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Friday Update:

Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

 

Disabled and Proud Festival July 8

 

In honor of Disability Pride month, the 2023 Disabled and Proud Fest welcomes those of all abilities to celebrate the disability experience in Toledo!

This all-day event at Levis Square in downtown Toledo will have fun activities, live music, food trucks, and an all-abilities 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament for youth and adults! Anyone with or without a disability can come out and play. The festival runs from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on July 8. Click here for full details.

 

SALUTE Storytellers Live Performance on July 15

The Toledo Museum of Art, in collaboration with the University of Toledo's Disability Studies Program and Lucas DD, present SALUTE Storytellers: Stories of Disability Pride. Join these self-advocates on Saturday, July 15th at 3 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion as they share their stories and celebrate their disability identity. Program will feature a special performance by iDance as well as artwork created by individuals served by the Board! For full details, click here. Free and open to the public! Refreshments provided.

Board Meeting Highlights

At its monthly meeting this week, the Lucas DD Board of Directors recognized a HR employee on her retirement and a SSA as the Staff Person of the Month. They also gave Special Recognition awards to the Lucas DD SSA Support Staff and Jeff Newton, University of Toledo Chief of Police. Click here to read more.

Lucas DD Board Closed on the Fourth of July

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. On-call staff are available 24/7 on our Emergency/After Hours line at 419-380-5100.

Sip and Paint on July 7

Friends and family are invited to this free event from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 7! Come to Sunshine Communities and paint a 5x7 canvas with simple prompts, led by art studio manager, Larry Knight. Enjoy spirit-free drinks alongside Sunshine friends! Click here for full details.

Positively Portable Preschool

Bring out your youngsters from 10-11 a.m. on July 8 for an imaginative, playful, engaging, learning, dancing, singing, moving, grooving – but not overwhelming – kind of time. All abilities are welcome! Ideal for ages 0-12 years. Parents and children will be participating together. No registration required. Click here for more information.

Super Saturday Dance on July 8

The next Super Saturday Dance is on July 8 from 7-9 p.m.! The dance is just for individuals with special needs and their caregivers, who must be present. 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. Registration is recommended. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Summer Playgroups start on July 10

Come join Lucas DD for a fun summer playgroup from 10-11:30 a.m. on July 10! Open to all families and their children. We will be meeting at Nature's Neighborhood at the Toledo Zoo. Lucas County residents are free from 10am-noon on Mondays at the zoo (parking fees apply). You will need identification to verify your address. No registration is required. If you have a Development Specialist, you can contact them for updates to the playgroup. Click here to see a flyer with information about additional playgroups.

SALUTE Meeting on July 10

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will have its monthly meeting on Monday, July 10, beginning at 5:30. You can attend in person or via Zoom. Questions? Contact Deetra Mitchell at 419-380-5141 or dmitchell@lucasdd.org. Click here to join the Zoom call.

 

Free Adaptive Dance Classes July 10 and 12

Toledo Ballet Adaptive Dance offers individuals who are differently-abled FREE dance instruction! Neurodivergent learning styles such as Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder can experience the sheer joy of dance and music. For ages 10+, Adaptive Dance & Fitness: An introduction to Adaptive Dance with instructor Ann Heckler will take place on July 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Ottawa Park; and July 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Smith Park. No registration is required. Caregivers do not participate but are required to stay onsite. Additional classes available. Click here for full details.

Special Needs Beach Party on July 13

Come enjoy the day with your family without having to worry about the public crowd. GetAway Bay in Milan, Michigan is open on July 13, from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. only to individuals with special needs and their families! There will be a bounce house, paddle boards/boats, and staff dedicated to assisting individuals with water access! Free admission and food provided. Donations welcomed! RSVP for this event at migetawaybay.com/events.

 

SALUTE Storytellers Live Performance on July 15

To commemorate Disability Pride Month, The Toledo Museum of Art, in collaboration with the University of Toledo's Disability Studies Program and Lucas DD, present the SALUTE Storytellers: Stories of Disability Pride. Join these self-advocates on Saturday, July 15th at 3 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion as they share their stories and celebrate their disability identity. Program will feature a special performance by iDance as well as artwork created by individuals served by the Board! For full details, click here. If you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please click here to e-mail Katie Shelley. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is encouraged. Click here to register.

