Friday Update: May 9, 2025

SALUTE Meeting Monday

Lucas DD's self-advocacy group, SALUTE, will have their next meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 12. For May's meeting, Sarra Burnham and Nathan Turner from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities will hold a Focus Group to get self-advocates’ feedback about self-advocacy experiences. Additionally, Sarah Davies, Account Executive at the telehealth company StationMD, will talk about how StationMD specially-trained clinicians serve individuals with I/DD.

Common Ground 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. May 13 at our Larc Lane Training Center. Questions? Contact your Service and Support Specialist or click here to email Deborah Tyree.

Lucas DD at Outdoor Discovery Day May 18

Join Lucas DD for Bike Day as part of Outdoor Discovery Day by Mercy! Come to Side Cut Metropark from Noon to 4 p.m. on May 18 for a variety of activities! Enjoy music, food trucks, and a full day discovering the outdoors.

SNAP-ED Cooking and Nutrition Classes begin May 19

The Ohio State University SNAP-Ed program aims to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP benefits will make healthy food choices and choose physically active lifestyles. A series of 3 classes (4:30 - 5:30 p.m. on May 19, June 3, June 10) will include information about healthy food choices and demonstrations on food prep. Sign up by contacting Deetra Kelly.

Lucas DD Board Meeting on May 19 

The next monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities is at 5:30 p.m. on May 19. The meeting is open to the public at Lucas DD's South Toledo headquarters.

Lucas DD Blood Drive May 20

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

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 and 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! Additionally, artwork will be featured! If you are interested in Storytellers or showcasing your artwork, please contact Deetra Kelly.

ADA National Network celebrates Speech-Language-Hearing Month

It’s Speech-Language-Hearing Month! Effective communication is an essential part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Read the ADA National Network's fact sheet on effective communication to learn more.

Closed Captioning Gets An Overhaul to Improve Accessibility

A Chicago company wants to change the way closed captioning is presented on screens. The “Caption with Intention” system would allow viewers to experience the emotion, tone, pacing, and speaker identity through animation, color, and expressive typography. Their goal is to create a more immersive, human-centered experience that goes far beyond the standard closed-captioning format.

Lucas County Special Olympics Offers Unified Golf

Lucas County Special Olympics (LCSO) is offering unified golf! Athletes golf 9 holes with a unified partner in an alternating shot format. Please find a unified golf partner. Also, golfers need to provide their own clubs and golf balls to play. LCSO will cover the cost of the greens fees and carts. All golfers must possess the basic skills to play a round of golf including golf etiquette. SO staff will be assigning teams to two different courses. Practice times and locations will be announced once registration closes on May 23.

Join Lucas DD in the Old West End Parade!

Sign up to join Lucas DD in the King Wamba parade! This eclectic convergence of art, music, street theater, and visual wonder will parade through the Old West End on June 7. Please note: the parade route is 1.8 miles long. Please note: The parade route is 1.8 miles long and Lucas DD staff will not be providing direct supervision to individuals. Make appropriate arrangements if supervision is necessary

Spectrum Sailing: Enter now for a chance to attend a free camp!

Spectrum Sailing (501c3), the only National Autism Sailing Program, presents a free 3-day sailing camp for 10-17 year old children with autism. Due to the high level of interest, campers are selected through a lottery system. Any child not selected via lottery will be added to the waiting list should a spot in camp open up. Spectrum Sailing Toledo will take place June 3-5.

Lucas DD Closed May 26 for Memorial Day

Lucas DD's South Toledo offices will be closed May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. 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.

Family Ties May 15 Meeting Canceled

The May 15 Family Ties parent connection group has been canceled. Please email familyties@lucasdd.org with any questions.

3rd Annual Zoo For All Walk at Dart Frog Dash May 17

Walk, run, roll and stroll your way through the Toledo Zoo's Zoo for All Walk at Dart Frog Dash! This non-competitive event at 9 a.m. on May 17 is focused on fun and access for all! Join the zoo for a special event designed with inclusivity in mind. Admission and parking are included with registration.

Disabled Women Make History (and Art) May 17

For the fourth year, TMA is partnering with Disability EmpowHer Network to highlight female artists with a disabilities. This year, from 6 - 8 p.m. on May 17, the disability community celebrates the 26th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision, a landmark United States Supreme Court decision advancing disability rights. One of the plaintiffs of the court case, Lois Curtis, was a female artist with a disability. Her contributions to disability history and culture are being celebrated through this event.

TOPSoccer May 18

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 May 18. 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.

Sunshine Communities Plant Sale continues through tomorrow

Brighten your porch, patio, or garden with our beautiful hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, and veggie starters from Sunshine Communities! Every purchase supports meaningful work for people with developmental disabilities.

Accessible Birding Field Trips through May 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.

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.

Arts Impact Explorer Fact Sheet: ARTS + Disability

The Arts Impact Explorer is an advocacy and educational tool designed to provide data about the impact of the arts. They have complied a fact sheet specific for arts and disability!

DODD Mental Health Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a great time to explore the DODD Wellness Project for helpful mental health resources and support. Need immediate help? Call, text, or chat 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer help and support. The easy-to-remember, 3-digit number provides free and confidential support 24/7 to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis. View plain language and easy-read 988 resources here.

Provider Community of Practice on May 27

Lucas and Wood County Boards of DD invite Providers to a Community of Practice: Providers Serving Youth, hosted by Hancock County from 10 a.m. to Noon on May 27! This event brings together providers serving youth, County Boards and DODD representatives to support the network of services for youth.

Group Employment Support Program Seeks Businesses as Partners

Bittersweet Farms is looking for partner businesses to support their new group employment program launching this summer. Whatever service your business might be seeking such as cleaning, mowing, landscaping, gardening, or other service needs, Bittersweet is excited to meet your business needs. Email mdockery@bittersweetfarms.org for more information.

Special Olympics State Summer Games Needs Volunteers

Special Olympics Ohio will be hosting the 2025 Summer Games in and around The Ohio State University June 13-15. There are many volunteer opportunities available! Volunteers must be 14+ years old (unless otherwise noted). Everyone will be given a volunteer t-shirt and anyone who signs up for a full day will have lunch provided. More details will be provided as the date approaches. 

• Friday Summer Games Opportunities (Sports & Olympic Village)
• Opening Ceremonies and Honored Guest Reception
• Summer Games/Meal Distribution
• Saturday Summer Games Opportunities
• Sunday Summer Games Opportunities

Community Build Volunteers Needed

Are you interested in volunteering with the building of a community inclusive & accessible playground? Construction will occur in June and the Stranahan PTA is seeking volunteers of various skill levels. 

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.

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

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