SALUTE Meeting on Monday

SALUTE, which is Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Larc Lane Training Center. February’s meeting will include follow-up from January's planning meeting and a discussion of Project STIR training topics. Meetings are hybrid, so click the headline if you'd like to join via Zoom.

Common Ground on Tuesday

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather and build lasting friendships and connections. The next meeting is 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Family Ties Feb. 20

Lucas DD's Parent Connection Group, Family Ties, aims 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 Feb. 20. Light snacks will be served. 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.

Lucas DD Community Movie Day Feb. 22

Join us for this free community event open to all ages and abilities at Maumee Indoor Theater! Doors open at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22 and the movie, Inside Out 2, will start at 1:30 p.m. Grab your family and friends as all attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a prize pack!

Board Meeting Feb. 24

The next monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities takes place 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24. The meeting is open to the public at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters.

Board Closed for Presidents Day

Lucas DD's South Toledo offices will be closed on Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. While our physical offices are closed, we are still here to support you. For emergency assistance, or to report at MUI, please call the On-Call Service & Support Specialist at 419-380-5100.

Art Through Our Eyes: Art Exhibit Opened

Congratulations to our neighbors at the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio! On Wednesday, the main branch of the Toledo Public Library hosted the grand opening of Art Through Our Eyes: A Low Vision Perspective. The gallery displays pieces by six local low vision artists, and runs now through March 14.

Lucas DD Inclusion Resource Fair Registration Open

Lucas DD's annual Inclusion Resource Fair is 5:30 - 7:30 on March 19 at St. Clement Hall in north Toledo. This inclusive event features many activities, resources, and giveaways, is open to the public, and is FREE to attend. Click here to register!

Call for Artists! 2025 Lucas DD Art Exhibit

Lucas DD is seeking artwork by individuals with DD to showcase in a public art exhibit. Artwork will be displayed March 24 - 31 at Franklin Park Mall, with an optional "Meet the Artists" event from 1 - 3 p.m. on March 30. Deadline to submit artwork is March 7. Please email marketing@lucasdd.org if you are interested.

Pottery Barn Introduces New Accessible Furniture Collection

Pottery Barn has partnered with Michael Graves Design, a wheelchair user-led design firm, to create a collection of accessible furniture that doesn’t sacrifice beautiful design. The new collection features upholstered armchairs as well as items from Pottery Barn’s bestselling bedroom collections, including bed frames with integrated armrests and “pull-and-roll side grips,” dressers and nightstands with easy-to-use larger pulls, and more.

Toledo Walleye Charity Game and Sled Hockey Clinic on Sunday

Come watch Walleye players take on the Walleye sled hockey team in a charity game at noon on Sunday, Feb. 9. Admission is free! There will be raffle prizes and a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the Walleye sled hockey program. Try sled hockey after the game! They are hosting a free clinic at 1:30 p.m. for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities to learn the basics of sled hockey. Register now as space is limited.

TOPSoccer on Sunday

U.S. 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, which is the first one of 2025, is 2 - 3 p.m. on Feb. 9. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive. Please register. Click headline for details.

Disability Connect on Wednesday

Disability Connect is a gathering for DODD leaders to hear directly from the people they support about issues affecting them. 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. This month, from 1 - 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, the MUI process will be discussed. Must register.

Technology Recommendations from Clearwater COG

Clearwater Council of Governments (COG) has put together a website with recommended technology for OhioISP. Resources are organized into groups and can be filtered by accessibility need!

Free Books with Braille for Children with Visual Impairments

Every child deserves the joy of books, and this program ensures that all children can experience the magic of reading—regardless of their visual abilities. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and their partnership with Braille Tales, children with vision impairments or blindness can receive FREE Imagination Library books with braille!

QUESTION-PERSUADE-REFER (QPR)

3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Take this skills test to see how you do, and then join us at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19 in the Larc Lane Training Center. This critical mental health training session is designed for anyone who may find themselves interacting with someone who is suicidal. Register for this free training by e-mailing drussell@lucasdd.org, or by calling 419-381-6123. 

Ability Center Scholarship Program

The Ability Center is accepting applications for their Student Scholarship Program. This is an opportunity for students to receive up to $5,000 in funding to help with their educational costs. The scholarship aims to ease financial challenges and provide the necessary support for students to excel in their studies. The funds can be applied toward tuition for college, trade school, or certification programs. Whether it’s for tuition, textbooks, or other academic expenses, the scholarship can help students achieve their dreams. Application deadline has been extended to March 2.

Attention K-3 Teachers in Lucas County

In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, Lucas DD is looking for teachers interested in having someone read a children's book to their students. If you'd like to have someone visit your class, please email marketing@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-4048.

Board Vacancy at Preferred Properties

Preferred Properties, Inc. has a current vacancy on its 9-member Board of Directors. The not-for-profit focuses on creating housing opportunities through a variety of housing programs for persons with developmental disabilities. Its goal is to develop housing in such a way that persons living with disabilities are effectively integrated into communities and neighborhoods Learn more at P2Housing.org, and if you're interested in being a part of the Board, email Executive Director Cheryl Wilson cwilson@preferred-properties.org.

Vendors Needed for Inclusion Resource Fair

Lucas DD is currently registering inclusive programs and organizations to participate in our annual Inclusion Resource Fair. The 2025 fair will be from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. March 19 at St. Clement Hall in Toledo. This event is FREE for everyone to participate but vendors must register. Click here to register your organization.

Share your story with Ohio DD Talks

Ohio DD Talks is the podcast hosted by the Ohio DD Council. The Ohio DD Council wants to hear YOUR stories and they want to share theirs. The series will feature Council members, agency leaders and YOU - people with developmental disabilities, family members, and community members. The goal is to collect stories and perhaps even have you on the series! Submit your story on their website through an easy-to-use form (click headline). 

2025 OhioISP Feedback Survey

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities invites you to take a survey to express your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to improve the OhioISP template and process. Share your feedback based on your role in the system. Your input will directly inform updates to the OhioISP. The results of the survey will identify key areas that need updated within the standardized OhioISP template to better understand the needs, preferences, and choices of Ohioans with Developmental Disabilities. 

Friday Update is the weekly newsletter of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

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