Art on the Lawn Tonight

The Toledo Museum of Art will be hosting Ability Center for a FREE outdoor art experience on the lawn. From 6 - 8 p.m. tonight, children can see the sculpture garden, make a sculpture, draw, and paint. Come early if you want to eat dinner in the Art Museum Café (kid-friendly and veg-friendly options available). Suggested ages: families with children 12 and under. Click here to register. For questions, click here to email Jennifer Engelmann or call 419.885.5733.

Positively Portable Preschool tomorrow

The Ability Center is having a Positively Portable Preschool! Bring your youngsters to the East Toledo Family Center from 10 - 11 a.m. on August 26 for a fun, imaginative, engaging, learning, dancing, singing, moving and grooving time. Lead by Teacher Denice, a talented Early Childhood Teacher. Families and children of all abilities are welcome. Registration is not required. For questions, click here to email Jennifer Engelmann or call 419.885-5733. 

Shine a Light on Hate on Sunday

Organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio and working together with over a dozen community partners, Shine a Light on Hate: Creating a Compassionate Community is a response to the significant recent increase in violence, harassment, and intimidation against a variety of groups. The event on August 27 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. includes a keynote address, three rounds of breakout sessions offering multiple opportunities to learn about specific community issues, and a concluding panel. Click here for full details or click here to register for this FREE event.

Grant Workshop Wednesday on August 30

On August 30 at noon, Lucas DD Parent Support Staff Tammy Eisenreich will be talking with Michael Rychener from Sara's Garden about their amazing programs and how parent sponsorships have helped families obtain funding for such things as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. Click here for full details and zoom link.

Dave & Buster's Night on August 30

The Ability Center is hosting an exciting game night for teens (ages 13 - 17 years old) on August 30 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Dave and Buster’s. There will be food, video games, and friends! You will receive $10 in power cards and unlimited video game play (on non-redemption games only). Register by clicking here and paying the $5 program fee. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. 

Lucas DD Summer Rec Jam is Wednesday!

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. Concessions will be available at a reduced price (no outside food allowed). Registration is required. For more and info and to register, click here.

Lucas DD Fall Pool League Begins August 31

Get ready for the Lucas DD pool league! This awesome group meets on Thursday evenings, 6 - 8 p.m. from August 31 to November 9. No registration necessary, just come out for some fun! Click here for more details. Questions? Click here to email an organizer.

Never Give Up Documentary September 1-4

The Never Give Up Documentary is coming to the Maumee Indoor Theatre, September 1-4! This true story features how twenty-year-old Brad Minns does the impossible in the Men’s Singles Tennis Finals in the 1985 Deaf World Games. In a five-hour Match for the ages, Minns somehow comes back from match point in the third set to winning the Gold medal in the fifth set. Click here to learn more about the story. Click here to see the Maumee Indoor Theatre website for show times.

NAMI Community Garden Program September 1

Grab your green thumbs, long sleeves, and sunscreen! Learn with NAMI how to grow your own food at have some outdoor fun. They will be at the Community Garden (4747 Hill Ave) on September 1, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Gardening gloves and tools will be provided, but if you have your own feel free to bring them. Kids ages 6 and up are welcome, including parents. For questions and to RSVP, email atabb@namitoledo.org. Click here for more details.

Lucas DD Closed September 4

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

Fall Theatre Workshop Registration Open

The University of Toledo (Disability Studies and Theatre and Film) is collaborating with OpenSpot Theatre for a 6-week acting workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Work with UT students and trained facilitators to learn singing, dancing, and acting skills. The workshop ends with a performance that you will write and star in! The big showcase will take place on October 12. Classes run weekly on Thursdays from 5:40-6:40 p.m. at the UToledo Center for the Performing Arts starting September 7. To learn more and sign up, visit OpenSpot’s registration page. Please note there is a suggested class fee, but this is not required to participate.

Roll and Stroll on September 9

Please join Sunshine Communities for the 26th year of their annual Roll and Stroll! Everyone from the public is welcome to come and create community, as they support people with developmental disabilities, on their beautiful Maumee campus. This free, public, inclusive, family-friendly event is on September 9 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy activities like food trucks available for food purchases, music, kids' activities, a scavenger hunt on the boardwalk, and more! No registration required. For full details, click here.

Recovery is Beautiful Festival on September 9

Celebrate Recovery Month with Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County! They are having a Recovery is Beautiful festival, which is free and family-friendly, on September 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.! You'll find face painting, bouncy houses, snacks, music, games and more! No registration required. Click here for full details.

Play Group and Parent Talk on September 15

Weather permitting, from 10 - 11 a.m. on September 15, the Ability Center is having this event at the Inclusive Playground Perrysburg Rotary Community Park. Rain/bad weather location is the Heatherdowns Library. Ideal for families with children 6 and under. Everyone is welcome to this accessible and sensory-friendly experience. Call Jennifer at 419-855-5733, jengelmann@abilitycenter.org if you have any questions or concerns. Click here to sign up.

Glass City Glow-Tacular on September 16

Light up the night with glow skating, rock climbing, mountain biking, paddling and more at this family-friendly event at Glass City Metropark from 7 - 11 p.m. on September 16. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to 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 quiet and low sensory zone will be available at the Glass City Pavilion. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion - regardless of ability. Registration not required. For more details, click here.

Lucas DD Fall Festival on September 17

Lucas DD is having a Fall Festival on Sunday, September 17 from noon - 4 p.m. This is an event you don't want to miss! At this fun, family-friendly, inclusive event there will be a community art project, a kickball tournament, Elsa & Batman appearances, a DJ, food trucks, sensory activities, and more! Click here to see additional details.

