Family and Advocate Forum September 12

Join us for our quarterly meeting with individuals with I/DD, their families and advocates. The meeting is on Tuesday, September 12 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at our headquarters in South Toledo. The Family & Advocate Forum is a quarterly event hosted by the leadership of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. It provides an opportunity for individuals served by the Board and their families, advocates, providers, and anyone else who is interested in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, a chance to have a conversation about topics pertaining to the Board and the DD community. The guest speaker for the September meeting will be Alaina Bowers, External Affairs Manager for the office of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague. You can attend in person or online via forthcoming Zoom link, which will be posted here. Light breakfast will be provided!

Special Recognition at August Board Meeting

At its monthly meeting on Aug. 28, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities gave Special Recognition to a dance choreographer and a volunteer coordinator for a local nonprofit. The Board also recognized a service and support specialist, who went above and beyond the call of duty for an individual during the tornado that touched down in Point Place earlier this summer. Click here to read more and see photos.

Special Olympics Fall Sports Registration is NOW OPEN

Get ready for some fun with Lucas County Special Olympics! See the latest newsletter here. Registration for Flag Football, Walking Group, Healthy Athletes, and Powerlifting is open now until September 8. Click here to register! Please note, to participate in a sport, you must be at least 8 years old, reside in Lucas County, have a qualifying diagnosis and have a current Special Olympics medical form on file with our office. (You do not have to be receiving services from the Board.) Click here to download the New Athlete Packet for Special Olympics.

NAMI Community Garden Program tonight

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 on Monday

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed on 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.

Autism Parent Support Group on September 7

Avenues for Autism is having a free, virtual Autism Parent Support Group, presented by a Clinical Therapist, from 7 - 8 p.m. on September 7. This online support group is ideal for parents and caregivers who are looking for support or guidance as they raise a child with autism. Click here to register. 

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.

SALUTE Meeting September 11

SALUTE, Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, will have its monthly meeting from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on September 11. You can attend in person at our Larc Lane Center or via Zoom. Guest Speaker this month is James Kesler, Occupational Therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, who will bring a modified vehicle, used in driver’s training, with him for demonstration. Questions or want the Zoom link? Contact Deetra Mitchell at 419-380-5141 or dmitchell@lucasdd.org. Click here for full details.

Dad Support Group begins September 12

Do you desire to improve your relationships with your children, partners and family? Mercy Health is featuring a new, FREE 24/7 Dad group that will help you learn how self-awareness, self-care, and positive fathering skills can lead to better relationships and a healthier, happier life. Participants receive a $20 gift card for each session attended. Dinner and childcare provided. This is a six-week course that meets on Tuesdays from September 12 to October 17. Please park behind Fresh Wind Church and enter through the back door. Click here for full details. To register, contact Tammy McKittrick by emailing Tamara_McKittrick@mercy.com or calling 419.251.2469

Sled Hockey Webinar on September 13

Join Adaptive Sports of Ohio for their Rookie Series, a series of webinars each month where they will provide an introduction to one of their upcoming adaptive sport programs! Intro to Sled Hockey will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13. During this webinar, you'll get an overview of the sport, learn about Adaptive Sports Ohio's upcoming programs, and have a chance to ask questions to Adaptive Sports Ohio staff. Click here for more information.

Teen Game Night September 14

The Ability Center invites you to a TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with pizza! Gather together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! There will be trivia, video games, cards and board games. This FREE event is from 6 - 8 p.m. on September 14 and is just for teens, from 13-17 years old. Must register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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.

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.

Best Buddies Buddy Match Up on September 22

NOW is your chance to register for Best Buddies, which is an international, nonprofit program designed to empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society. The University of Toledo's Best Buddies chapter has monthly social events and more! Program is for individuals ages 18-30 years old. Buddies will be matched up on September 22 at 5:30 p.m. Click here for full details. Click here to register.

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.

Young Adult Game Night September 26

The Ability Center invites you to a TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with pizza! Get together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! There will be trivia, video games, cards and board games. This FREE event is from 6 - 8 p.m. on September 26 and is just for young adults, from 18-24 years old. Must register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Sibshops on September 30

Does your child with special needs have a sibling, aged 8-16 years old? This free group is just for them! Sibshops provide young brothers and sisters with peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting. The meeting is on September 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Lucas DD's second annual Trunk or Treat will be on October 25! If you love costumes and candy, you'll want to be there! Click here for full details.



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 this 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.

EmpowHer Expressions Fall 2023 Applications 

The Disability EmpowHer Network is excited to open applications for EmpowHer Expressions, our public speaking and career coaching program for disabled women to improve their public speaking skills and confidence in order to achieve career goals and succeed in the working world. EmpowHer Expressions is an 8-week virtual program with regular assignments, weekly 30 minute 1-on-1 mentor meetings, and virtual class periods every Monday 7 - 8:30pm EST starting Oct 23. Participants in EmpowHer Expressions learn about and practice important soft skills including perfecting elevator speeches, presenting to various stakeholders, answering and asking tough interview questions, and negotiating their salary and benefits. We also cover disability specific topics like disclosing disability at work and how to ask for reasonable accommodations. Applications close September 20th at 11:59pm EST. Click here to apply.

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.

Baby Talk for Children under 6 years old

Do you live in Lucas County and have a child under 6 years old? The YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral Baby Talk Program may be of interest. Baby Talk is currently accepting new families. Baby Talk offers monthly socialization days, which give families an opportunity to network with one another in a safe environment. There are many fun and engaging hand activities that help parents and children grow together, which aid in a child's development and with parenting skills. To register, click here. For additional questions, please contact 419-255-5519 extension 161 or email LMcCullers@ywcanwo.org.

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.

Chromosome Disorder Outreach Seeks Artwork for Calendar

CDO is ready to create the 2024 Calendar. They are looking for original works of art by CDO members. They love to see and try to include everything! Please send a jpeg or photo file to kelly.paulson@chromodisorder.org. Include the artist's first name and age when the piece was created. The deadline is Friday, September 15. Click here to see last year's calendar.

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.

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.