Friday Update: October 20, 2023

Fall Walk for Autism tomorrow

The Autism Awareness Club at the University of Toledo is hosting a fall walk to benefit the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network! Enjoy face painting, pumpkin painting, and a costume contest for extra charge (without VIP admission). The event starts at 11 a.m. on October 21 at the Centennial Mall on the University of Toledo's campus. Basic admission is $5, VIP is $10. All proceeds go to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network. Click here for full details.

Trunk or Treat tomorrow

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.

Toledo TOPSoccer Kick or Treat 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 October 22 from 2 - 3 p.m. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

Lucas DD Board Meeting on Oct. 23

The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will take place on Monday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public at Lucas DD's Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. Click here to download the October meeting agenda.

Autism Night at Imagination Station on Oct. 24

Join Imagination Station for Autism Family Support Group Night from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on October 24, an inclusive evening where individuals identified with ASD and their families can enjoy the science center and learn together. Explore the exhibits, engage in hands-on activities and watch a sensory-friendly film in the KeyBank Discovery Theater. Admission is $5 (free for members). Advance registration required (even for members). Please register/purchase ticket(s) by clicking here.

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.

Lunch and Learn on Oct. 25

Join the Ability Center for a Lunch and Learn on Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to Noon! Bring more joy and deeper connection into your parenting journey. Penny Meeker from BeLove Parenting will guide you towards intentional choices for you and your child. Penny supports kids from birth through young adulthood. BeLove Parenting coaches families with and without disabilities. Remote option available. Click here to register.

Grant Workshop Wednesday on Oct. 25

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ is a monthly series of a live virtual conversation on resources to help find funding for children with developmental disabilities. This month's virtual meeting is on Oct. 25 at noon and the topic is: The Orange Effect. The Orange Effect is currently in its Giving Cycle, with a November 1st deadline to apply. Families should take a look at their website (www.theorangeeffect.org) if they need help with anything speech related. For more details, click here. This session is a great opportunity to ask any questions before submitting a grant application. Click here to join this month's session!

A Boo-Tiful Halloween on Oct. 27

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Greater Toledo invites you to enjoy an evening of office trick-or-treating, Halloween crafts, and resource vendors! Come to the NAMI office on October 27 from 3 - 6 p.m. Click here for full details. If you have any questions, please contact Sonya Quinn at 419-243-1119 ext 103 or squinn@namitoledo.org

Best Buddies Monthly Meetup on Oct. 27

Best Buddies is an international, volunteer organization that promotes leadership development and inclusive living for people with IDD by fostering one-to-one friendships between those with IDD and those without. Here in Toledo, Best Buddies is a partnership with University of Toledo students, allowing individuals to connect with non-disabled UT peers for social activities. The next gathering for individuals registered with Best Buddies is from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Urban Air! Free basic admission (includes trampolines), please bring extra money for snacks, drinks, go carts, etc. Must RSVP to Deetra Mitchell by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Click here for full details.

Trick or Trot Zombie Walk/Run on Oct. 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.

Positively Portable Preschool on Oct. 28

The Ability Center is having a Positively Portable Preschool! Bring your youngsters to the East Toledo Family Center from 10 - 11 a.m. on October 28 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 - caregiver must stay for event. For questions, click here to email Jennifer Engelmann or call 419.885-5733. 

Sibshops on Oct. 28

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. Participants enjoyed some awesome Halloween crafts and making friends last month! The next meeting is on October 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a trip to Trabbic Family Pumpkin Farm is planned (open to all family members to attend). There will be a hayride, popcorn, pumpkin, donut and a drink for all who register! (If there's bad weather, the meeting will be at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo.) Registration required. To register, click here. For more details, click here.

RallyCap Sports Halloween Party on Oct. 29 & Volleyball Registration

The BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports is having a Halloween party on October 29 from 3 - 4 p.m. Come in your costume or Halloween outfit to mingle with friends and have some FUN! Click here to sign up for this FREE event. RallyCap volleyball registration is also OPEN! Dates are November 5, 12, 19 from 3 - 4 p.m. Must register (use same link for Halloween party).