New Common Ground Social Skills Group for Adults begins July 18

Lucas DD is proud to announce a new adult social skills group. This group is ideal for individuals who are interested in simply hanging out, while also enjoying some structured social skills training, games, activities, and snacks! The Common Ground and Friend Network will help individuals build lasting and sustainable friendships and connections, whether they are looking for friends, roommates, dating interests, or other relationships. The summer session will meet from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on July 18, August 15, and September 19. Click here for full details.

Free Youth Art Workshop on July 18

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE art workshop just for kids/teens. Creative Kids provides an opportunity for youth (6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills! This class will be on July 18 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the NAMI Office - 4334 Secor Rd. in Toledo. Limited space and registration is REQUIRED to attend. To register your child(ren), please click here to email Kristen Zientek.

Plein Air in Pastel Art Class on July 19

Discover the art of Plein Air painting with Red Bird Sylvania! Join instructor Mary Jane Erard for a special, FREE course designed for all skill levels and abilities on July 19 from 1-3 p.m. Learn composition, color, and technique while exploring the beautiful landscape. No experience needed; all materials provided. Reserve your spot now! Ages: Mature Teens 14+ and Adults. Click here to register.

Unified Bowling League Meeting on July 22

The unified bowling league will be back in action for the 23-24 season. Please plan on attending the informational meeting on Saturday, July 22, 11:15am at the New Glass Bowl Lanes. The unified bowling league consists of individuals (ages 16+) with intellectual or developmental disabilities bowling with "partners" who want to bowl and have some fun! Information regarding costs and start date will be discussed at the meeting. Click here for more details. Any questions, please contact Kelley Watson at 419-380-5109.

 

The Ability Center takes over the Main Library on July 22

Empower, Educate, and Explore: The Ability Center Takes Over Toledo's Main Library! Toledo's downtown branch will host fun and educational activities during this family-friendly event to empower, educate, and include people of all abilities. Activities include: Dog Demonstrations, Celebrity Book Readings, Basketball (Wheelchair), Art installations + Adaptive Art Tools, Disability-Friendly Awards Winner Announcement, Resource Vendors, Hands-on Activities, Yoga (Wheelchair), Sensory Spaces, and Exploring Various Ramp Angles: Testing the Limits. No registration needed, just come to the Main Library between noon and 4 p.m. on July 22!

 

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, on Monday mornings from July 26-August 14. For full details and registration, click here.

Did you know?

 

You'll find even MORE events on our online calendar, as well as further details on these highlighted events.

 

Click here to view our calendar of ALL upcoming events!

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.

 

Self-Advocacy Weekly Meeting with OSDA

Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA) is a non-profit organization that empowers people with disabilities and their families. Their goal is to expand awareness of self-determination principles, provide valuable training resources, and promote advocacy efforts. Join them for an online meeting every Wednesday at 11am to learn more about self-advocacy skills and how to speak up for yourself and others! Below, you'll find the planned topics for each week. To see the topics for the week, simply click here. You can RSVP through the website at www.WeThriveTogether.org, by email at alyssa@WeThriveTogether.org, or by phone at Toll Free: 1-866-584-5640. 

Free Resource for Those with Rare Chromosome Disorders

Discovering that you or your child has a rare chromosome disorder, copy number variant or single gene disorder that is causing a learning disability, developmental delay or other symptoms can come as a great shock. You might be feeling a mixture of emotions; sadness, confusion, numbness, anger, guilt, "why me?", isolation, bewilderment and very often a sense of grief for the child you had anticipated. You might despair at the lack of information available or that the disorder doesn't have a 'proper' name. Whatever your feelings and emotions, it can help to talk to people who understand what you are going through. With a global network of families and professionals, the online group called Unique can help you learn more about your child's (or your own) rare chromosomal abnormality. You can ask questions and be even matched with other families who are in the same or similar situation. Click here to visit their website.

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!

New Local Podcast Seeks Individuals to Tell Their Stories

A new podcast, Telling It Our Way, is looking for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share their stories about family, work, advocacy, and more. The podcast is part of WGTE's "Voices Around Us" Podcast Series. Recordings start in July, and the podcast is scheduled to debut on August 8. Please email Ally Day or Becca Monteleone if you are interested in learning more.

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 about the survey, click here.

Video of the Week

Lucas County Special Olympics sent over 100 athletes and coaches to compete and participate in the state summer games in at the Ohio State University last weekend! Click here to watch a video with some highlights. Click here for the video.

 

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