Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

SALUTE Storytellers Live Performance on Saturday

The University of Toledo Disability Studies Program and Lucas DD present SALUTE Storytellers: Stories of Disability Pride live Saturday, July 15th at 3 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion.

Self-advocates will share their stories and celebrate their disability identity. There will also be about 50 pieces of artwork made by our individuals on display. Free and open to the public! Refreshments provided.

Click here to watch the event via Zoom

American Sign Language for Teens: Multiple Free Classes in July

Learn the ABCs, how to spell your name and a cool phrase in American Sign Language in this free ASL for Teens class with the Deaf Service Center, held at various Toledo Lucas County Public Library branches. If you are between ages 11-17 and interested in sign language, this class is for you! Classes offered between July 13-27, click here for the full schedule and location details.

People First of Toledo Summer Picnic is tonight

It's People First of Toledo's 25th chapter anniversary! The Summer Picnic will be Friday, July 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the Courageous Community Services campus in Whitehouse. there will be a cookout at camp, music, games, and a bonfire with s'mores. Feel free to bring your own favorite game. The picnic will be held outdoors under the camp pavilion, weather permitting. Dinner will be served at 5:00. This is a free event, no registration required. For full details, click here.

Free Teen Outreach Program now through Aug. 2

YWCA of Northwest Ohio has a free teen outreach program from 10 a.m. - 2 pm. July 11 - Aug. 2. Join them for fun games, clubs, sports, service learning, and more. Transportation, lunch, and snacks are all provided. Full details here. Click here to register.

Special Education Free Legal Clinic on July 17

The Special Education Legal Clinic offers parents and guardians an opportunity to meet with a special education advocate or attorney in an open and welcoming environment to ask questions and discuss specific challenges related to education. Clinic staff members and volunteers will help guide parents and guardians through the special education process and provide resources to request and secure special education services. On July 17 at noon, there will be a group workshop followed by a Q&A panel from special education professionals. Attendees participate virtually. Free 30-minute individual guidance sessions with attorneys are available for scheduling as well. The Clinic is a public-private collaboration between three independent organizations, including Disability Rights Ohio, the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children With Disabilities, and Albeit Weiker, LLP. For full details and the link to register, click here.

Teen-Tastic Social Group on July 17

Gigi's Virtual Playhouse is hosting a social night especially for teens on Monday, July 17 from 7-8 p.m.! This free, 1-hour group session focuses on building social skills with friends (with and without Down syndrome) by participating in team-based activities in a casual and fun setting. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking and problem-solving abilities. The theme for the 17th is WILD AND WACKY! Please have paper and a writing utensil for the meeting. For full details, click here. To obtain the link, you must register for a (free) My GiGi's account, which you can do by clicking here. If you have any questions about signing in, please email virtualprograms@gigisplayhouse.org.

Picnic at the Park on July 18

Play and interact at the playground on July 18 from noon-2 p.m. at Pearson Metropark! The Ability Center Staff will bring chalk, bubbles & games. Suggested age group: Preschool to 12 years. Parents stay with their children to supervise. Click here to register. For questions, contact Jennifer Engelmann, Youth Family Services Coordinator at jengelmann@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733. 

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.

Self-Advocacy Workshop on July 20

Discover Your Voice, Break Barriers, and Empower Your Advocacy Skills in an Interactive Event featuring insightful discussions, brainstorming sessions, role-playing scenarios, and personalized templates to achieve your goals! The speaker at The Ability Center's Lunch and Learn from 11 a.m. to Noon on July 20 is Angie Goodnight. You can attend in-person or via zoom. Registration required. Click here to register.

Inclusive Book Reading on July 20

The Ability Center presents: a DREAM book reading and activities for children of all ages and abilities. In this story called Look Out For Sarah, you'll enjoy a tale about friendship, loyalty, and trust, as you spend a day in the life of Sarah and her guide dog, Perry. Sarah, a blind musician and teacher, entertains the children she teaches and tells them about the time she and Perry walked from Boston to New York to show the world what a blind person can accomplish with the help of a guide dog. Come to the Swanton Library at 3 p.m. on July 20! Click here to see the event on their website.

"Create Now" Art Workshop/Support Group on July 20

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE "Create Now" art workshop on July 20 from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. Come and explore a variety of art techniques and experience the power of art while connecting with others. This workshop features a different art project/support theme every month and is open for individuals 15+ living with a mental illness and their family/friends. Registration is required! To register and get details about location, please email kzientek@namitoledo.org

NAMI's African American Leadership Initiative on July 21

The 10th Annual Forum of NAMI's African American Leadership Initiative is on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Library. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for registration and resource tables. This year's forum promises to be an exciting and informative event, featuring keynote speaker Cecil Holston, and Charles Williams, Willie Knighten and Cecil Holston for a panel discussion. A light lunch will be provided! The focus this year is on exploring ways to promote mental health & wellness and safety within the African American community, and to empower leaders to take action towards this goal. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with community members, learn from experts in the field, and gain valuable insights and strategies for improving mental health outcomes in our community. Click here to secure your spot! For more information about this FREE event, please contact Sonya Quinn at 419-243-1119 ext. 103 or squinn@namitoledo.org

Playgroup and Parent Talk on July 21

The Ability Center of Toledo invites everyone to this accessible and sensory-friendly experience at the Inclusive Playground Perrysburg Rotary Community Park, 26350 Fort Meigs Rd, in Perrysburg. Call Jennifer at 419-855-5733 or email jengelmann@abilitycenter.org if you have additional questions or concerns. Rain/bad weather location: Heatherdowns Library. Sign up by clicking here.

