SALUTE Meeting Monday is CANCELED

SALUTE, the self-advocacy group for those served by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has CANCELED their meeting on Monday due to the 2024 Solar Eclipse! Please contact Deetra Kelly at dkelly@lucasdd.org if you have any questions.

Common Ground Social Group (18+) Tuesday

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 9 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at our Larc Lane campus (Training Room). Click here for full details. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Grant Workshop Wednesday$ on April 10

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, on April 10 at noon, Tammy Eisenreich will be talking with Stacey Creps, the Executive Director of the Special Horseman Connection, that provides grants to equestrians with disabilities to provide Hippotherapy, riding lessons, camps, and competitive horse showing. Click here to join this month's session!

Family Ties Support Group April 18

Lucas DD has a new Parent Support Group in 2024 called Family Ties! The next meeting is April 18 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Lucas DD. We are still asking for input from parents, guardians, and caregivers who are interested in attending. Family Ties will help families make connections build a network that they can lean on for support. Click here and take the survey to help determine the details about Family Ties. Light snacks will be served. If you cannot attend this meeting in person, click here to join via zoom. Please email familyties@lucasdd.org with any questions.

Wealth & Wisdom April 24

April's class is on April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the topic is: All about STABLE Accounts. Learn about how you can save money and build wealth without losing access to means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. See if you qualify for the $25 bonus being granted by the Treasurer's office this month! This free class is offered both in-person and virtually. In-person attendees are offered a free meal. Click here to pre-register!

Rec Jam on April 25

Join Lucas DD as we bring our Rec Jam indoors! This free event on April 25 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. is open to anyone 18+ and no registration is required. Concessions will be available for purchase! Questions? Email jautullo@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5124. Click here for more details.

Goodwill Donation Drive to benefit Lucas DD FAN Network

Time to clean out your closets! On April 28 or 29, drop off gently used items to any Toledo-area Goodwill store or donation station and mention its on behalf of Lucas DD and its FAN Network. For each donation, Goodwill is giving a voucher to individuals served by the Board in need of clothing and household items. Click here to learn more.

Lucas DD Offices Closing at 12:30 p.m. Monday

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is closed Monday, April 8, in observance of the total solar eclipse. While our offices are closed that afternoon, Lucas DD is still here to support you. For emergency assistance, or to report a MUI, please contact the On-Call Service & Support Specialist at 419-380-5100.

Special Recognition at March 2024 Board Meeting

At its March 2024 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities gave its Special Recognition to Hannah Lawrentz and the Special Olympics Ohio Young Athletes program, for collaborating with our Early Intervention team. It also recognized Elizabeth Waldron, Investigative Agent as the March Staff Person of the Month as well as Michelle Cope-Morris a retired Provider Support Specialist. Click here to read more and see photos.

Incentive to Open Stable Account in April

April is ABLE to Save Month, and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague is using the occasion to tout the life-changing benefits of opening and maintaining a STABLE account. ABLE to Save Month is a national campaign that shines a light on ABLE programs across the country and how they enhance financial independence for people living with disabilities. Beginning April 1, 2024, STABLE Account will match the first $25 that an eligible Ohioan contributes when opening a new account. This matched contribution will provide new STABLE accountholders with an instantaneous boost toward growing their money. Click here to learn more.   

Maumee Bay State Park offering inclusive solar eclipse experience

Millions will look to the sky on Monday afternoon to get a glimpse of the total solar eclipse. For those who are visually impaired, there are options to make the eclipse experience inclusive. The LightSound device converts light into audible tones that change based on light intensity. Also, an app called Eclipse Soundscapes may also be helpful for those who are visually impaired. The app uses vibrations to show the physical qualities of the eclipse. Click here to learn more.

Toledo is coming closer to being a Certified Autism Destination

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) became the first transit agency department in Ohio to become a Certified Autism Center. It's a part of a goal to make Toledo more autism friendly. TARTA is making sure all 275 staff undergo autism-specific courses to offer more accommodating services. Click here to read more.



Bowling Green Curling Club makes the ice inclusive to everyone

The Bowling Green Curling Club provides those with a variety of physical abilities to curl. They were privileged to have Team USA Wheelchair curler Laura Dwyer visit the club to educate on wheelchair inclusive practices. Click here to learn more.

The Ability Center Career & Resource Fair tomorrow

Come to the Ability Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 6 for a Career and Resource Fair. The goal of this event is to be all-inclusive of ages and abilities, meeting every person where they are in life – whether it's college exploration, gaining job experience, volunteering, and more! It is an opportunity to explore employment and volunteer opportunities, college information, accessibility services, and local support resources. Click here to reserve your spot.

Toledo TOPSoccer 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 at the Maumee Soccer Centre from 2 - 3 p.m. on April 7. Registration required. Click here for more information and to register. If you have any questions, please email toledotopsoccer@gmail.com.

