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!

Take the DODD Family Caregiver Survey

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, is conducting an online survey to gain feedback from family/guardian caregivers. The goal is to hear about the different ways families/guardians are impacted by caregiving. Family members have the choice of completing the survey online or by phone. Just click here to request a link to the survey or request a phone call. For more information, click here to visit the Ohio DODD website.

Agility Angels Summer Camp Registration is open

Looking for a summer camp that’s fun, engaging, and inclusive? Look no further than Agility Angels Summer Camp at The Ability Center! Designed specifically for kids with disabilities, our camp offers a wide range of activities to keep everyone moving, learning, and having a blast. Ages 10-15. For details and registration, click here.

Community Festival in Wood County is tonight

The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities is hosting their 4th annual Community Festival from 5-8 p.m. on June 9 (tonight)! They are inviting everyone out for an evening packed with family fun, including an array of kid-friendly activities, live music, artisan vendors, and delicious food! Click here for full details.

Popup Preschool tomorrow morning

Bring out your youngsters to The Ability Center tomorrow, June 10 at 10 a.m. for an imaginative, playful, engaging, learning, dancing, singing, moving and grooving – but not overwhelming – kind of time. Led by Teacher Denice, an Early Childhood Teacher. All abilities are welcome! Parents and children will be participating together. No registration is required! Click here for more information.

Bowling Down Barriers is tomorrow

Come to Miracle Lanes tomorrow, June 10 from 1-3:30 p.m. for some fun bowling, while supporting a great cause! Help Others Win (H.O.W.) is a Toledo-based, non-profit organization that assists low-income individuals with developmental disabilities with basics such as health, housing, transportation, finances and technology. Click here to read more about H.O.W.

Super Saturday Dance is tomorrow

The Super Saturday Dance at Five Lakes Church is a time for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy an evening of music, friends, and food. Whether you prefer to wear a tie, a dress, or your favorite jeans and T-shirt, come enjoy an optional Bible study at 6:15 and then a light dinner and dancing from 7-9 p.m. on June 10. Registration is recommended. Click here for more information.

Outdoor Expo at Glass City Metropark is Sunday

Join Metroparks Toledo at Glass City Metropark between noon - 5 p.m. on June 11 for an exciting Opening Weekend celebration. Metroparks is for everyone, and Outdoor Expo invites the community to try kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, Kids Zone and much more. Metroparks staff will be on site to showcase the new park and guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion – regardless of ability. This is an inclusive event and staff are trained and ready to make accommodations. A low sensory zone will be available at the Glass City Pavilion. Adaptive equipment will be readily available. Click here for full details.

SALUTE Monthly Meeting on June 12

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will have its monthly meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday, June 12. You can attend in person or via Zoom. This month's special guest is Lily Abrams, Lead Program Manager in Ohio of Best Buddies International, who will be facilitating a game of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," the advocacy edition. Best Buddies programs help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, and develop self-advocacy and communication skills. Click here for the zoom link. Questions? Contact Deetra Mitchell at 419-380-5141 or dmitchell@lucasdd.org

Musically Me on June 12

Move, sing, clap, dance and listen to music together with your child! Music is a whole-body activity for children and their caregivers. The Ability Center is hosting this activity session that is designed for babies and toddlers who are accompanied by a caregiver. There are two sessions offered on June 12, between 10:30 a.m. and noon, based on age. Click here for full details and registration link..

Young Adult Game Night on June 14

Young adults (18-24) are invited to come to the Ability Center for GAME NIGHT on Wednesday, June 14 from 6-8 p.m. Get together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! At this FREE event, there will be video games, board games, floor games, puzzles, or bring your own. Pizza and drinks are provided! Click here to register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. 

Free Pool Bash on June 14

The Eastern Community YMCA, located at 2960 Pickle Rd in Oregon, is hosting a Pool Bash on June 14 from 5-7 p.m. This event is free and open to everyone! Click here for full details.

Celebrate the Community Kickoff for a Dementia Friendly Toledo

MemoryLane Care Services is having a Dementia Friendly event on June 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Glass City Pavillion in Toledo. The event goals include raising awareness of dementia, providing practical resources for businesses to incorporate dementia-friendly practices, and offer information about local resources that support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Registration is required and space is limited! Click here for full details.

Summer Concert at Sunshine on June 16

Join Sunshine Communities from 6-8 p.m. on June 16th for another outdoor concert on their beautiful campus. In their “backyard” will be a local band, Arctic Clam, performing pop/rock covers on the boardwalk stage. This event is FREE and open to the public. You are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food trucks will be on site. Click here to visit the event on their website.

Practically Golf Event supporting the Epilepsy Center June 16-17

Come out to have some fun and support a great cause! The Practically Golf event is June 16-17, and your participation will help fund events such as Purple Day, Family Camp, prescription assistance program, and many others. For full details or to become a sponsor, click here.

