Happy DD Awareness Month!

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Special Olympics State Winter Games This Weekend

Ohio Special Olympics State Winter Games are Friday - Sunday, March 7-9, at the Ohio State University! Lucas County Special Olympics will be sending several teams of athletes down for the competition. The Competitive Cheer competes on Friday from 1-4 at the RPAC. The swimmers compete on Friday from 1-4 and Saturday10-6 at McCorkle pool. Skills basketball athletes compete on Saturday from 10-1 at the RPAC. The D1 basketball team competes on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the RPAC. Go Lightning!

SALUTE Meeting (Hybrid) March 10

SALUTE, Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, meets at 5:30 p.m. on March 10. Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki will be the guest speaker. Topics include a plan to expand affordable housing in Lucas County and how your advocacy can help, other Lucas County accessibility and inclusion initiatives, as well as the overall role of Commissioners. Questions? Reach out to Deetra Kelly at 419-380-5141.

Family & Advocate Forum March 11 (Hybrid)

Join Lucas DD for a Family & Advocate Forum at 9:30 a.m. on March 11. Learn more about happenings at the Board or use the 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 meet and have conversations with Board leadership. Can't attend in person? Click here to join virtually.

Common Ground March 11

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 March 11 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Grants Workshops March 12-13

Need help applying for grants to help with therapies, equipment, summer camp, and other services not covered by your medical insurance? Tammy Eisenreich, Parent Support for the Lucas County Board of DD, is available to help families apply for special needs grants on March 12 and 13 in two different locations! Click headline for full details, and to register.

Spring Rec Jam on March 13

Don't miss your chance to dance the night away at the Spring Rec Jam! This free event, for ages 18+, is from 7 - 9 p.m. on March 13. No registration required! Please note, Lucas DD does not provide supervision. Refreshments are available for purchase.

Lucas DD Night at the Pistons March 15

The Detroit Pistons have once again partnered with Lucas DD for an Autism Awareness Night game at 7 p.m. on March 15 at Little Caesar’s Arena. A portion of all tickets purchased through this link will be donated to our FANS network. You'll also get a free gift from the Pistons as well as the opportunity to shoot a free throw on the court after the game. If you can’t go, please share the link with your networks to help raise money for a great cause!

Lucas DD Inclusion Resource Fair on March 19

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! It is open to the public and FREE to attend. Click here to register!

Fitness Fun for Everyone on March 22

Get fit and have some fun from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. on March 22! Participants will be paired up and work together through various circuit stations at LBs Circuit Training. Complete all the stations and win prizes! This inclusive event is free and open to all ages and abilities. Registration recommended, waiver must be signed to participate.

Bowling with Heroes Registration is Filling Up Quickly!

In celebration of DD Awareness Month in March, individuals served by the Board will have the opportunity to bowl with local firefighters and police officers from noon - 2 p.m. on March 29. Must register to participate! Space is limited and there are not many spots left. Click here to register an individual. Please email Kelley Watson if you are a first responder who would like to participate!

Registration open for the Opening Session of 2025 Innovation Series

The 2025 Innovation Series is an event you won’t want to miss! This year’s theme – “Innovation Means Partnership” – celebrates the power of collaboration and creative thinking to shape a more inclusive future. Come together with individuals, families, and professionals to explore transformative strategies and practical solutions that will make a real impact.

Hosted by the Quality and Innovation team at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), in partnership with leaders from the Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA), individuals with lived experience, providers, county board staff, and OCALI team members, this event promises a dynamic learning experience. You'll hear real-life success stories, network with others, and leave with actionable ideas to turn into change. The opening session is a free, virtual event, from 10 a.m. to noon on April 22.



Universal Changing Stations Coming to Ohio Rest Stops

Did you know that several Ohio rest stops will have universal changing stations added by the end of 2026? Gov. DeWine held a press conference last month to celebrate the opening of the first rest stops with universal changing tables. Located at the newly redesigned I-71 rest areas in Jeffersonville, the universal changing stations are part of a family restroom, and include an adjustable table in a clean, safe, and private area. 

Learn more about this effort by clicking here to watch the press conference. 

Lucas DD Family Ties March Meeting Canceled

The Family Ties Team has canceled the March meeting. The next gathering will be on April 17 and will be a social event featuring BINGO! Stay tuned for details.

TODAY is the LAST DAY to Register for Special Olympics Spring Sports!

The adult and youth programs are actively registering athletes for the next season of sports!. Our coaches and volunteers are preparing for an awesome spring with our wonderful athletes! Register before the end of the day to participate!

ADULTS: Click here to see the full newsletter. Questions? Contact specialolympics@lucasdd.org.

YOUTH: Click here to see the full newsletter. Questions? Contact littlelightning@lucasdd.org.

TOPSoccer on March 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 is 2 - 3 p.m. on March. 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.

