Friday Update: March 28, 2025

Bowling with Heroes is Tomorrow!

As we wrap up DD Awareness Month, individuals served by the Board will bowl with local firefighters and police officers from 12-2 p.m. March 29. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m. Registration for participation is full, but all are welcome to come watch the bowlers compete! If you have any questions, contact Kelley Watson.

Lucas DD Art Show is happening now! Meet the Artists on Sunday

The Lucas DD Art Show at Franklin Park Mall showcases artwork created by individuals of all ages. Artwork can be viewed during mall hours near center court (not the food court). The exhibit will be capped off with a Meet the Artists event, 1-3 p.m. March 30. Stop by and see this celebration of creativity and community!

Wealth & Wisdom on April 7

Navigating Social Security benefits can be confusing—but help is available! Join Margaret Zotkiewicz, Lucas DD Community Work Incentives Counselor, 5:30-7 p.m. April 7 for an in-depth view of the differences between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Open to all ages. Parents are also encouraged to attend. The event is free, but registration is required.

Common Ground April 8

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. April 8 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

SALUTE on April 14

SALUTE, Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, will meet at 5:30 p.m. April 14. The topic will be Ohio SNAP-Ed. Questions? Reach out to Deetra Kelly at 419-380-5141.

Lucas DD Board March 2025 Special Recognition

At its monthly meeting earlier this week, the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities recognized Lucas DD Secretary Pamala Banner as the March Staff Person of the Month. The Board also gave a Special Recognition Award to the foster family of 3 individuals served by our Children's Department.

Lucas DD Launches Podcast!

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month seems like the perfect time to introduce our new podcast, Larc Lane Conversations! Hosted by Chris Hart and Jane Meyer from our Provider Supports Department, this first episode features a chat with Lucas DD Superintendent Michele Myerholtz, a brief history of DD Awareness in America, and a “Success Stories” segment featuring a young entrepreneur served by the Board, Joey M., talking about his plans for success! If you're interested in being part of Larc Lane Conversations, or have questions, comments, or suggestions, email llconversations@lucasdd.org.

Board Closed April 18 for Spring Holiday

Lucas DD's South Toledo offices will be closed April 18 for its spring holiday. While our physical offices are closed, we are still here to support you. For emergency assistance, or to report a MUI, call the On-Call Service & Support Specialist at 419-380-5100.

SALUTE Activities

On Wednesday, SALUTE self-advocates volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house. This was another DD Awareness month way to give back to the community! Check out their smiling faces here. On Tuesday, April 1, advocates will be going on a jail tour in downtown Toledo. Please contact Deetra Kelly for complete details.

Multi-County Spring Fling Dance for Special Olympics Athletes

Special Olympics staff from Henry, Lucas, and Wood counties are having a Spring Fling Dance for the athletes, 6-8 p.m. April 25! Get together for an evening of FUN! Be sure to dress to impress and we will see you on the dance floor! Attendance is free, but space is limited and registration required. Note: staff/parents do not need tickets.

Lucas DD Art Exhibit in the News

We kicked off the Art Show this week with an opening press conference that was covered by The Blade, which featured it in a beautiful photo gallery, and WTVG, which talked about the show in its daily Bright Side segment.

Ohio Tech Goals Update

In 2023, Ohio successfully surpassed its initial target of increasing remote supports by 15% by June 30, achieving a 40% increase. The state's goal for December 2024 was to boost utilization by 50%, and while the increase reached 39%, it still marked a significant rise for any Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver service. Moving forward, the new target is to increase the overall usage of remote support services by 45% by June 30, 2026. For more in-depth information about Ohio Tech Goals, click here.   

We Thrive Together Virtual Aktion Club Launching

The First-Ever We Thrive Together Virtual Aktion Club is launching, and they are inviting YOU to be a part of this groundbreaking initiative! This one-of-a-kind club brings the heart of Kiwanis to the virtual world, offering individuals of all abilities to come together to lead, serve, and make a difference in their communities, all from the comfort of home! Click headline for details.

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act Documentary Released

While curb cuts, ramps at building entrances, and braille on elevator buttons seem commonplace today, they were once the subject of a pitched battle that landed on the steps of Congress. Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act tells the emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the 1990 passage of the ADA, one of the most consequential civil rights bills in the nation’s history.

Individuals Seeking Providers

Providers serving Lucas County, don't forget to check out our Providers Wanted page, where we currently have more than 40 individuals seeking services.

DD-Friendly Make & Take Workshop April 1

Join Board & Brush for a Make & Take workshop, 10 a.m. - noon on April 1! They provide all the materials and instruction on how to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Choose from a variety of paint colors in the workshop. No registration required! Cost is $15 per workshop. 

