Friday Update: April 25, 2025

Multi-County Spring Fling Dance for Special Olympics Athletes

REMINDER! Special Olympics staff from Henry, Lucas, and Wood counties are having a Spring Fling Dance for the athletes, from 6-8 p.m. tonight! Come dressed to impress and we will see you on the dance floor! Attendance is free, but space is limited!

Lucas DD Board Annual Meeting on Monday

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is 6:30 p.m. April 28 inside the Larc Lane Center at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters.

Lucas DD x Goodwill Donation Drive May 4-5

Do some spring cleaning around the house and do some good for your community. Drop off gently used clothing or household goods to any Toledo area Goodwill Store or Donation Station May 4-5 and tell them it's for Lucas DD and the FANS Network. For each donation made, Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio will give us a $25 voucher for individuals served by the Board to shop at their stores.

SALUTE Storytellers Volume 5

SALUTE Storytellers are a group of self-advocates working on developing meaningful stories about their lives. The weekly workshop starts June 2 concludes with a live storytelling event at the Toledo Museum of Art on July 12. Individuals do not have to be from Lucas County to join! Contact Deetra Kelly to sign up.

Second Annual Walk for Autism is Tomorrow

Sonya Spruill, a local parent, is hosting the 2nd Annual Walk for Autism! Check-in begins at 3 p.m. tomorrow. The deadline to register has been extended to today at 5 p.m. To register, use CashApp to send $5 per adult and $10 for family up to 4. CashApp is $ADTmy3 Registration includes wristbands to be used for food/refreshments and goodie bags. Come out to enjoy an afternoon walk while raising awareness for autism!

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 is 2 - 3 p.m. on April 27. 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.

F.E.A.R. Factor on April 30

Join Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB) from 1 – 2:30 p.m. on April 30, for another virtual FEAR Factor session! This one will cover Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Subsidies and Work Incentives. FEAR Factor is a training series to help people with lived experience address their fears about working and maintaining disability benefits.

Annual Autism Walk May 4

The Annual Autism Walk is the primary fundraiser for the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio. Beginning at 9 a.m. on May 4, the walk features family-friendly activities and access to local autism organizations in our resource area for families.

Adulting 101 Workshop on May 5

Join the Ability Center of Toledo for an Adulting 101 Workshop, a fun way for teens and young adults to learn about and practice various life skills. From 5:30 - 7 p.m. on May 5, the group will focus on ways to stay connected with friends and family who are not seen on a regular basis. This workshop is ideal for individuals who are 13 - 26 years old. Please register.

Adult Game Night on May 7

Adults age 23+ are invited to join The Ability Center from 6 - 8 p.m. on May 7 for a night of fun, games, and live music at Buffalo Rock Brewery Bayside! They reserved the conference room for a laid-back evening of board games, card games, and great company. You'll enjoy live music and Lyle’s Crepes Food Truck! Bring your favorite game, grab a drink, and get ready for a fantastic evening of laughter, competition, and good vibes! Must register.

Ohio Technology First Virtual Meeting on May 9

Ohio's Technology First Community of Practice, from the Ohio Department of DD, is for people with lived experience, families, intermediate care facilities, providers, county board employees, educators, and anyone else in Ohio interested in supportive technology. The meetings feature updates and opportunities to network. Register to attend next meeting at 2 p.m. on May 9.

Accessible Birding Field Trips: May 9 - 18

The Biggest Week in American Birding is approaching, and you can join in the fun with accessible field trips! Trips occur daily May 9-18 from 10 a.m. to noon, locations are at local parks. There is no cost to participate in these field trips, but please register.

Playground Communication Board

This spring is a great time to explore some of Ohio's parks and playgrounds! DODD's playground communication board is a helpful tool for anybody to connect and express themselves. Check out other communication boards here.

SDM Toolkit: All About Supported Decision-Making

DODD has put together a Supported Decision-Making (SDM) toolkit, filled with a variety of helpful resources. SDM empowers people to make their own choices with help from their chosen supporters. This toolkit includes resources to help you understand what SDM is, who can use SDM, and how to use SDM. SDM looks different for everyone; it can be done within guardianship or as an alternative to guardianship. It is a set of skills that can be easily developed by some and can be much more challenging for others.

Lucas DD Provider Training for May

Christene Touvelle, Director of Advocacy for the Ohio Provider Resource Association, will lead a class focusing on the history and framework of Ohio’s marijuana laws and examine issues to consider related to the effects of legalized recreational marijuana on providers as both employers and as providers of services. Also, considerations for providers in regard to served individuals who want to engage in recreational marijuana usage. The class is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 16. To register, email drussell@lucasdd.org.

Outdoors for All: Accessible Trails Guide

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a list of accessible trails across Ohio, as well as a new, downloadable guide! Many of the trails are great for wildlife viewing, offering seasonal opportunities to observe songbirds, waterfowl, frogs, turtles, fish, or mammals. They recommend early morning and late afternoon as the best times to see or hear wildlife. 

Supported Decision-Making Network of Ohio Needs Your Voice!

The Supported Decision-Making Network of Ohio is creating a Word Cloud to spotlight what Supported Decision-Making (SDM) means to YOU—and they need your help! Think about your experiences, your values, or what SDM represents in your life or work. To participate, click on the headline and drop one or more words in the comments that you associate with Supported Decision-Making. They will collect all the responses and turn them into a beautiful word cloud that reflects the shared vision! The goal is to amplify the voices behind supported decision-making—one word at a time.

Project STIR Graduates: Your Input is Needed!

If you have attended Project STIR as a participant or an ally please click here to complete a short survey. The Ohio Self Determination Association would like to know about your leadership after Project STIR.

Special Olympics Ohio Requests Nominations

Nominate the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who have profoundly impacted our movement through their leadership, inclusion, and dedication to excellence.

The Special Olympics Ohio Hall of Fame nomination deadline is April 30. Honorees will be announced on June 13 at the State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies

Lucas DD Human Rights Committee Seeks Members

The Board is recruiting individuals, family members, and guardians to actively participate in our Human Rights Committee (HRC). The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Members are only required to attend one HRC meeting per month, either in person at Lucas DD or online via Zoom.

Members are emailed information to review the week prior regarding cases being presented at HRC. Committee members review the provided information (OISP and Behavior Assessment) prior to HRC meeting.

Decisions made by HRC help ensure that:

• Individuals with developmental disabilities are supported in a caring and responsive manner that promotes dignity, respect, and trust; that they are equal citizens with the same rights and personal freedoms granted to Ohioans without developmental disabilities.
• Individuals' services and supports are based on an understanding of the individual and the reasons for their actions
• Effort is directed at creating opportunities for individuals to exercise choice in matters affecting their everyday lives and supporting individuals to make choices that yield positive outcomes; and
• Restrictive measures are used only when necessary to keep people safe and always in conjunction with positive measures.

Individuals that receive, or are eligible to receive, services are paid $50 per session! If you know of anyone that would be interested, please contact Lucas DD SSA Assistant Director Sarah Dodson at sdodson@lucasdd.org or at 419-380-5400.

Lucas DD Blood Drive

Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at the Board's South Toledo headquarters. Click here to make an appointment

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.

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.

Outdoor Discovery Day May 18

Volunteers are needed at the Metroparks' Outdoor Discovery Day events to assist with outdoor skills including archery, paddling, and in the kid’s zone. Assistance is also needed with set-up and teardown. If you are interested in this opportunity, please connect with Hannah Gillen at 419-407-9840.

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

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