Friday Update: May 5, 2023

Lucas DD/ Mercy Health Bike Safety Fair in 10 days!

Bring your bicycle and helmet and head over to the Larc Lane Center between 3-7 p.m. on May 15 for a Bike Safety Fair! This is an inclusive event for all ages and abilities. You can have your bike and helmet inspected, learn safety rules of the road, ride your bike on our bike rodeo, check out vendors and enjoy food from the food trucks. Get your activity station passport stamped and enter to win prizes! We're also raffling off a brand-new bike! Registration is recommended via this link. 

Applications being accepted for Lucas DD Adult Day Program Grants

Adult Day and Employment Service agency providers within Lucas County are eligible to apply for funding to expand existing services and/or enhance their current program to be in line with DODD and Lucas DD’s vision for enhanced Adult Day and Employment Services. Each agency is eligible to receive up to $10,000 in funding that helps expand and/or enhance Adult Day and/or Employment services, promote community integration and community employment, and/or helps people achieve their goals related to Adult Day/Employment services & supports. Click here to learn more and apply!

Virtual Programming Resource Available

WE THRIVE TOGETHER is an Ohio-based nonprofit organization offering a variety of free virtual programming (from games to education and more) during the day, night, and on weekends. These programs are accessible to individuals and groups at home, day centers, schools, and residential facilities. There's also a daily check-in program as well as a weekly friendly caller program. They believe no one should suffer from social isolation or loneliness and everyone deserves the opportunity to meet awesome people. If these are services you could use, please click here check out their website.

Music Vine Concert Series Today

Join Bittersweet Farms for their first Music Vine Concert Series of the season at the Pavilion at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.! This event is free and open to the public, so bring your favorite rhythm instrument, dancing shoes, and get ready to have some fun. Click here for full details!

10th Annual Trauma Informed Care Summit

Registration is open for the Trauma Informed Care 10th Annual Summit. The draft agenda is available: Pathways to Resilience, Healing, and Recovery. The summit is May 16-17 at the Hilton Polaris, 8700 Lyra Drive, in Columbus. Workshops will focus on Workforce Development, Organizational Leadership Development, and Cultural Diversity. Download the draft agenda at this link. Register online at this link.

SALUTE Meeting May 8

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will have its monthly meeting on May 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. The guest speaker is James Kesler, an Occupational Therapist who helps teens and adults with disabilities of all kinds learn and prepare to drive. You can attend the meeting in person at the Larc Lane Center, 1155 Larc Lane (use door O) or via Zoom. Click here to join the zoom meeting. Click here to send an email if you have any questions.

SALUTE Storytellers Summer Workshops begin May 9

Learn to tell powerful stories about self-advocacy! This free workshop, held at the Larc Lane Center, is run by Dr. Rebecca Monteleone, a professor in the Disability Studies program at the University of Toledo. The group will meet six times between May and July before performing their stories live on stage July 15 at the Toledo Museum of Art. Learn how to share your story about disability pride and self-advocacy with a broad audience. For more details, click here. For questions or to sign up, click here.

Ohio Self-Determination Association's Self-Advocacy Class

OSDA is a non-profit organization empowering people with disabilities and their families. The goal is to expand awareness of self-determination principles, provide valuable training resources, and promote advocacy efforts. Join them on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - Noon to explore a variety of topics. For the rest of May, they will cover Accessibility Infrastructure, Lack of Accessible Housing, Children with Disabilities/IDEA, and Social Barriers to Inclusion. These inclusive online offerings are offered in conjunction with We Thrive Together. Please click here to RSVP through the website, or send an email to Alyssa@WeThriveTogether.org, or call (toll-free) 1-866-584-5640. Click here to see the full Self-Advocacy class schedule.

NAMI Offering a variety of FREE Art Workshops

NAMI of Greater Toledo hosts several FREE art workshops every month! These workshops are aimed at helping people express themselves creatively through art, develop coping skills, make connections with others, and experience the power of art. In May, there are virtual workshops on May 9 and 25 and in-person workshops on May 11, 16, and 18. Details vary (project, age range, time, location, etc.) and registration is required. If you are interested, please check out the details by visiting NAMI's events calendar.

Open Barn and Greenhouse Night May 11

Sunshine Communities welcomes the public to a FREE night of fun at Sunshine’s Barn and Greenhouse on May 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Sunshine’s main campus. The Barn hosts a variety of animals who are cared for by individuals at Sunshine. The Greenhouse is home to anyone who loves to work with plants. Come enjoy an evening of learning and fun! Click here for more details.

Toledo Adult Autism Board Game Night

The Toledo Adult Autism Tabletop Group (for ages 18+) will be meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12 at the Toledo Game Room. Please park/use entrance at the rear of building. Members bring their favorite non-traditional board and card games to play. Introductory games available for learning and play. Come out for a fun evening! Questions? Please click here to email the coordinator.

