Friday Update: December 6, 2024

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.)

Lucas DD Board Meeting Dec. 16

The Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will hold its final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 16. The meeting is open to the public and held in the Training Center at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters.

Lucas DD Offices Closing Dec. 24 for Wnter Break

The offices of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1 for winter break, however, 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.

Entrepreneur Served by Lucas DD Recognized

At its Nov. 25 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities gave a Special Recognition Award to Mahlique Keith, an individual served by the Board, and recognized Olga Melendrez, a Data Analyst in the Children's Department, as its Staff Person of the Month. Click the headline for details.

Jingle Bell Bash is tomorrow

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.

DODD Family Advisory Council Dec. 11

The final Family Advisory Council meeting of the year is from 12-1:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. FAC meetings take place quarterly and are open to everyone. The Family Advisory Council provides a forum for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to hear directly from family members about the issues that affect their lives and provides the opportunity to learn more about the department's current initiatives from executive staff. To request an accommodation due to a disability, reach out to meredith.mendoza@dodd.ohio.gov. Click here to register.

iDance Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Dec. 11

Join iDance for a ribbon cutting ceremony from 1-1:45 p.m. on Dec. 11 to celebrate the grand opening of the new iDance Adaptive Performing Arts and Fitness Center! There will be a light, catered lunch available for attendees.

Sensory-Friendly Morning at Great Lakes Museum

The National Museum of the Great Lakes offers an inclusive and serene environment for families and individuals with sensory sensitivities to explore and enjoy their exhibits during Sensory Friendly Mornings! During Sensory Friendly Mornings, visitors can expect limited crowds to ensure a peaceful visit, dim lighting for a calming ambiance, and reduced or eliminated exhibit sounds to minimize auditory stimulation. The next Sensory Friendly Morning is on from 9-10 a.m. on Dec. 14.

Super Saturday Dance Dec. 14

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!

Redtreehouse.org Resource

Redtreehouse.org supports families and children with challenges, disabilities, and health care needs by helping them find the resources they need to thrive. Curated resource pathways allow individuals to browse our collection of 5000+ verified listings by medical condition or specific need, while Parent & Pro Picks offer information and groupings of resources on a variety of useful topics. They also have an active blog, with a recent post about Autism on the Go.

Remote Supports and Assistive Technology Trainings Now on DODD's My Learning 

The Remote Support and Assistive Technology training series is now available as an on-demand online course on DODD MyLearning. This four-part training series offers an in-depth exploration of how to effectively integrate technology resources and tools into service planning and delivery for people with developmental disabilities. Each part offers 1.5 continuing professional developmental (CPD) units in the areas of adult services, county board members, service and support administration, and superintendent.

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 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! 

Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports League

A new Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports league is forming! Anthony Wayne Inclusive Sports will offer accessible youth sports and activities as an inclusive unit within the Anthony Wayne and Greater Toledo Community. You do not have to live in the Anthony Wayne district to participate! AWIS is for children with (any and all) disabilities, or children who may not otherwise participate in recreational or competitive sports. The program is expected to launch in the fall 2025 and will begin by exploring a few sports, with the goal of developing into leagues in future years. Parents, guardians, and caregivers of children who may be interested in participating are asked to complete a survey to assist in planning the pilot season: https://forms.office.com/r/QqXZ1z1WYH. Contact awinclusivesports@awyf.org with any questions you have regarding the program or if you are interested in volunteering.

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 email bwfrisch@mtu.edu or 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 to share your ideas. Let’s get all 88 Ohio counties represented! Questions? Email 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. OACB seeks input from people with disabilities, family members, county board members, superintendents, and other leaders to share ideas in these areas.