Lucas DD's Early Intervention department is having a Snowy Social, a celebration of all things snowy and winter! This inclusive, family-friendly event is from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 6 and will feature a variety of different activities and overall is geared towards young children. It is free and open to the community! All abilities are welcome. Click here for more details. Pre-register for this event for a chance to win a Kroger gift card! Click here to pre-register. 

Sibshops 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 is on Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here. For more information, click here.

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

Special Education Free Virtual 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 virtually 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. 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's Ohio State vs. Michigan Pep Rally on Nov. 21

Join us as we get ready for the biggest showdown in the biggest rivalry in college football. Ohio State. Michigan. Say no more. At 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21, all employees, providers, individuals, and families are encouraged to wear their Buckeyes or Wolverines gear and join us at the Training Center on our South Toledo campus. We'll also have music, food trucks, and more! Whether you're "O-H-I-O" or "Go Blue," we hope you'll join us and help spread the word for this fun event!

Free Art Workshop for Kids on Nov. 21

NAMI of Greater Toledo is offering a FREE art workshop just for kids/teens, from 5 - 6:15 p.m. on Nov. 21. 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. Limited space and registration is REQUIRED to attend. To register your child(ren), please click here to email Kristen Zientek.

Lucas County Special Olympics Apparel Sale Ends Nov. 21

Are you interested in expanding your wardrobe with some Lucas County Lightning gear? Or perhaps you would like to get something for someone special for the holidays? Click here to check out the sale going on now through November 21!

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.

Board Meeting on Nov. 27

The next monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is on Monday, Nov. 27 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.

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!

Dementia Friends on Nov. 28

Looking to become an Ohio Dementia Friend, Dementia Friends Champion, or simply need a refresher? Please join Dementia Friends for a free, virtual session with optional Dementia Friends Champions training on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Attendees interested in becoming a Dementia Friend will participate for the first 75 minutes. Attendees seeking to become a Dementia Friends Champion will participate for the entire 2.5 hours. Pre-registration is required, click here to pre-register. For more details, click here.

Autism Play and Support Group on Nov. 29

Avenues for Autism is having their Autism Play and Parent Support Group at Sylvania Playland from 6 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 29. 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.

Mom's Munch and Mingle on Nov. 30

Join the Ability Center for a casual meet up with other moms - eat, chat, and relax for a moment! Wear your best leggings or do your hair if you want - just come take a breath from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (or as long as you can get away) on Nov. 30. They encourage you to find a sitter for the littles so that you and others can have a kid-free lunch. If you'd like, make something special for yourself or a friend at our free gift making stations. Cost: $15 lunch, and gift making included. Limited space, registration required. Click here to register! For questions, contact Jennifer Engelmann, Youth Family Services Coordinator at jengelmann@abilitycenter.org or 419.885-5733. 

Assistive Technology to Empower Individuals with Special Needs Dec.4

Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West is sponsoring a FREE presentation for parents/professionals on Dec. 4, 6 - 7 p.m. Learn about innovative technology to create independence for students planning for postsecondary transition and beyond. Sections 5 & 7 of the IEP will be discussed as the fuel for planning a strong transition plan. Tips will also be discussed on how to incorporate assistive technology within the IEP. The presenters are occupational therapy practitioners at the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Lending programs and resources will be shared. Click here for full details. REGISTER HERE

Autism Support Group: Holiday Fun Dec. 7

Join AB Consulting for a tour of Owens Community College campus, decorating cookies, and the joyful sounds of the harp. This FREE Holiday Fun Autism Support Group is for ages 16+ and will take place at Owens Community College on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Click here to register!

Market & Merry Dec. 9

Bittersweet's third annual Market & Merry is on December 9 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This exclusive pop-up holiday shopping event takes place at the Market at Bittersweet Gardens. Shop local, give with purpose, and positively impact lives as you prepare for the holidays. In addition to shopping, this year’s event will include a hot cocoa bar, photos with Santa, holiday tours of the Bittersweet Barn, and live wreaths for sale! Click here to see the event on their website.



Free Art Workshop for Visually Impaired Youth on Dec. 9

Lighthouse Guild and The Metropolitan Museum of Art are offering FREE virtual art workshops for children (ages 5–12 years) and teens (ages 13–18 years) who are blind or visually impaired on Saturday, December 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Explore The Met Collection through detailed descriptions, learn innovative drawing techniques, and create your own work of art. All levels of experience welcome! What you’ll need: Zoom OR a phone to join via dial-in number; a flat surface for creating art such as a table, desk, floor, etc. Art supplies will be provided! Materials will be mailed to you prior to the workshop. Please register by Monday, November 27. Space is limited. Advanced registration is required to receive art supplies. Click here to register! Questions about the workshop or registration? Call 212-769-6344 or email feldsteinc@lighthouseguild.org. Full details here.

Finding Funds Resource

The iTaalk Autism Foundation maintains a database of more than 650 organizations that offer grants and funding. You can search the database for grants that pertain to a certain diagnosis, a particular therapy, a piece of equipment or even resources that are state-specific. For more information, reach out Tammy Eisenreich, Vice President of iTaalk and Parent Support for the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, via email at teisenreich@lucasdd.org or by phone at 419-356-3824. Access this database by clicking here.

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!

Assistive Access Simplifies Apple Devices for Older Adults

Apple launched its new mobile operating systems for iPhone and iPad last month – iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. A highly anticipated feature called Assistive Access greatly simplifies the iPhone and iPad home screens, and core apps like Phone, Camera, Photos, and others. Assistive Access could be a game-changer for older adults or persons with mild cognitive impairment using iPhones and iPads, enabling them to more easily use Apple devices. Click here to learn more.

Google Rolls Out Accessibility Enhancements

“Google is looking to make it easier for people with disabilities to interact with the world around them.” From Google Maps offering wheelchair-accessible routes to an option called Lens which is for people with vision impairments, there are some useful updates. Click here to read more.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments Needs Input

TMACOG is seeking public input as it updates its 'Moving Forward 2055" Regional Transportation Plan. The plan is an essential document that is federally required and incorporates all modes of transportation. Through extensive stakeholder outreach and public involvement, TMACOG and its members will attempt to identify future needs by looking at the current system, identifying new technology and trends, predicting future revenue, and identifying ways to make the transportation system more safe, efficient, accessible, and inclusive.

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.

An online survey offers anyone the chance to share their input. Complete the survey, which takes about 5 minutes, by November 30. Click here to take the survey. Please enter 2055 as the password.

Support Ending Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers!

The American Association of People with Disabilities is working to end the practice of paying subminimum wages to workers with disabilities. Many are being paid far below minimum wage, and it’s completely legal. Workers with disabilities deserve a fair wage, and they need your help to put an end to this unfair practice. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to pay disabled American workers subminimum wages. Section 14(c) leaves room for employers to engage in discriminatory practices which include segregating disabled employees, cutting them off from community settings, and limiting their ability to receive opportunities for career advancement or development. Research from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights shows that between 2017 and 2018, the average wage of a person with a disability working under a 14(c) certificate was $3.34 per hour, less than half of the federal minimum wage. Many workers with disabilities made even less. Click here to learn more and sign the petition.