Friday Update: April 26, 2024

Help Shape the Future of Lucas DD!

Lucas DD is asking customers, partners, and stakeholders in the community — individuals served, families, providers, school districts, community partners, any Lucas County taxpayer — to provide us feedback about the Board. If you have already taken the survey, thank you for your input. If you have not, please take a few minutes to answer 5 simple questions that will be used to support the development of our new Strategic Plan. Your responses will be anonymous. The survey will close May 15, 2024. 

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.

Goodwill Donation Drive to benefit Lucas DD FAN Network

Time to clean out your closets! This Sunday and Monday (April 28-29), drop off gently used items to any Toledo-area Goodwill store or donation station and mention it's on behalf of Lucas DD and its FAN Network. For each donation, Goodwill will givie a $25 voucher to individuals served by the Board in need of clothing and household items.

SALUTE Monthly Meeting on May 13

The Lucas DD SALUTE self-advocacy group, will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 13 inside the Larc Lane Training Center on our South Toledo campus. May's featured speaker is Erica Harris from the University of Cincinnati  Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She will be talking about preparedness during emergencies and disasters.

TARTA Opens the Youth Blast Pass for Summer 2024

The Youth Summer Blast Pass is intended to help youth aged from 6-19 find independence and allow them to learn how to travel throughout their city. The YSBP is good for unlimited rides on TARTA services from June 1 - August 31 – including fixed route buses, TARTA Flex microtransit and TARPS paratransit – during the summer months. TARTA has both digital and physical passes available for use.

Early Intervention announces dates for Summer Playgroups

The Lucas DD Early Intervention team has opened pre-registration for their Summer Playgroup series. The dates are June 5 at the Toledo Botanical Gardens, June 24 at the Zoo, July 10 at Side Cut Metropark, July 31 at Glass City Metropark, and August 12 at Sylvania Playland. Playgroups are ideal for those up to 6 years old, but ALL ages and abilities are welcome to attend. Those who pre-register and check-in with staff upon arrival will be entered to win fun prizes.

Options for Tomorrow Registration Open

Did you know that Lucas DD has a program directly addressing future care planning for families and individuals with disabilities? It is called Options for Tomorrow. Register for this free presentation to be proactive in planning for emergencies and future care for loved ones with special needs. Get priceless peace of mind that your loved one will be cared for according to your standards. You can select from two presentation times, May 20, 9:30 - 11 a.m.: Click here to register, or May 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m.: Click here to register.

Spectrum Sailing Registration is Open

Join Spectrum Sailing for a FREE 3-day sailing camp, June 11-13! 20 autistic children (ages 10-17 years old) will have the opportunity to attend and learn how to sail. These camps provide opportunities for skill development, social interaction, and confidence building. Sailors will learn knots, parts of the boat, why the boat sails, and most importantly, how to sail! Space is limited and registration is required.

10th Annual CommUNITY Film Fest Accepting Entries

The deadline to submit your film to featured in the CommUNITY Film Fest is fast approaching! Entry deadline is May 31. Movies can be up to 5 minutes long and most individuals shoot films on their phone or tablet. The 10th annual CommUNITY Film Fest is scheduled for Aug. 18 at the Maumee Indoor Theater!

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 April 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo.

Glass City TOPSoccer on Sunday

Glass City TOPSoccer is an adaptive soccer program for athletes with special needs (all ages 5+). The next one is on Sunday from 2 - 3 p.m. This is a FREE program, but registration is required.

Dementia-friendly Movie Matinee on Sunday

Come to Calvary Church to watch "Singin' in the Rain," the classic movie musical, shown in a safe and supportive environment for persons living with dementia/brain changes, their caregivers, and anyone else who would like to partake in the fun! This FREE event from MemoryLane Care Services, which beings with a 2:30 p.m. check in on April 28, gives individuals a chance to let loose and have fun in an understanding and supportive environment.

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.

Dental Care for Children with Special Needs 

Grottoes International Humanitarian Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that brings “Special Smiles” to children with special needs by providing them much-needed dental care. The program helps cover the cost of dental treatment and anesthesia costs, whether done in a hospital setting or dental office. They do not cover the hospital costs.

Homeschooling Resource

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that makes homeschooling possible, even for those with special needs.

iCanConnect helps those with vision and/or hearing loss

iCanConnect provides free equipment and training for people with both significant hearing and vision loss who meet the program’s disability and income eligibility guidelines. iCanConnect is a national program with local contacts that helps people stay connected to friends, family and the world. People eligible for iCanConnect receive an assessment to identify solutions to support their distance communication goals. Then, participants are provided equipment and training that meets their needs. Examples include smartphones, tablets, computers, and braille devices.

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.

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. Deadline is May 13.

Help Celebrate Fathers Throughout Ohio

Celebrate dads with DODD this June by participating in a video celebration of the dad or father figure in your life! Join people with disabilities and family members throughout Ohio in submitting a 15-to-30-second video of you sharing about the dad in your family. Videos can be recorded with your phone and included in a compilation video to be released in June. Feel free to use any form of communication (Speech, ASL, communication devices, etc.) and share information about your dad. Deadline is May 31, 2024.

Survey for Caregivers in Ohio

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are looking for caregivers to take part in a voluntary study to understand their experiences as caregivers of individuals with disabilities in Ohio. Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey.