Cops & Conversation Oct. 16

Please join SALUTE (Lucas DD's self-advocacy group) for an opportunity for law enforcement and people with developmental disabilities to get to know one another and ask questions. This is a hybrid session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. Contact Deetra Kelly with any questions.

Wealth & Wisdom Oct. 16

You can attend this session from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 in person (or virtually, from 6 - 7:30 p.m.). Free meal offered if you register to attend in-person. 5:30 is the meal, followed by the session starting at approximately 6. October's topic is Money Mapping: A New Way to Budget. The session will include identifying needs v. wants, understanding income v. expenses, understanding negative and positive cash flow, and creating a personal Money Map. Special guests from 5/3 Bank will be presenting along with County Board staff.

Family Ties Oct. 17

Lucas DD has a new Parent Connection Group in 2024 called Family Ties! The mission of this group is to help families make connections and build a network that they can lean on for support. The next meeting is 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. Light snacks will be served. Margaret Zotkiewicz will be available if you'd like to ask any questions about SSI. We hope to see you there! Please email familyties@lucasdd.org if you have questions, or if you need to bring your child(ren) with you.

Goodwill Donation Drive Oct. 20-21

Time to clean out your closets and head to Goodwill! Any donation made at any NW Ohio Goodwill that mentions Lucas DD during October 20-21 will result in a voucher for one of our individuals to use at Goodwill! 

Halloween Happenings!

It’s a nearly month-long Halloween celebration throughout our area. To learn more about the inclusive events featured below, just click on the picture, if you dare!

Next Best Buddies Meetup Scheduled

The first Best Buddies meeting last week was a huge success! A large number of University of Toledo students attended, so registration has been extended if more individuals would like to join. Click here to register (ages 18+) so you can attend the next meetup from 4 - 6 p.m. on Oct. 18, when they'll have the opportunity to participate in go-carting! Email Deetra Kelly if you have any questions.

Special Olympics Winter Sports Registration for Adults is Open!

Fall has just started, but it's time to sign up for Lucas County Lightning's winter sports (adults only at this time)! Our coaches and volunteers need time to get everything set for another awesome season. We will be offering Basketball, Swimming, and Pep Squad/Competitive Cheer. You can only choose one sport and must register by Oct. 18 to participate! Click here to read the full newsletter.

2nd Annual Snowy Social Registration is Open!

Lucas DD's Early Intervention department is having their second annual Snowy Social, a celebration of all things snowy and hands-on! This inclusive, family-friendly event is geared towards children 6 and under. It is free and open to the community! All abilities are welcome. Due to the amount of interest and the space available, this year there will be TWO sessions on December 10, from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Register for this event to reserve your spot and have a chance to win a Kroger gift card! (Participants can attend one or the other, not both.)

12th Annual Autism Walk Registration is Open

The Autism Walk is the premier autism awareness event in Northwest Ohio and the primary fundraiser for the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. The walk features family-friendly activities for children and access to local autism and other service-based organizations.

Every dollar raised at the event stays right here in the community to help the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio provide support, education, and advocacy to individuals, families, and professionals that work tirelessly to support individuals with autism. Their service area includes Lucas, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood counties. Day of registration and family-friendly activities begin at 9 a.m. The walk will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27.

DSAGT Buddy Walk on Sunday

The Toledo Buddy Walk is back for its 23rd year! This year is going to be bigger and better than ever, and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) can't wait to have you join them from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Owens Community College! This year's Buddy Walk will be a tailgate style, so bring your pop-up tents and chairs and they will provide the rest!

TOPSoccer on Sunday

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local U.S. Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs. The next free session is 2-3 p.m. on Oct. 6. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive. They have a new registration program. Click headline for details.

AccessTOL Airport Experience on Oct. 14

The AccessTOL Airport Experience Event provides individuals with an experience of traveling through an airport to identify potential challenges they may be encountered.

The next AccessTOL Airport Experience Event is at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 14. Deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 7.

Disability Connect on Oct. 16

Disability Connect is a gathering for DODD leaders to hear directly from the people they support about issues affecting their lives. It is also a chance to learn more about different projects at DODD and across Ohio government while also sharing accessible resources and making connections to help everyone live their good life. Disability Connect meets regularly throughout the year and is open to everyone. Meetings are held virtually using Zoom. The next one begins at 1 p.m. on October 16.

Disability Download: The Human Perspective Premiere on Oct. 17

Come see the premiere of this insightful film about fostering inclusion and understanding for people with disabilities! Free event from 5 - 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. Please request any accommodations asap. Click headline for details/RSVP.

Autism Social Event at Imagination Station on Oct. 20

Join Imagination Station for an Autism Family Support Group event, an inclusive social opportunity where individuals identified with ASD and their families can enjoy the science center and learn together. From 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 20, 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). 

