Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

Free Sled Hockey on Saturday

Adaptive Sports Ohio is having a free sled hockey clinic from 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. on September 23. Come to the Toledo Ice House and have fun learning the basics of sled hockey with the Walleye Sled Hockey team! All equipment is provided. Open to any person, youth or adult, with a primary physical disability, NOT restricted to wheelchair users. FREE, but registration is required. Click here to register. Questions? Click here to email Alex Yoder.

Free Car Seat Checks on Saturday

The Toledo Lucas County Health Department is offering free car seat checks tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. They are available at Franklin Park Mall, along with other resources (like FREE books!) to make sure you have everything you need to keep your kids safe at home and on the road. Click here for more information.

Family Fun Day tomorrow

The Ability Center is having a Family Fun Day on September 23, from noon - 3 p.m. Experience a fun-filled afternoon with the whole family at this inclusive event. Bounce houses, bubbles, music, face painting, tree climbing, art activities, story time, snacks, a fire truck, and more will be at The Ability Center’s campus. Learn about their family services and network of support. Families with and without disabilities are encouraged to attend. Click here to RSVP.

Family Fall Outing on Sunday

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo's (DSAGT) Family Fall Outing is on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm. Registration and parking are FREE and DSAGT families will receive coupons for the day's festivities upon arrival. Don't miss out! Click here to register. 

Toledo TOPSoccer on Sunday

The Toledo TOPSoccer Program is a free program that offers soccer for anyone (ages 5+) facing special cognitive, physical and/or emotional challenges, including those who are blind, confined to a wheelchair, and those who have autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other conditions that impair mobility, strength, and/or comprehension. Come check it out on September 24 from 2 - 3 p.m. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

Lucas DD Monthly Board Meeting on Sep. 25

The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is on Monday, September 25 from 5:45 p.m. The meeting is at Lucas DD's Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. The public is welcome to attend this in-person only meeting.

Phoenix Residential Talent Show Sep. 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 Sep. 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.

Autism Play and Parent Support Group on Sep. 27

Avenues for Autism is having their Autism Play and Parent Support Group at Sylvania Playland on September 27 from 4 - 6 p.m. This is a space for children to explore and socialize in a supportive environment while parents connect. Cost is $5 per evening. Click here to register.

Lucas DD Fall Pool League on Thursdays

The Lucas DD fall pool league is going strong! This awesome group has grown to over 40 people and is now meeting in two groups on Thursday evenings, with the earlier group starting at 5:30 p.m. (and going to 7 p.m.) and the later group starting at 7 p.m. (and going to 8:30 p.m.), now through November 9. No registration necessary, just come out for some fun! Click here for more details. Questions about which group you're in? Click here to email an organizer.

Sibshops on Sep. 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 next meeting kicking off the fall season 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.

Buddy Walk on Oct. 1

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo's Buddy Walk is on Sunday, October 1 from noon - 4 p.m. The Toledo Buddy Walk is celebrating its 22nd year this year and will be held at Owens Community College. They are hoping to make this the biggest and best year yet! Click here to sign up your team today.

Disability Download by Dawn Bentley on Oct. 5

The Toledo Public Library is hosting Disability Download, a discussion focused on disability etiquette and visiting current best practices and guidelines to consider when interacting with people with disabilities. This includes a brief overview of the major disability laws and creating universally designed spaces, programs and services. This event, from 3 - 5 p.m. on October 5, is sponsored by The City of Toledo Human Relations Commission and is part of Better Toledo, a personal and professional development series to ensure “you will do better in Toledo.” For full details, click here. 

Lucas DD Flu Vaccine Clinic on Oct. 11

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, is offering a flu vaccine clinic. Vaccines will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O). Must register and bring forms. For full details and registration link, click here.

Common Ground on Oct. 12

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The fall session begins on October 12 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus. If you are interested in registering for the fall session, please click here to sign up! Questions? Contact your SSA or click here to email Deb Tyree.

Fall Fun & Games on Oct. 15

Join Avenues for Autism at their Fall Fun & Games event! There will be lots of fun at TolHouse on October 15th from 5 - 7 p.m. They hope you can join them to network and grow relationships. Tickets are $30 per adult; all proceeds benefit Avenues for Autism. Click here for more information or to register for this event. 

Wealth & Wisdom on Oct. 18

October's Wealth & Wisdom topic is: All about STABLE accounts. This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. Class will be held in person on October 18 from 5:30 7:30 p.m. 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 REGISTER!Questions? Click here to email the organizer.

Fall Dinner Dance on Oct. 20

Lucas DD's Community Inclusion Department invites you to a Dinner Dance on Friday, October 20 from 6 - 9 p.m.! Cost is $28.52, EVERYONE must register by OCTOBER 6 (including staff). There will be a photobooth and a prize for the best costume! See the event flyer and full details here. Click here to register!

Lucas DD Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25

Lucas DD is holding the second annual Trunk or Treat on October 25 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This FREE event is open to the community. All abilities welcome. If you love candy and costumes, you'll want to be there! There will be a food truck, dance performances, a trunk contest to see whose trunk is decorated the best, and more! Click here for full details.

Trick or Trot Zombie Walk/Run on October 28

On October 28 at 9 a.m. there is a Trick or Trot 5K to benefit the Miracle League. This Trick or Trot 5k run and Zombie Walk is a fun way to show support for our local Miracle League. Registration is $25. The race will take place at Oak Openings Metro Park. Click here to register online now through 10/13/2023.

SAVE THE DATES!

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). Pre-register for a chance to win one of five prizes! Click here for more details.

The leaves may just be starting to turn color, but Lucas DD's Early Intervention department is proud to announce their Snowy Social, a celebration of all things snowy and winter! This inclusive, free, family-friendly event is geared towards young children. It will be on December 6 and is open to the community! All who pre-register will be entered to win a Kroger gift card! Click here to learn more.

Parent Advocacy Connection

The Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC) Program is a NAMI Ohio grassroots program that offers trained Parent Advocates with lived experience who reflect the cultural and ethnic make-up of the families they serve. When children require services from multiple sources (i.e., mental health, schools, juvenile courts, developmental disabilities, and alcohol/drug addiction services agencies), it can be difficult for parents to navigate their way through these various service systems. Families may become overwhelmed and have difficulty expressing their concerns and the needs of their child(ren). Ohio’s service coordination process recognizes this challenge and has made support for families available through the Parent Advocacy Connection. The mission of the PAC Program is to empower, educate, encourage, and equip families to partner with professionals in promoting access to services that are family-centered, community-based, comprehensive, and culturally competent. To learn more about what Parent Advocates can do for you, click here.

Know your rights during times of disasters

The rights of people with disabilities do not disappear in times of crisis.  While disasters, emergencies, and other crisis scenarios often require difficult decisions, prioritizing and sacrifices, the rights and lives of disabled people should not to be one of them.

For information on your rights in a disaster, please reference both sections below, which outline the rights of people with disabilities on a national and global level. Click here to learn more. 

Free covid tests from the government

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Click here to learn more. Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

Do you have eyeglasses, sunglasses or hearing aids that you don't use?

The Maumee Senior Center is now a site to drop off used eyeglasses and hearing aids gathered by the Lions Club. Drop off at 2430 S. Detroit Ave, Maumee, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday.

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.

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.

Video of the Week

This week we had a cookout/celebration for our Lucas County Special Olympics athletes and coaches and all their accomplishments this past year. Click here to watch the slideshow that was presented.