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, 11:15 a.m. 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.

It's All About Love Tennis Event on July 22

The James P. O'Connell Foundation is having its second annual "It's All About Love" Charity Event on July 22. Activities run from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an adult tennis tournament in the morning and a free kids' clinic in the afternoon. In addition to tennis, guests will have the chance to interact with international professional tennis players Luke and Murphy Jensen and enjoy several kids' activities! Click here to register for the kid's clinic.

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! Click here for full details.

Little Hands Sensory Groups on July 25-26

YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Presents the 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! There are 4 groups between July 25 & 26. For full details including locations and times, click here.

Grant Workshop Wednesday on July 26

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ is a monthly series of a live virtual conversation on resources to help find funding for children with developmental disabilities. Join Parent Support Advocate Tammy Eisenreich at noon on July 26, who will be talking with Julie DeArmon about how she put together a golf outing to raise funds for all the many alternate therapies she did with her son. Click here to join this month's session! Click here for further information.

Golf Scramble to Benefit Special Olympics

Fore! It's the 4th Annual Lucas County Special Olympics Golf Scramble, Aug. 19 at South Toledo Golf Club. Shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a beverage at the turn, and dinner afterward. For more information, registration, or sponsorship opportunities, click here!

9th Annual CommUNITY Film Fest is Aug. 20

Back and better than ever, the 9th annual Community Film Festival is 2-5 p.m. on Aug. 20 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre! The event is a showcase of the partnership between Lucas DD, FilmToledo, and the Maumee Valley Chapter of Partners for Inclusion. 17 films will be screened before we announce the award winners as selected by our panel of judges. Free and open to the entire community, come celebrate the creativity of our individuals on the big screen! More information at www.CommunityFilmFest.org.

Lucas DD Summer Rec Jam is Aug. 30

Our always popular Summer Rec Jam returns to Centennial Terrace, 7-9 p.m. on Aug. 30. The dance party is free for anyone 18 and older. Registration is required. For more and info and to register, click here.

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.

Lucas DD Senior Committee

The Lucas DD Senior Committee offers consultations and resources for providers, family members, and Lucas DD staff with cases involving an individual with a developmental disability who is aging and/or experiencing dementia-related symptoms. This includes helping families plan for when the caregiver ages, and other family members and friends may need to take on a bigger role. To make arrangements for a consultation or make any other inquiries about resources, email seniorcommittee@lucasdd.org.

Local Resource Especially for Families with Autistic Individuals

The Autism Counseling and Support Services program at Avenues for Autism specializes in providing autism-focused counseling to autistic individuals and their families. Our expert therapists support clients to improve coping tools, develop new communication strategies, and build skills to create emotional connections with others and promote independence – all while embracing neurodiversity. Sessions are provided via telehealth with flexible scheduling options available. Life can be overwhelming, with many forks in the road. You’re not alone. Avenues for Autism will be with you every step of the way. To learn more or request services, please visit avenuesforautism.org or call (419) 210-5095. 

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs. This program provides $50 worth of coupons to eligible adults 60+ years of age to purchase locally grown produce from local farmers. This USDA program serves our Northwestern Ohio counties of: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties. Contact the agency office at 419-382-0624 with any questions, or click here to submit your application.

Applications being accepted for Lucas DD Adult Day Program Grants

Deadline for this round is July 31! 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!

Opportunity to Nominate Outstanding Organizations and/or Individuals

Do you know of an individual or organization that has had a significant impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities? Courageous Community Services is seeking nominations for their annual awards celebration. You can make nominations in the following categories: Outstanding Community Service, Outstanding Employer, Outstanding Self-Advocate, and Outstanding Direct Support Professional. Click here for full details.

OSU Study Seeks Families who need/use Home Care Nurses

Ohio’s developmental disabilities community has long struggled with a shortage of nurses to provide care to people with developmental disabilities living in the family home. The pandemic, coupled with significant pay increases for travel nurses, has heightened the nursing workforce shortage crisis across the state. Families are often having to consider out-of-home options for their loved ones with developmental disabilities, which range from small private providers to large intermediate care facilities (ICF), and state developmental centers. The goal of the study is to assess and report on the home care nursing crisis and formulate recommendations to key stakeholders to reduce the nursing workforce shortage in the field of developmental disabilities. For more information and the study link, click here.

Take the Rights on Flights Survey

AccessNow is collecting data surrounding the experience of individuals with disabilities in the air travel industry. If you would like to contribute your thoughts and experiences, please check out the survey by clicking here. If you are interested in an app that features accessible places across the world, check out the AccessNow website where you can download the app.

Ohio Disabilities Council Seeks Applications for New Members

The statewide Council seeks to diversify membership to increase inclusion and representation on the Governor-appointed board. The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council membership is recruiting new applicants interested in serving on the statewide Council that advocates on behalf of and funds initiatives to improve the lives of Ohioans with developmental disabilities. To apply to become an Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council member, click here to complete the online application. One term on the Council is three years and appointees are eligible to be reappointed for a second term. Questions about the application or serving on the Council can be sent to the DDCInfo@dodd.ohio.gov. For more information about the Council, visit the website at https://ddc.ohio.gov.

Golf Scramble Sponsors Needed

Do you have a business (or know of a business) that would be interested in being a sponsor for The 4th Annual Lucas County Special Olympics Golf Scramble on August 19? Access the form here or email us at specialolympics@lucasdd.org!