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Friday Update:

Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use

Lucas DD Closed on Thanksgiving

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29, in observance of Thanksgiving. While the offices are closed, 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. Also note, there will be no Friday Update next week.

 

Family & Advocate Forum Dec. 3

Join Lucas DD Superintendent Michele Myerholtz and other department directors for our quarterly Family & Advocate Forum. This meeting will serve as a public hearing for our 3-year strategic plan. Also, SALUTE will be presenting its year in review. Additionally, it is an opportunity to ask about anything on your mind regarding our services. The Lucas DD Family & Advocate Forum is open to individuals served, their families, providers, and any other advocates in the I/DD system to have conversations with Board leadership.

 

2nd Annual Snowy Social is Dec. 10!

The Lucas DD Children's Department is having its second annual Snowy Social! 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 Dec. 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.)

Solon charity makes toys accessible for children of all abilities

At a workshop space in Solon, Ohio, volunteers are busy transforming toys bought off the shelf into powerful playthings to make them accessible. Nonprofit RePlay for Kids adapts and modifies toys for children with disabilities, altering certain buttons and switches so that they can be used by everyone.

 

Rare Disease Day Materials Available

Rare Disease Day 2025 flyers and updated equity toolkits are now available. The flyers are available in multiple languages and include information about what Rare Disease Day is, why it is important and ways in which you can get involved. Click the headline for the materials, or here to watch the 1-minute launch video.

DSAGT First Steps Baby & Toddler Group is tomorrow

Join DSAGT’s First Steps baby and toddler meet-up at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 at Firefly Children's Dentistry! Visiting the dentist can be a little scary for little ones, especially those with Down syndrome. The goal is to offer parents an opportunity to ask the dentist questions and get tips on preparing for their child's dental visits and ways to keep their smiles healthy! Children will get a fun first exposure to the dentist office so when it comes time for that first appointment, it will be a little less scary.

 

Sibshops is 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 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here.

 

RallyCap Sports Winter Holiday Party is Sunday

Join BGSU's RallyCap Sports for their Winter Holiday Party from 3-4 p.m. on Nov. 24 in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Room 308 (third floor). This is their last event before winter break! Open to all past RallyPlayers and new friends who would like to check out the program. Click headline for RSVP link. They hope to see you there!



OSU vs UM Tailgate Party on Nov. 30

Connecting People & Places is kicking off their after-hours events with a OSU vs UM Football Tailgate Party. Wear your favorite team gear and come watch the game with your friends from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. There will be food, games and more. Cost is $25 per person (support staff may attend at no charge). Space is limited!

 

Empowering Parents Through Support on Dec. 3

Join the Autism Society of NW Ohio for a support group from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Dec. 3! Brittany Joseph, an Ohio Tech Ambassador, will be presenting on iPads, apps, and much more. This free event will not only have the educational component, but dinner, childcare, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Registration is highly encouraged, so they have enough food, staff, and goodies for everyone in attendance. Any questions please contact Tammy Eisenreich at teisenreich@lucasdd.org.

 

Week Without Driving Debrief on Dec. 4

The Week Without Driving challenge was created so that those who have the option to drive can learn firsthand about the barriers and challenges that nondrivers face. If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a third of people living in the United States – people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people who can’t afford cars or gas – this is their every day. The 2024 Week Without Driving took place September 30 - October 6, and you can participate in the debriefing about the challenge at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. Click headline for the registration link.

 

Jingle Bell Bash on Dec. 7

Join the Ability Center for a free, inclusive, and accessible holiday celebration for kids of all abilities, 10 a.m. to Noon on Dec. 7. Games, prizes, sensory-friendly Santa, cookie decorating, and more! Everyone is welcome to share in the joy, with activities designed for children of all abilities.