Parent Advocacy Training Series begins September 19

Mercy Health is offering a Parent Advocacy Training Series on Tuesdays between September 19-October 24. Sessions run from either 9-11 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. Participation is free and space is limited. Registration is open now! Please contact Tammy at 419-251-2469 or tamara_mckittrick@mercy.com to register. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Common Ground Social Group on September 19

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The two meetings were a wonderful success! The last gathering for this session is at our Larc Lane campus on September 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned as additional dates will be announced. If you are interested in joining this group, please click here to sign up today! (If you previously registered, there is no need to re-register.) Questions? Contact your SSA or click here to email Deb Tyree.

Wealth and Wisdom class on September 20

September's Wealth & Wisdom topic is: Social Security Disability Insurance: The Basics and More. This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. Class will be held in person at 1154 Larc Lane, in the Multi-Purpose Room, and includes a free meal (if desired)! Remote option is also available, if preferred. Print materials will be provided. Click here to reserve your spot.

Phoenix Residential Talent Show September 26

The "Keepin' It Real" talent show is back! This talent show is not just for Phoenix Residential clients. Practices take place on Thursdays at the Phoenix Residential office from 6p-8p. Click here to purchase tickets online. Tickets are $5 but the first 200 sold are $3. Click here for full details.

SAVE THE DATE!

Lucas DD is having a Transition Summit on November 8! Stay tuned if you are curious about the transition process and/or are around the transition age (16-20 years old). Click here for more details.

International Literacy Day September 8

This September 8 is International Literacy Day. Please consider doing something a little extra next month to celebrate the importance of literacy. The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) has a number of free literacy resources relevant to Early Intervention. This includes books featuring deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired characters and topics, children’s books about autism, and the OCALI lending library. And there's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio for children 5 and younger. Click here to enroll.

Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment Educational Savings Program

The ACE application window for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program provides qualifying families with a $1,000 credit per child. These funds can be used to pay for a variety of educational activities designed to help accelerate learning for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stipends are available for all students in Ohio ages 6-18, whose family makes at or lower than 300% of the poverty level. Click here to learn more or apply.

Think College: A post-HS graduation option

What if every young adult with intellectual disabilities saw college as an option? The “Think Higher. Think College.” campaign is designed to build awareness and expand access to college for students with intellectual disabilities. The goals are to increase knowledge of inclusive college options (and there are options in Northwest Ohio!), share information about the benefits and outcomes of students with intellectual disabilities attending college, and offer people ways to spread the message: “Think Higher. Think College.”. Click here to learn more.

Free Computer Classes at the Toledo Library

Trying to be more computer savvy? Take self-guided technology classes through the Toledo Library! From computer basics to software skills, Northstar's classes can help you become more proficient with everyday technology. It's all free. Click here to get started.

DREAM Disability Media Project

The Ability Center, along with the Williams and Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries, present DREAM (Disability Representation, Education, and Awareness in Media), which is a disability media project designed to ensure children’s books created by, for, and about people with disabilities are available and easy to find at schools, libraries, and community spaces. The goal of the DREAM school program is to continue fostering inclusion and normalizing disability. Celebrate creativity, diversity, and inclusion through books. Click here to download a (free) lesson and view the list of books.

Free Micro-course on Compassion

CompassionateUSA offers a FREE online, self-guided micro-course that guides you through skills so you can become more compassionate to yourself and others, and nurture deeper connections and compassion in your community. Modules cover a variety of learning activities such as short reading assignments, video content, interactive elements, and reflective writing. Learners can explore and complete the course at their own pace. Those who complete all modules will earn a digital badge issued by Credly. The badge is a digital credential that affirms your Compassion skills and competencies, which you can share on your social media accounts (such as LinkedIn), professional networks, or resume. Click here to sign up.

State of the Art Leadership Conference seeks Nominations

Know someone making an impact in the field of inclusive higher education? Nominate them for a State of the Art Leadership Award! These annual awards recognize self-advocates, early career scholars, IPSE program administrators, and anyone else who has led local and national charges to expand access and opportunity for students with intellectual disability. Nominations are due by September 1. Learn more about the awards and get the nomination form by clicking here.

Share your Story with Sunflower Conversations

While it's easy to feel that your story can't possibly make a meaningful difference, the truth is that it can influence individuals and the wider community. Whether you or someone you care about has a disability (invisible or not), you can empower others and encourage people to support them by sharing your experience. Check out the Sunflower Conversations, and if they impact you, share them with your friends and family. If you want to share your experience, click here to send an email.

People First of Toledo seeks volunteers

People First of Toledo is proud to be working hand-in-hand with local organizations (Toledo Humane Society and Family House) to make our community better. Email Quinn Thomas to learn more about volunteering at the next volunteer day.

Amtrak seeks input on new train designs

Amtrak is seeking approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make their new, intercity trains more accessible than current ADA regulations mandate.  As part of the approval process, Amtrak is seeking public comments about accessible train travel. Read the full design standards first or go to their comment form and let the Federal Railroad Administration know how more-accessible train travel would benefit you. Comments must be entered by September 5.

Partners for Inclusion Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

From now through September 25, 2023, 50% of your order will be donated back to Maumee Valley Partners for Inclusion when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself or even gift them to friends and family. Click here to get your doughnuts!

Comments Requested regarding the Standards for Accessible MDE

The U.S. Access Board has extended its notice of proposed rulemaking on standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE), addressing one provision on the low transfer surface height for certain types of MDE. Public comments are now due by 8/31. Learn more at the Federal Register or view the proposed rule here.

Walk to End Alzheimer's Needs Volunteers

Can you spare some time to help the Walk to End Alzheimer's at Promenade Park in Toledo on October 14th is a success? Several positions need to be filled, from set up to cheering to tear down. Click here to learn more about volunteering positions.