here to email Lon Mitchell.

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.