Nationwide Map of Adult Size Changing Tables Now Available

Changing Spaces Ohio and the Inspired Access Foundation have teamed up to create an interactive map that displays locations of all adult size changing tables across the country. You can see and search the map at www.universalchangingtablemap.com. The hope is that this map will be a resource to people in Ohio and across the country when planning day trips and travel. By consulting the map, caregivers, providers, and self-advocates will be able to find locations where they can meet their restroom needs. The map is also useful to see which cities and states are making good progress, and which have more work to do. Learn more at InspiredAccessFoundation.com.

Zoo for All Walk May 13

This non-competitive walk, within the Dart Frog Dash, begins at 9:15 a.m. on May 13 and is focused on fun and access for all! The Toledo Zoo understands that some guests may require assistance or additional accommodations. They have created a safe route within Zoo grounds for guests who may find the 5k route troublesome. Special consideration given to sensory needs and ADA accessibility. For more details, contact Toledo Zoo's inclusion coordinator at 419-385-5721 x.3039. Click here to register.

Super Saturday Dance May 13

Save the date for another Super Saturday Dance and Bible Study! The dance is hosted by Five Lakes Church on May 13, from 7-9 p.m. This evening is just for individuals with special needs and their caregivers, who must be present. Bible study starts at 6:15 p.m. followed by the dance with a light meal at 7 p.m. Registration is recommended. Click here to register.

Understanding Brain Health on May 16

Join Memory Lane Care Services on May 16 from 6 - 8 p.m. for a free educational event exploring Brain Health. Learn ways to keep your brain healthy and some changes that can happen in mid-life and later. In-person at 2500 N Reynolds Rd in Toledo or online. Click here for full details and to register.

Autism Parent Support Group May 17

AB Education & Behavior Consulting LLC presents a FREE Autism Parent Support Group at Sylvania Playland on May 17 from 5-7 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be provided! Please click here to register.

Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group

People First of Toledo, affiliated with Courageous Community Services and People First of Ohio, invite you to a Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group. The meeting is hosted by the Ability Center on May 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. Engage with your community, learn self-advocacy skills, and meet other people like you! Meetings are $5 (or $50 for 12 months) and open to everyone. Questions? Please click here to email the facilitator Quinn Thomas.

Nationwide Children's Toledo Inclusion Resource Fair on May 20

Local organizations come together to connect with families for a day of fun, family resources, networking and more during the Nationwide Children's Toledo Inclusion Resource Fair. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at the Perrysburg Inclusive Playground. Resource and service providers will be on site to speak with parents and provide helpful information for children of all ages and abilities. There will also be family-friendly games, crafts, and food trucks. This FREE event is open to the public. Click here for further details.

NAMIWalks on May 20

Changing the world begins at NAMI Greater Toldeo! NAMIWalks is being held at 4334 Secor Rd, Toledo, on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no fee to register, but fundraising is encouraged to directly support NAMI Greater Toledo. Every participant who raises $100+ will get a 2023 t-shirt. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Questions? Email sgross@namitoledo.org or click here to go to their event page.

Lucas DD Board Meeting May 22

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will hold its monthly Board meeting at the Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. This public meeting is on Monday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. and is in-person only. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Spring Fling Special Needs Dance May 27

Individuals 16+ are invited to dance the night away at the Spring Fling Special Needs Dance! This FREE event is on May 27 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Maumee United Methodist Church. Caregivers are required to stay. Pizza will be served, and guests (with last name beginning with A-M) should bring a snack to share, and guests (with last name beginning with O-Z) should bring a dessert to share. RSVP to marthakreuz@aol.com with the number attending (including caregivers). Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Closed May 29

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day. On-call staff are available 24/7 on the emergency/after-hours line at 419-380-5100. Regular business hours will resume on May 30.

Spectrum Sailing Camp June 13-15

Spectrum Sailing provides maritime education, programming, and outreach for autistic individuals. They run a FREE, 3-day sailing camp June 13-15 for 10–17-year-olds. Sessions run morning or afternoon. Campers learn knots, parts of the boat, why the boat sails, and most importantly how to sail! Space is limited. Click here for details and here to register.

May Aging Gracefully Newsletter

The May edition of the Aging Gracefully Newsletter is out! You'll find information about a workshop, some medical articles, activities to keep your mind sharp, and more! Click here to check out the issue.

Lucas DD Spring Dinner Dance June 16

Adults are encouraged to get their dancing shoes ready and join us for our spring dinner dance from 6-9:30 p.m. on June 16 at the Premier! Both attendees and any necessary caregivers are required to register! Less than 325 tickets are left! Click here to learn more and register now.

TARTA Youth Summer Blast Pass Available for free

TARTA is now accepting applications for its Youth Summer Blast Pass at https://tarta.com/blast. These passes will allow youths ages 6-19 to ride all TARTA services FREE of charge for all of June, July, and August. For full details, click here to go to their website.