Autism Parent Support Group Nov. 2

Avenues for Autism is having a free virtual Autism Parent Support Group, presented by a Clinical Therapist. This zoom meeting will be on Nov. 2 from 7 - 8 p.m. Click here to register. 

Movie Night Nov. 3

G.O.A.L. is hosting a movie night on Nov. 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. Adults will be able to enjoy a movie night in with friends. Everyone will receive popcorn, drink, and a cookie. If you would like something else to eat or drink, please bring that with you. Cost is $5.00 per attendee. Click here to register! Contact for questions: A. Barrett Academy at 567-304-3428, alecia@abarrettacademy.org

Sensory Night at Urban Air on Nov. 6

Urban Air is transformed into a calmer atmosphere for those with special needs and sensory processing difficulty, their siblings, and caregivers, during their Sensory Friendly Play hours. From 4 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 6, there are no flashing lights, no music, and no whistles. These nights are the first Monday of the month (except January 2024). Click here for more details. Questions? Contact Melissa Huebner at melissa@urbanairtoledo.com.

Family & Advocate Forum Nov. 7

The Family & Advocate Forum is on Tuesday, November 7 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. This final forum of the year serves as a public hearing as we present our Annual Plan for 2024. After the presentation the audience will have an opportunity to provide feedback or comments. We'll also hear from SALUTE self-advocates as they review their accomplishments in 2023. Click here for full details.

Transition Summit on Nov. 8

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.

Maumee Valley Partners for Inclusion Fundraiser on Nov. 14

On Nov. 14, TGI Fridays is donating 15% of Dine-In, Takeout & Pick up orders to Maumee Valley Partners for Inclusion! Take a night off from cooking and support a great cause for individuals with developmental disabilities. TGIFridays accepts dine-in, takeout & pick-up orders made in-store or by phone that mention Maumee Valley Partners for Inclusion. You can RSVP & see all details here: https://grouprai.se/s264141

Wealth & Wisdom on Nov. 15

November's Wealth & Wisdom topic is: Social Security Work Incentives and Overpayments: A Deeper Dive. Learn what work incentives are and how Social Security applies them; get tips for communicating with Social Security; learn what causes overpayments and how to prevent them, and more! This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. Class will be held in person on November 15 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. Registration required! Click here to register.

Creating an Inclusive Halloween Experience

Halloween is around the corner which means Trick or Treat is taking place in communities around us. For kids with disabilities who may have limited diets, sensitivities, or G-tubes, how can we help them enjoy this holiday full of candy, costumes, and spooky decorations? Click here to read more.

Angelman Syndrome Foundation

The Angelman Syndrome Foundation Family Fund was created to provide financial assistance to families supporting individuals with Angelman syndrome. Family members can apply for funds that are needed to improve the quality of life for an individual with Angelman syndrome. The application to apply for funds is open now until October 14. Click here to learn more.

Parker's Purpose iPad Grant Application Open

Parker’s Purpose was founded in May 2008 as a result of people coming together to help out the Inks Family in their time of need. The hope of the foundation is to not only help people that are in need but to also foster as positive self-worth and self-esteem to the individuals giving. Parker's Purpose is currently accepting applications for iPads. Click here to submit an application for a grant. 

Transportation Survey seeks input

The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council Of Governments (TMACOG) is seeking public input as it updates its Regional Transportation Plan. TMACOG wants to hear from the public to gather information on people’s needs and how they think the regional transportation system should be developed over the next 30 years. Click here to learn more and start an online survey.

Video of the Week

A Perrysburg band member with a disability performs on the Yellow Jackets' drum line with help from a paraprofessional and a customized wheelchair. Click here to read more or watch the video.

Quote of the Week

"Once you carry your own water, you learn the value of every drop."