Friday Update: November 3, 2023

Updates from Lucas DD's October Board Meeting

At its monthly Board of Directors meeting last week, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities recognized the retirement of longtime Provider Supports specialist George Woodget, gave a Special Recognition Award to MemoryLane Care Services, and honored Service & Support Specialist Emmett Campos as the Staff Person of the Month. Click here to read more and see photos of the evening.

Movie Night tonight

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 per attendee. Click here to register! Contact for questions: A. Barrett Academy at 567-304-3428, alecia@abarrettacademy.org

Carpe Diem Epilepsy Walk-Run on Sunday

This is a 5k run and an 3k walk to benefit the Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio. Run participants will get a t-shirt, chip, and bracelet. The RUN starts at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 and the WALK will start at 9:00 a.m. Well behaved, vaccinated, leashed dogs may attend. Responsibility for the animal and its behavior is on the owners. Click here to register for the RUN. Click here to register for the WALK.

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 November 5 from 2 - 3 p.m. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register.

RallyCap Sports Volleyball Starts Sunday

The BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports begins their inclusive volleyball program on Sunday! Dates for volleyball alongside BGSU students are November 5, 12, and 19 from 3 - 4 p.m. Click here to register.

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  and People First of Toledo as they review their accomplishments in 2023. Click here for full details.

World Institute on Disability Virtual Celebration on Nov. 7

World Institute on Disability (WID) is excited that actress, author and singer, Ali Stroker will be performing at their virtual 40th-anniversary celebration on November 7 at noon! Ali portrayed WID’s late co-founder, Judy Heumann in Comedy Central's Drunk History. She made history as the first wheelchair-user actor to appear on Broadway and has starred in a number of television shows such as Glee, Netflix’s Ozark, Fox’s Lethal Weapon and many more. Click here to register for WID’s 40th-anniversary celebration so you don’t miss Ali’s performance.

Cardio Drumming Class with DSAGT begins Nov. 7

Join the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) for a 6-week cardio drumming program that goes beyond your weekly workout. Program beings on Nov. 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and runs for 6 weeks. Participants can expect to make meaningful connections with peers, engage in a whole-body sensory experience, and jam out to their favorite music! All drummers with Down Syndrome are welcome to join regardless of experience. Program is recommended for participants 12 years and older. Click here for full details and to register!

Sensory Friendly Shopping at Target on Nov. 8

Bittersweet’s annual Sensory Friendly Holiday Shopping event at Target will be on Wednesday, November 8 from 7 - 8 a.m. This event is free and open to the local autism community, as well as anyone with sensory processing challenges. Click here to see the flyer with additional details.

Transition Summit on Nov. 8

Lucas DD is having a Transition Summit on November 8! If you are curious about the transition process, what options are available after high school, and/or are around the transition age (16-20 years old), this is the event for you. Pre-register for a chance to win one of five prizes! See the graphic above or click here for more details.

Common Ground Nov. 9

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The next session is on Nov. 9 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.

Autism Information Session on Nov. 9

Toledo Public Schools is hosting a virtual information session on Nov. 9 from 7 - 8 p.m. with Kate Schwartz, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. Discover the latest resources, find out ways to connect in the community, build your knowledge base, and more! Please click here to register or contact Monica McCain at 419-671-0819 or mmccain@tps.org

SALUTE Monthly Meeting Nov. 13

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, will have its monthly meeting on Nov. 13 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. You can attend in person or via Zoom. November's Guest Speaker is Roshonda Woodley, M.A. who will present “Social and Sexual Self-Advocacy.” Free, open to the public, and hybrid. In-person Location: Lucas County Board of DD, 1155 Larc Lane, in the Training Center (use Door O), Toledo, 43614. Refreshments provided! Click here to join on Zoom. Any questions, please contact Deetra Mitchell.

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

Game Night for Teens on Nov. 14

Join The Ability Center from 6 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 for a fun-filled Trivia and Game Night with pizza on the side! Individuals ages 13-17 are invited to come out to enjoy a fantastic evening of laughter, delicious food, and a variety of exciting games, including trivia, video games, and board games. Click here to reserve your spot!

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ on Nov. 15

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 Nov. 15 at noon and the Board's parent partner, Tammy Eisenreich, will be chatting with John Beltzer from the Songs of Love Foundation. This national nonprofit organization creates free, personalized, original songs to uplift children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical, or emotional challenges. Click here to join this month's session!

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.

People First of Toledo Meeting on Nov. 16

People First of Toledo, affiliated with Courageous Community Services and People First of Ohio, invite you to a Self-Led Disability Advocacy Group on Nov. 16 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Engage with your community, learn self-advocacy skills, meet other people like you! Meetings are $5 (or $50 for 12 months) and open to everyone. Click here for full details. Questions? Please contact Quinn Thomas. Zoom option available! Click here to connect via Zoom.

Special Education Free Legal Clinic on Nov. 20

The Special Education Legal Clinic (a collaboration between Disability Rights Ohio, the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children With Disabilities, and AW Law) offers parents and guardians an opportunity to meet with a special education advocate or attorney in an open and welcoming environment to ask questions and discuss specific challenges related to education. Clinic staff members and volunteers will help guide parents and guardians through the special education process and provide resources to request and secure special education services. The Clinic includes a group workshop followed by a Q&A panel from special education professionals. Attendees participate virtually. Free 30-minute individual guidance sessions with attorneys are available for scheduling as well. The topic for Nov. 20 from noon - 1 p.m. is Preparing for Employment: Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Transition Age Youth. Click here to reserve your free spot.

Lucas DD Closed Nov. 23-24 for Thanksgiving Holiday

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Nov. 23-24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. On-call staff are available 24/7 on our Emergency/After Hours line at 419-380-5100.

Game Night for Young Adults on Nov. 28

Join The Ability Center from 6 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 for Trivia and Game Night with pizza! Young adults (18-24) are invited to have a blast with trivia, video games, cards, and board games! Click here to reserve your spot!

November Aging Gracefully Newsletter is out!

This month's Aging Gracefully Newsletter is now available. You'll find featured medical articles about dementia, some healthy aging and caregiving tips, activities for a healthy brain, and much more! Check out this helpful resource by clicking here.

DSAGT Adopt-a-Family Application Open

In 2022, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) started an Adopt-a-Family Holiday Program, and they were able to help 8 families during the holiday season. This year they hope to help even more! Whether you need a little help this time of year or have the means to provide assistance, you can participate in making the season a little brighter for everyone. DSAGT families in their service area who are requesting assistance for the 2023 season are welcome to apply by Nov. 12. Applications received after November 12th cannot be guaranteed. Click here for full details and the application.

HandiNocap Brings People Together Online

HandiNoCap is a private Facebook group where people can encourage and support each other. It was created by Abdul Allen, whose goal is to unite both abled and disabled people. The vision is for everyone to come together and understand one another to make the world a more comfortable place for all to roam. He would also like abled persons to gain insight and be more comfortable approaching those who are disabled. They have various meetups online throughout the week. Click here to join this community.

SARTAC Fellowship Application Window is Open

A Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) Fellowship is a one-year self-advocacy project. Fellows work on their projects for about 6 hours each week. SARTAC pays Fellows $5,000 to complete their projects. Six Fellows will be chosen this year. Learn more and apply here.

Letter from a Role Model

Disability EmpowHer Network connects girls with disabilities from across the country to receive a personalized letter from a positive disabled woman role model! They match girls with role models based on their backgrounds, interests, disabilities, and personalities! Do you know a girl who could use a letter? Tell them about her here! Are you a disabled woman interested in being a role model? Sign up here!