Special Needs Resource Fair April 2

Join Toledo Public Schools for a free Special Needs Resource Fair, 5-7 p.m. April 2! Refreshments provided. Gather information about programs, jobs, and more!

Families at the Center of a Connected Community - Learning Series begins Apr. 3

Join the Ohio Family Network and learn practical tips, lessons, values, and stories from families like yours, who have done it! This FREE, interactive, virtual series spans 3 weeks, beginning April 3, and will demonstrate how to build a more connected neighborhood for you and your family. Click headline for registration details.

Health Care Coverage Options Zoom April 3

Navigating health care coverage can be overwhelming. Join Ohio Family to Family for a free, virtual session, 7-8:30 p.m. on April 3. Session includes an overview of private insurance, Medicaid, managed care, and programs that assist with out-of-pocket costs, copays, and uncovered medical expenses. They will also share grant options and resources to help families access the support they need.

TOPSoccer on April 6

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. April 6. TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Shows begin Apr. 10

The University of Toledo invites you to an inclusive, accessible, and spectacular new musical production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This production includes a cast of actors with and without developmental disabilities and tells the classic Shakespeare tale of mixed-up love through popular music, from Taylor Swift to Bob Seger. All performances will have open captioning and wheelchair and companion seating. The April 10 performance at 7:30 p.m. is a free community preview! The 2 p.m. performance on April 13 will have ASL interpretation. Click headline to see all 8 show dates and times.

Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt on April 13

New Life Church is excited to announce a Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt, 2-4 p.m. April 13. This event is thoughtfully designed to provide a joyful and accessible Easter experience for those with diverse needs. All are welcome to this inclusive event! Registration is recommended.

AbleToPlay: Accessible Games

Good Trouble has launched AbleToPlay, a free, accessibility-first game discovery platform that helps gamers with disabilities and their families instantly find games that match their needs using a groundbreaking Personalized Score system. Supported by Child’s Play Charity, Games For Change, and the World Institute on Disability, AbleToPlay simplifies game discovery, turning hours of research into seconds. By providing fair, merit-based visibility for developers and publishers, along with best practices for accessibility, the platform is revolutionizing how accessible games are found and enjoyed.

Vision Impairment Simulator

The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio has created a Vision Impairment Simulator because “What do you actually see?” is one of the most common questions asked of people with a vision impairment. The Simulator depicts several of the most common vision impairments, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Glimpse the world through different eyes as you view a face, street signs, landscapes and other images.

Lucas County Alerts

Lucas County Alerts is an emergency alerts system that allows you to opt-in to receive emergency and/or community event notifications via phone calls, text messages, or emails based on the locations you care about. This service is free to users. In the event of an emergency, an alert will be sent to the phone number(s) you provide and/or your email address. Possible emergencies include: tornado warnings, snow emergencies, evacuations, shelter-in-place advisories, etc.

Special Olympics Young Athletes at Home Program

Special Olympics Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills and fundamentals like running, kicking and throwing. This program offers families, teachers, caregivers, and others in the community a chance to share the joy of sports with all children at no cost. Click the headline to learn more and apply.

Family Engagement Resources 

Parents of children with special needs often seek additional resources and support in different areas of life. The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center has a searchable hub of resources for families. These resources support your child and you as a parent or caregiver, while also helping you, your school, and your community work together better.

New Development Interest Survey

A local organization is seeking input on a mixed-use development project in Northwestern Ohio. It is being designed to welcome individuals of all abilities, offering a supportive and inclusive living environment. Their vision is to create a unique, integrated community where people of all abilities can live independently (or semi-independently) while benefiting from on-site services and amenities tailored to their needs. The goal is to foster a diverse and welcoming environment that promotes independence, connection, and opportunity for everyone.

Transition Fair Committee Seeks Input!

Have you attended one of our Transition Fairs in the fall? Did you plan to go, but never made it? Do you have a child who will age out of the school system in the next few years? Please answer a few questions to help us plan the 2025 Transition Fair!

Employment Opportunities at the Board

A career with Lucas DD is a rewarding one that goes beyond the competitive pay and outstanding benefits package. We are currently looking for an Investigative Agent, Early Intervention Development Specialist, Service & Support Specialist, Community Connections Trainer, Organizational Culture & Inclusion Manager, and a Speech and Language Pathologist. Learn more and apply at LucasDD.org/Careers

Family Ties Survey

Lucas DD's parent group, Family Ties, is now in its second year, and is currently assessing the path forward. If you have been to any of the sessions (virtual or in person), your input would be greatly appreciated. Click the headline to answer a few questions.

Can You Hear Us Now?

Ohio State University Nisonger Center is conducting "Can You Hear Us Now?," a health research project designed to amplify the voices of adults with intellectual disabilities. The project aims to improve the health and quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. The goal is to learn more about the health, mental health, and wellness of adults with IDD so that services are improved.

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

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