People First Halloween Party Oct. 25

People First of Toledo is having their annual Halloween Party from 6 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Courageous Acres. There will be snacks, games, music, a costume contest, and more! Remember to RSVP if you plan on attending.

Sibshops on Oct. 26

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 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 26 at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here.

Manahan Halloween Dance Oct. 26

Manahan is hosting a Halloween party from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 26. Must RSVP by Oct 18 and the cost is $10 per individual (staff are free).

Special Holiday Wants

Special Wants Inc. is a 501c3 organization with a mission to deliver sensory items, gifts and a sense of community to families in the U.S.A. who are caring for loved ones with special needs during the holiday season and throughout the year. This wish list event is open to families who would not be able to provide holiday gifts to their loved ones who have financial constraints, lack family connections and want to exchange gifts with others in this special community, live in the USA, has Special Needs (no age limit for the individual), and/or is a Sibling to Special Needs loved one (17 years or younger only). Wishing is open now through October 13.

Jiselle Lauren Foundation

The Jiselle Lauren Foundation exists to provide financial support and a sense of community to as many children and their families as possible, regardless of disability or diagnosis. Through generous donations and giving efforts, they are able to provide financial support to children and their families that allows them access to therapies, medical care, devices, equipment, transportation, and many other resources. They are accepting applications for grants now through October 31.

Halloween Communication Board

Download and use a communication board during trick-or-treating events or at fall parties! Additional helpful DODD communication boards here.

Fall 2024 Grants List

Looking for grants to help out with some costs? Click on the headline to find an extensive list of various opportunities to apply for grants. Reach out to Lucas DD's Tammy Eisenreich if you would like assistance with applications.

Grants Available for Lucas County Businesses!

Lucas DD is offering grants of up to $20,000 to help local businesses create more inclusive restrooms! Adult Changing Table Grants were established to award Lucas County businesses/agencies the opportunity to develop inclusive spaces with the ability to install or modify changing tables in restrooms for all individuals. Application deadline is Oct. 31. Click the link above to learn more and apply! 

Adult Day Grants Application Deadline is Oct. 31

The third and final cycle of the 2024 Lucas DD Adult Day Grant application is underway! The goal of the grants, of up to $10,000, is to help fund technologies or programs that expand or enhance Adult Day or Employment services, promote community integration and community employment, and/or helps people achieve their goals related to Adult Day/Employment services & supports. 

Polling Place Accessibility Audit Toolkits Available

Despite federal laws that require polling places to be accessible; voters with disabilities continue to experience barriers on election day. In 2016, the Government Accountability Office found that 60 percent of polling places had at least one problem that made them inaccessible.

One way to improve election accessibility is to conduct accessibility audits of polling places in your community on election day. Accessibility audits can be a huge undertaking, which is why the National Polling Access Audit Coalition has created a toolkit to support your work.

Inclusive Haunted Trail Needs Volunteers

S.O.A.R., the Christ United Methodist Church of Oregon, and Friends of Maumee Bay State Park are working together on an Inclusive Haunted Trail fundraiser at Maumee Bay State Park. The event, 5:30-10 p.m. on Oct 11, and again on Oct.12, is aimed at bringing the community together to support individuals with disabilities and have a lot of fun. There will be a sensory-friendly trail from 6-7 p.m. on both days. The group is looking for clubs or organizations to adopt a section of the trail that they'd like to decorate as a scary scene. Prizes will be awarded for the top vote getters. Click on the link above for more info, or email jeanb@soarllc.org or call/text 419-461-7366.

Ohio Family Resource Network Survey

This survey will help the Ohio Family Resource Network better understand the experience of families and community partners as they connect with the Ohio Family Network organizations. Family Networks help connect families who have family members with disabilities, so they feel less isolated and better supported. They encourage families to have high expectations for their family members with disabilities and envision bright futures where they are active community members. They also work within local communities to help community resources better welcome and support all families.

Help Lucas County Commissioners Develop a Strategic Plan

The Board of Lucas County Commissioners is developing a strategic plan to help guide how they provide services to Lucas County residents. Let your voice be heard! Help them map out the future of public service by completing a confidential survey that will shape priorities, investments, and projects. This is your chance to help lay out an inclusive Lucas County that works for you and your family. Take the survey today!

Cerebral Palsy Family Network Seeks Heroes of the Day

Want to see YOUR Cerebral Palsy Hero in one of their feature social media posts? Every day people are inspired by the strength, determination, and love of CP heroes. Share their special story with the CPFN community! Send a photo, short bio, and why they're your #CPHero, and they could be featured as the Hero of the Day! Send info to families@cpfamilynetwork.org. They do not sell, trade, or share your information with any third party.

Participants Needed for OSU Remote Support Survey

When someone uses technology to support a person from a distance, we call that remote support. Are you using Remote Support Services and have you used it for at least 1 year? If so, you may qualify to participate in a study and be compensated for it. Click the link above for more information and help Ohio State researchers better understand the impact of remote support services.