'Un'Sunshine Solar Eclipse Watch Party April 8

Join Sunshine Communities from 1 - 4 p.m. on April 8th as they become “Un”Sunshine while celebrating a total solar eclipse. Take part in the “Un”Sunshine on their beautiful Maumee campus and enjoy the festivities. Food trucks, music, free eclipse sunglasses, science activities, games, and more! Click here to visit the event website.

Anticipating Possibility Webinar on April 11

Join the Family Resource Network (FRN) of Ohio for a 30-minute session on "Anticipating Possibility" scheduled for April 11 at 11:30 a.m. Discover the value of anticipatory guidance for all life stages! This virtual event is part of the FRN's "Lunch with LifeCourse," and will be hosted via Zoom. To reserve your free spot, please click here.

Game Night with People First on April 12

People First of Toledo is having a game night! They'll have board games, card games, yard games, air hockey, or bring your own favorite game to play that! Please RSVP to quinnt@ccsohio.org. Click here to see more details.

Epilepsy Scholarship Available

The 2024-2025 Epilepsy Foundation of Northwest Ohio Scholarship is available! Eligible applicants must be a college-bound high school senior or current college student residing in the Northwest Ohio area. Applicant must have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, be under a physician's care, and currently undergoing treatment and/or taking anticonvulsant medications. Applicants must demonstrate a struggle to overcome adversity because of their epilepsy or seizures. Click here to learn more or apply.

Blessings in Disguise

​Blessings in Disguise Inc. is a 100% volunteer based 501(c )(3) non- profit organization. Their mission is to bridge the gap in healthcare by providing free medical equipment to those in need, empowering them to maintain independence and well-being. Whether it's a senior seeking mobility aids, a veteran requiring specialized equipment, or an individual with disabilities facing financial barriers, they stand committed to delivering a helping hand. Click here to learn more.

Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation Grants & Scholarships

The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation’s (BRPF) goal is to find a cure for paralysis through funding the latest in medical research and to provide assistance to those that suffer from neurological disorders. Charitable grants are given out to individuals suffering from paralysis to live a more independent and fulfilling life. To apply please go to their Charitable Grant Application page. Scholarships are awarded to individuals suffering paralysis or a child of somebody that is for higher education. To apply, please go to their Scholarship Application page.

Flyin Ryan Foundation

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation exists to extend the impact of the life of Ryan Hawks, to help people create a strong sense of self by exploring their personal Core Values, and to inspire others to do the same. Do you have a dream, a goal or an adventure that you are passionate about? Do you need some help to accomplish it? Consider the Flyin Ryan Adventure Scholarship Program. Click here to learn more.

Health Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO)

HERO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose vision is to focus on practices that sustainably provide medical equipment and supplies to enhance the quality of life. They accomplish this by recycling through redistribution locally and globally, engaging in partnerships that support their efforts, and managing retail and resale operations. HERO has become an important resource particularly for seniors, disabled children and adults, individuals who are financially struggling, and people who are looking for a good deal for medical supplies. Click here to learn more..

Lucas DD Parent Support

To learn about additional grants and funding resources such as the ones above, please reach out to Tammy Eisenreich at teisenreich@lucasdd.org or 419-356-3824.

Help Shape the Future of Lucas DD!

As we begin to develop our new 3-year Strategic Plan, we are reaching out to key customers, partners and stakeholders to provide us with valuable information that will be used by our Strategic Planning Team to help shape the future of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. 

Please take a few minutes to answer these 5 quick questions, which you can access by clicking this link or scanning the QR code. Your responses will be completely anonymous.

Thank you in advance for providing us this critical information that will help shape the future of Lucas DD.

Local Podcast Seeks Individuals to Tell Their Stories

The podcast, Telling It Our Way, is looking for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share their stories about family, work, advocacy, and more. The podcast is part of WGTE's "Voices Around Us" Podcast Series. Recordings start soon! Please email Ally Day or Becca Monteleone if you are interested in learning more. Click here to listen to Season 1 episodes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation requests public comments

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department) is proposing to strengthen its rule implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to address the serious problems that individuals with disabilities using wheelchairs and scooters face when traveling by air that impact their safety and dignity, including mishandled wheelchairs and scooters and improper transfers to and from aircraft seats, aisle chairs, and personal wheelchairs. Click here to read more and/or submit your comments. Deadline is May 13.

Call for Artists! Disabled Women Make History (And Art)

Disability EmpowHer Network and the Toledo Museum of Art are proud to host “Disabled Women Make History (and Art)” a workshop and art show celebrating disabled women on June 15, 2024! Women with disabilities are invited to submit their art for consideration to be displayed as part of this unique event. We will select a total of 20 artists. Artists selected will be invited to display their work at this event and receive admission to two exclusive workshops to enhance their skills in marketing themselves and their artwork. Preference will be given to artists currently residing in Ohio, NE Indiana, and SE Michigan. Artists of all ages and skill levels and encouraged to apply. Deadline for submissions is April 14. Click here to learn more.