Family Connection Forum March 12

The Family Connection Forum provides a forum for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to hear directly from individuals and 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. Family Connection Forum (FCF) meetings take place quarterly and are open to everyone. Register to participate in this meeting at noon on March 12.

BGSU RallyCap Sports Basketball Begins March 16

The BGSU chapter of RallyCap Sports basketball season begins soon! Sessions will be from 3 - 4 p.m. at BGSU on March 16, 23, and 30. Lots of fun for people with special needs, all abilities are welcome. Cost for the season is $20.

DD Friendly Make & Take Workshop March 18

Join Board & Brush for a Make & Take workshop! They provide all the materials and instruct you, step-by-step, to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Choose from a variety of paint colors in the workshop. This class is offered every other Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, the next one is on March 18. No registration required! Cost is $15 per workshop. 

Sibshops March 22

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 March 22 at 3939 Wrenwood Rd, Toledo. To register, click here.

List of Grants Available

Need help funding summer camp, therapy, sensory equipment, social skills groups, and so much more? There are grants available to help! Click the headline to check out the list compiled by Parent Partner Tammy Eisenreich. You can also attend her workshops next month at no cost (but some of the grants on this list have imminent deadlines), or schedule a 1:1 session with Tammy to submit grant applications.

Great Bike Giveaway: Deadline March 19

Riding a bike is a treasured childhood experience. Sadly, many children with special needs miss out on this opportunity. Friendship Circle’s Great Bike Giveaway provides an opportunity to win a bike as well as provides a fundraising platform for friends and family members. The Great Bike Giveaway gives a child with special needs the experience, joy and independence of riding a special bike. Click headline to learn more.

World Down Syndrome Day Resources Available

World Down Syndrome Day is on March 21 every year. It is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The goal is to help people understand and support those with Down Syndrome better. The date being the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP)

The Ohio Arts Council offers the Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP), which provides funding to individual artists with disabilities. These resources help them further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career. 

Toledo Museum of Art has Sensory Kits Available

Are you, or is someone you know, neurodivergent and sensory-seeking and would benefit from having fidgets available in the galleries to help you focus and enjoy your museum experience?

TMA now has sensory kits available to borrow at our visitor services desks that provide multiple fidgets to keep you occupied -- including a carrying case that doubles as pop fidget itself! Cases are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are sanitized after each use. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Katie Shelley, Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives, at kshelley@toledomuseum.org.

NACDD Seeks Photos of Individuals for National Project

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. NACDD’s 2025 theme, We’re Here All Year, emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March. 

As part of the national campaign, NACDD is seeking photo submissions to show everyday life of individuals with lived disability experiences across the country. Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to submit a photo of themselves in the community and tell the story behind the photo.

Deadline is March 31. The project will be unveiled in an online photo gallery later this spring. Learn more and submit your photo here.

SALUTE Volunteers Needed + Candy Donations from Anyone

SALUTE members have the opportunity for some DD awareness community activities! Partnering with Maumee Valley Country Day School, volunteers will help with two elementary school carnivals, on March 13 and March 20, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. On both days, volunteers will help with games and pass out candy to kids. You can volunteer at one or both events. Contact Deetra Kelly at dkelly@lucasdd.org with any questions or to volunteer.

Anyone, including SALUTE members, can donate candy that will be handed out. Candy (individually wrapped pieces, please) can be dropped off at the front desk at the Board, brought to the next SALUTE meeting on Monday, or contact Deetra at dkelly@lucasdd.org to make other arrangements.

DODD Seeks Input from Fathers of Individuals with DD

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) continues to build on a collaboration among state agencies, communities, and networks of support to ensure fathers of children with developmental disabilities are supported, engaged, and empowered. 

To keep moving forward, they are asking, "What is a father's current perspective? What are fathers' experiences in systems that support their children with developmental disabilities? What do fathers want? What do fathers need? How do 'systems' and organizations best support fathers of children with developmental disabilities?"

If you are an Ohio father of a child/children with a developmental disability, of any age, please click here to take their short survey.

Board Vacancy at Bittersweet Farms

Bittersweet Farms is seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join its Board of Directors and support its mission of empowering individuals with autism through innovative programs and services. Bittersweet seeks leaders with expertise in construction/real estate, engineering, information technology, marketing/advertising, human resources, autism/education, public administration, and maintenance. Board members provide strategic guidance, support fundraising efforts, and help expand their impact. For more information, email Executive Director Megan Thompson mthompson@bittersweetfarms.org.

Board Vacancy at Preferred Properties

Preferred Properties, Inc. has a current vacancy on its 9-member Board of Directors. The nonprofit focuses on creating housing opportunities through a variety of 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. If you're interested in being a part of the Board, email Executive Director Cheryl Wilson cwilson@preferred-properties.org.

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. 

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