Be Part of a Special Video Project!

Wednesday, July 26, is the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act being signed into law. This life-altering legislation has meant so much to so many people, and Lucas DD would love to hear what it has meant to you! Whether in written words or a short (30 seconds or less) video, please tell us what the ADA means to you, how your life changed because of it, or simply what "Disability Pride" is to you. Then send it via email to marketing@lucasdd.org or text 419-380-5186 by Tuesday, July 25 to participate in a special group video.

Unified Bowling League Meeting Saturday

The unified bowling league will be back in action for the 23-24 season. Please plan on attending the informational meeting on Sunday, July 22, at 11:15 a.m. at the New Glass Bowl Lanes in North Toledo. Unified bowling pairs individuals ages 16+ with intellectual or developmental disabilities with "partners" who want to bowl and have some fun! Click here for more details or contact Kelley Watson at 419-380-5109.

"It's All About Love" Tennis Event on Saturday

The James P. O'Connell Foundation is having its 2nd annual "It's All About Love" Charity Event tomorrow. 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 kids' clinic.

Congratulations...

...to JoRita Fox, the newly elected Chair of The Arc of Ohio Board of Trustees! JoRita is a founding member of People First of Toledo and our SALUTE self-advocacy group!

The Ability Center takes over the Main Library on Saturday

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, Wheelchair Basketball, 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.

Down for the Ride on Saturday

Down for the Ride Event is a motorcycle ride-based fundraiser, with the goal of raising funds for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo. Proceeds from Down for the Ride benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, a 501(c)(3) organization that serves families residing in 17 local counties. On Saturday, July 22 activities begin at 9 a.m. with family-friendly festivities between 2 - 10 p.m. including vendors, inflatables, a DJ, and more! Can't attend but want to support? You can purchase gear and/or raffle tickets. Click here for more details or to register.

TOPSoccer Event Sunday

The next Toledo TOPSoccer event is on July 23 from 1 - 2 p.m. TOPSoccer is an inclusive soccer program for any youth or adult athlete facing cognitive, physical and/or emotional challenges. Click here to learn more. Registration is required! Click here to register.

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 on July 24, 25, and 27, click here for the full schedule and location details.

Picnic at the Park on July 25

Play and interact at the inclusive Carter Park playground from noon - 2 p.m. on July 25. Ability Center Staff will bring chalk, bubbles & games! Suggested ages: Preschool to 12 years. Parents must stay and supervise their children. For questions, contact Jennifer Engelmann at jengelmann@abilitycenter.org or 419.885-5733. Click here to register for July 25th https://forms.office.com/r/QcEmqu6ecx

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.

Lucas DD Summer Playgroup on July 26

Come join Lucas DD staff for a fun summer playgroup! Open to all families and their children, not just those served by the Board. We will be meeting at the Glass City Metropark from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 26! No registration is required. If you have a Developmental Specialist, contact them for updates to the playgroup. Click here for additional information about Lucas DD summer playgroups.

Technology for Independence Open House on July 26

The Wood County Board of DD invites you to a TwinTech 2.0 Open House. You can tour the TwinTech 2.0 home, which features assistive technology and remote supports. These technologies allow individuals with I/DD to live safely and independently. A shuttle will take participants back and forth to the home, as there is NO onsite parking at the home. The first shuttle will leave on July 26 at 11 a.m. from the Wood County Board of DD and the last shuttle will leave at 6 p.m. from Building C. Light refreshments will be provided! Click here for more information, call 419.352.5115 or email remotesupport@woodcountydd.org.

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.

Sibling Strong Meetup by Ohio SIBS on July 27

This is a virtual program from 7 - 8:15 p.m. on July 27 for adult siblings of people with disabilities. During this session, the meaning of resilience will be unraveled, and the term will be explored in a way that helps honor the resilience of all of our family members, as well as deepen the capacity to grow resilience from within. Click here for full details. Click here for free tickets.

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. This FREE dance party is for anyone 18 and older. Registration is required. For more and info and to register, click here.

Lucas DD Offers a Free Category One Certification Course

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is proud to once again offer a free DODD Category ONE Certification Course Delegated Nursing to area Providers and their Direct Care staff. The 2-day trainings will be at our Larc Lane Training Center in South Toledo. To achieve certification, you must attend both days of the 2-day trainings. Only 9 trainings remain through the end of 2023, so click here to see dates and sign up. Questions? Email Lucas DD Nursing Supervisor Amy Annarino at aannarino@lucasdd.org.

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 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.

Administration for Community Living Resource

The Administration for Community Living was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided primarily by networks of community-based organizations, and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans. Click here to learn more.

Application Deadline Nearing for Lucas DD Adult Day Program Grants

Deadline for this round is in ten days - 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!

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. 

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? Email DDCInfo@dodd.ohio.gov or visit 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!

Video of the Week

If you follow our Facebook page you may have seen that we had a fabulous turnout for our SALUTE Storytellers event last weekend. Click below and check out the highlights (including a cool time-lapse video of the entire event) from that awesome afternoon.