 

Super Saturday Dance Registration is Open

Five Lakes Church's Super Saturday Dance is for adults with special needs and their caregivers, who must be present. The dance is a time for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy an evening of music, friends, and food. Whether you prefer to wear a tie, a dress, or your favorite jeans and T-shirt, come enjoy an optional Bible study at 6:15 and then a light dinner and dancing from 7 - 9 p.m. on Dec. 14. Registration is now required!

Did you know?

 

You'll find even MORE events on our online calendar, as well as further details on these highlighted events.

 

Click here to view our calendar of ALL upcoming events!

Collaborating to Support Survivors on Trafficking who Have Been System Involved

This program, presented by Futures Without Violence is at 2 p.m. on Dec 11. This is an engaging webinar that delves into the complexities of human trafficking, particularly within the context of youth and adult survivors who have been system involved. Many aspects will be considered through a multidimensional lens, including risk factors, protective strategies, and collaborative approaches to support survivors navigating the nuances of an already complicated system. Registration closes Dec. 4.

 

Thanksgiving Communication Tool

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has created a communications board for Thanksgiving to help people express themselves during the holiday! This handy tool encourages inclusive conversations at the dinner table, helping everyone share in the joy of the season. Click here to check it out.

 

Accessible Bus and Van Transportation (Free Webinar)

This webinar, from 2:30 - 4 p.m. on Dec. 5, will cover many aspects of ADA compliance for bus and van transportation. Presenters will provide insight and a comprehensive look at the updated ADA accessibility guidelines for buses and vans and will cover the technical requirements for accessible transportation facilities. In addition, presenters will also go over the requirements for accessible transit stops and transit shelters. For more information or to register, visit the Great Lakes ADA Center’s webinar webpage. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. 

 

Updated Estate and Future Planning Booklet Now Available

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council has published an updated version of the booklet “Planning for Bright Tomorrows: Estate and Future Planning for Ohioans with Disabilities and Their Loved Ones.” This booklet is a brief, non-legalistic overview of estate planning options for people with disabilities and their families in Ohio. The booklet is available online and hard copies are available upon request.

 

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. Click the headline to learn more and apply! 

Autistic Adults Needed for Focus Group Study

Michigan Technological University is looking for volunteers to take part in a study exploring how autistic adults use AAC in social and community contexts. The focus group will be conducted online over the course of 5 weeks through an anonymous, text-based discussion board. You will be asked 2-3 questions per week and will post your answers on an anonymous discussion board. You will also be encouraged to reply to the posts of other participants. This will take approximately 1-2 hours per week. Participants will be paid $40 per week, for a total of $200. Participants must meet certain requirements. Please contact Blade Frisch at bwfrisch@mtu.edu or Dr. Keith Vertanen at vertanen@mtu.edu for full details.

 

People First Requests Feedback

People First of Ohio is collecting information on needed trainings for I/DD individuals and/or their family members to effectively serve on executive boards, commissions and councils. The information collected will be shared with DD Council to identify targeted training needs. Please complete the survey (it takes just a few minutes) and share your ideas. Let’s get all 88 Ohio counties represented in this survey! Questions? Email Kraig Walker at kraig.walker@peoplefirstohio.org

 

OACB Seeks Your Input

The Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) of Developmental Disabilities is working on its 2025-2026 Policy Agenda, and needs your help to choose the best policy goals to support your county board and the people it serves. This survey will help OACB understand different needs and challenges from all over the state. This policy agenda will also guide efforts in the last two years of the DeWine Administration, covering the state’s two-year budget, new laws, rule discussions, and other important issues. OACB seeks input from people with disabilities, family members, county board members, superintendents, and other leaders to share ideas in these areas.

 

 

Ohio's peer mentorship project seeks mentees

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council's Peer Mentorship Project is seeking people with disabilities to join as mentees. The program is designed to connect people with disabilities across Ohio, offering support, encouragement, and guidance through trained peer mentors. Mentors will help mentees better understand their disabilities, develop self-advocacy skills, and create meaningful connections. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1. For questions about this program, contact mentoring@ohiosilc.org.

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