Picnic at the Park on June 17

The Ability Center is hosting a FREE event at Perrysburg's Rotary Community Park! Gather the family and head to the accessible playground from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on June 17th for a fun-packed picnic outdoors, featuring exciting games and activities that are inclusive for everyone to enjoy! Chalk art, bubble blowing, and water activities - don't forget to bring clothes that can get wet or dirty. Stay as long or as little as you want! Bring a picnic lunch - snacks and drinks will be provided. For questions, contact Jennifer Engelmann at jengelmann@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733. Click here to register.

Free Health & Wellness Fair on June 17

There is a FREE Community Health & Wellness Fair on June 17 from noon - 3:30 p.m. featuring medical screenings as well as activities for children, bike giveaways, free food, and more. Click here for more details.

Lucas DD Facilities Closed for Juneteenth on June 19

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. On-call staff are available 24/7 on the emergency/after-hours line at 419-380-5100. Regular business hours will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20.

Toledo Airport Experience Event on June 19

AccessTOL is a program designed to ensure that travelers with disabilities have able access to all services at Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport. The Airport Experience Event is hosted on Monday, June 19, at 10:30 a.m. by the Toledo Express Airport to provide individuals with special needs the experience of traveling through an airport and identify potential challenges that may arise. At the event, individuals will learn how to visit the ticket counter to receive a boarding pass, get screened through TSA, check-in at the gate, walk through the jet bridge, and retrieve a bag at baggage claim. Registration required. Click here for more information or to register.

Free Art Class for Kids on June 20

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE art workshop just for kids/teens. Creative Kids provides an opportunity for children/adolescents (6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills! It is held at the NAMI Office on June 20 from 5-6:15 p.m. Limited space and registration is REQUIRED to attend. To register your child(ren), please click here to email Kristen Zientek.

Wigwam & Water Fun on June 21

The Ability Center is hosting an interactive wigwam building experience on June 21 from 10 a.m. - noon. Learn about Natives of the Maumee Valley with the MetroPark staff. Afterwards join for some water games & wet FUN or play at the park! If your child needs adaptations and modifications, breaks, or supports, just let us know how to help your child participate! Everyone is welcome. Click here for full details and registration link.

Wealth & Wisdom Class on June 21

June's Wealth & Wisdom topic is: Social Security Disability Insurance: The Basics and More. This FREE class from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on June 21 is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth & Wisdom series. Class will be held in person at 1154 Larc Lane, in the Multi-Purpose Room, and includes a free meal! Remote option is also available. Print materials will be provided. Questions or want to register? Email before June 16th: wealthandwisdom@lucasdd.org

Playgroup & Parent Talk on June 23

The Ability Center is hosting a playgroup on June 23, from 10-11 a.m. This free, accessible and sensory-friendly playgroup is geared toward families with children of all abilities, aged 6 and under. Click here for location and to sign up. Call Jennifer at 419-855-5733, jengelmann@abilitycenter.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) on June 24

This is the second annual Disabled Women Make History (and Art): A Celebration of Creative Women in the Community event, hosted in partnership between the Toledo Museum of Art and Disability EmpowHer Network. This FREE event commemorates the Supreme Court Olmstead decision and showcases the artwork of local disabled women artists. The event will also feature disability advocates sharing their stories about community living, and takes place in the Glass Pavilion, which is fully accessible with a no-step entrance and accessible restroom facilities. ASL interpretation and CART/live captioning will be provided. If you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please e-mail Katie Shelley by clicking here. While admission is free, registration is recommended for the event, to help ensure a great experience for all attendees. Click here to register.

Goalball Exhibition Event on June 29

Experience the thrill of Goalball at a community event on June 29, from 7-9 p.m. This FREE event is presented by The Ability Center and The Sight Center, in partnership with Five Lakes Church at 4765 North McCord Road in Sylvania. Liability waivers must be signed. Sign up as a team of 4 or by yourself! Click here for full details and to register.

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.

Computers for Ohioans with Disabilities

Assistive Technology of Ohio has a statewide program that helps people with disabilities obtain their own computer. Knowledge of how to use a computer, the Internet, e-mail and social networking are becoming fundamental, basic skills necessary for community living, employment and education. Recent studies have shown that, due to financial considerations, people with disabilities are among the most likely group of people to not own a computer. Any legal Ohio resident with a disability, any age, with a need for a computer, is eligible for the program. Click here for full details, including the cost and the application process.

Challenging Behaviors Learning Series by TACA

Behavioral issues in autism may be one of the hardest issues for parents to manage. Children with autism may display extensive, long-lasting behavior. Addressing challenging behaviors is complex. This month, The Autism Society in Action (TACA) discusses both therapeutic and medical aspects of challenging behavior. Click here for more information.

Calling all Artists!

We are looking for individuals served by the Board to showcase their artwork in a special exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art! In conjunction with the SALUTE Storytellers performance on July 15, there will be an exhibit showcasing artwork by individuals with disabilities. If you, or someone you know, would like to participate in this event, please contact Lori Balogh at 419-381-5213 or lbalogh@lucasdd.org by July 8.