Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

Special Olympics Winter Sports Registration is OPEN!

Check your email - the Lucas County Lightning winter newsletter was sent out earlier this week. If you are interested in playing winter sports (swimming, basketball, pep squad or competitive cheer team), now is the time to register! Registration closes on October 10. Click here to see the newsletter online.

Little Lightning Golf Clinic Registration is OPEN!

Lucas County Special Olympics' Little Lighting program is offering free youth golf clinics! Three dates available (October 6, 20, November 3). Must register, space is limited. First come, first served. For individuals with special needs, ages 8 - 16 years old. (They do not have to be receiving services from Lucas DD to attend.) Clinics will take place from 5 - 6:30 p.m. at First Tee in Toledo. All equipment will be provided! Clinics are weather permitting; if there are any changes, you will be notified. Click here to reserve your spot.

Sibshops is tomorrow

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 Sunday

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.

Unlocking Communications for All Abilities on October 6

The Ability Center Presents: Communicating Without Barriers: Empowering ADA Compliance through Effective Communication. This is a hybrid ADA seminar from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on October 6. Discover how to enhance ADA compliance with impactful communication, featuring renowned speaker, Howard A. Rosenblum, and diverse insights from a local panel. CLE/CE Social credits available. Click here to register.

Fall Festival Special Needs Dance on Oct. 7

The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio and Maumee United Methodist Church invite individuals 16+ to dance the night away at the Fall Festival Special Needs Dance, from 6 - 8 p.m. on October 7! Caregivers are required to stay. RSVP to marthakreuz@aol.com with the number attending (including caregivers). For full details, click here.

Teen Game Night on Oct. 10

The Ability Center invites teens (13-17) to TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with tacos! Let’s get together from 6 - 8 p.m. on October 10 for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! We will be hosting trivia, playing video games, cards and board games. Free event, registration required. Click here to register. For questions, contact Laurie Kimura, Youth Employment/Recreation Coordinator, at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145.

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.

Workshop for Alternative Caregivers on Oct. 11

Neighborhood Health Association is hosting a support and resource workshop event titled Superheroes Need Support, Too: A Resource Workshop for Grandparents & Kinship Caregivers Raising Children from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 11. The goal of the workshop is to introduce and increase awareness of the resources and support available to grandparents and kinship caregivers while also supporting NHA’s mission to empower, educate, and support personal responsibility for one’s own health through our exceptional healthcare and social services. Grandparents and Kinship Caregivers truly are superheroes for providing children with a home, stability and ensuring their safety and well-being. Please Contact Monica Morales at 419-309-1312 with any questions. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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.

OpenSpot Theatre Performance on Oct. 12

The University of Toledo and OpenSpot Theatre Present: Real Magic, an original play created by actors with developmental disabilities. These individuals have been working together for several weeks to showcase their writing, singing, acting, and dancing skills. Come out from 6 - 6:30 p.m. on October 12 to support these awesome actors and enjoy the free show! Click here for more information.

LCCS Trunk or Treat on Oct. 14

Lucas County Children's Services is having their annual Trunk or Treat on October 14 from noon to 2 p.m. Community services information, mascots and costumed characters, and of course FREE CANDY! Click here for full details.

Super Saturday Dance on Oct. 14

The Super Saturday Dance at Five Lakes Church is a time for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy an evening of music, friends, and food. Whether you prefer to wear a tie, a dress, or your favorite jeans and T-shirt, come enjoy an optional Bible study at 6:15 and then a light dinner and dancing from 7 - 9 p.m. on October 14. Please register. Click here for more information.

Spooky Boardwalk on Oct. 15

Join Sunshine Communities at their annual Spooky Boardwalk event! This is a free, public event from 2 - 4 p.m. on October 15 that is great for the whole family. Come in your costume to their beautiful Maumee campus where over 50 vendors and community partners will be handing out candy. No registration needed. Click here to learn more.

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 15 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.

Free Art Workshop for kids/teens on Oct. 17

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE art workshop just for kids/teens on October 17 from 5 - 6:15 p.m. Creative Kids provides an opportunity for children/adolescents (6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills! It is held 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.

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 - deadline to register approaching

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!

Trunk or Treat on October 21

Come to Manahan for a free Trunk or Treat event from 1 - 3 p.m. on October 21! Decorate a trunk and Manahan will provide the treats! Or come as a treater and go from trunk to trunk, collecting candy from vehicle owners who have decorated their vehicles to serve as the backdrop for this inclusive, family-friendly event. Must register by October 18. Click here to register.

Young Adult Game Night on Oct. 24

The Ability Center invites young adults (ages 18-24) to TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with tacos! Let’s get together from 6 - 8 p.m. on October 24 for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! We will be hosting trivia, playing video games, cards and board games. Free event, registration required. Click here to register! For questions, contact Laurie Kimura, Youth Employment/Recreation Coordinator, at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145.

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.

Did you know?

You'll find even MORE events on our online calendar, as well as further details on these highlighted events.

Click here to view our calendar of ALL upcoming events!

Songs of Love

The Songs of Love Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides uplifting personalized songs for children and teens who are battling serious illnesses, physical disabilities and emotional trauma. Each song contains the child’s name and all of their favorite people, pets and favorite things in their lives. The songs are delivered loaded onto a Songs of Love custom USB drive with accompanying lyric booklet! To request a FREE “song of love” simply go to www.songsoflove.org/request. It’s super simple. Once you apply for a “song of love” then YOU can Play it Forward™!

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

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

With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Clearwater Council of Governments, of which Lucas DD is a member, wanted to highlight an inspirational individual with disabilities succeeding in the working world.

Click here to watch the video.

Quote of the Week

"Don't measure success by how high you climb, rather by how many people you bring with you."