Lucas Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities News You Can Use | |
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10th Annual CommUNITY Film Fest is next weekend!
Come see the 15 film entries submitted by our talented individuals! The CommUNITY Film Fest is a fun and FREE event open to the whole community. Enjoy the 5-minute films and see who wins what category, including the coveted Best of the Fest Award. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the show starts at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 at Maumee Indoor Theater.
Final Playgroup of the Summer is Monday!
Lucas DD's Early Intervention team welcomes everyone to their final inclusive Summer Playgroup 10 a.m. to noon August 12 at Side Cut Metropark*. Playgroups are ideal for those up to 6 years old, but ALL ages and abilities are welcome to attend. Parents are encouraged to connect as well. Register and check-in with staff upon arrival for a chance to win fun prizes!
*Note: Location of this playgroup was changed due to the high number of pre-registrants.
Common Ground Social Skills Group Meets Aug. 13
Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. Meetings are from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at our Larc Lane Training Center in South Toledo.
Family Ties on August 22
Lucas DD Family Ties is a parent support group that regularly meets to help families connect and build a supportive network. Light snacks are served, and a special guest is present as a resource for parents! This month, Lucas DD Community Inclusion & Employment Manager Lori Balogh will be available to speak about upcoming inclusive events. Please email familyties@lucasdd.org with any questions, or if you need to bring your child or individual with you.
Move to the Groove at the August Rec Jam
The always-popular Lucas DD Rec Jam is 7-9 p.m. Aug. 28 at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania. No registration required. See you there on the dance floor!
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SALUTE President Appointed to Ohio DD Council
Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Cassandra Wilson to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Her term began on Aug. 2 and ends on Dec. 31, 2026. Cassandra is an individual served by Lucas DD and President of our SALUTE self-advocacy group.
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Special Olympics Fall Sports Registration is now Open
If you are a Special Olympics athlete over the age of 16, you should have the latest Lucas County Lightning newsletter in your inbox! You'll find information about the signups for Football (Flag and Unified), Powerlifting, Walking Group, and Healthy Athletes. Must register before August 30 to participate.
TARTA Seeks Feedback on Fare System Upgrade
The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) has scheduled a series of public events to collect community feedback on the planned rollout of an account-based ticketing system. This fare-capping system, if approved by TARTA’s Board of Trustees, will allow customers to get the value of extended passes without paying the upfront fee. The day cap will be $3, the 7-day cap will be $15, and the 31-day cap will be $45.
These events will include two in-person forums and two virtual feedback sessions. These forums will focus on the Title VI equity analyses surrounding the service changes. A virtual session will be recorded and posted on the TARTA website. Public meeting dates are:
- Virtual meeting, Monday, Aug. 19, 5-6 p.m., Register at tarta.com/publicmeetings
- In-person meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6-7 p.m., Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Kent Branch, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.
- In-person meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., TARTA Transit Hub, 612 N. Huron Street, Toledo
- Virtual meeting, Friday, Aug. 23, 10-11 a.m. Register at tarta.com/publicmeetings
Free Youth Golf Clinics at First Tee
First Tee has teamed up with Lucas County Special Olympics to bring young athletes two free golf clinics in September. Space is limited and registration is required. Click on the headline for details.
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iDance Annual Showcase
iDance is having their Annual Showcase from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on August 15. Admission is FREE! There will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a reception following the performance.
Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) invites you to share your ideas as they continue into year two of the Accessible Ohio program. Please join them for the Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum on Wednesday, August 21 at 10 a.m.
Accessible Ohio reinforces Gov. Mike DeWine’s Executive Order which established Ohio as a disability inclusion state and a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The team’s mission is to prioritize accessibility from the start, promote inclusiveness, and ensure everyone can experience Ohio in an equitable way. Accessible Ohio is a resource for Ohio’s businesses, communities, venues, attractions, and employers by providing consultations, education, and resources. To register, click here.
Toledo Adaptive Dance Classes Start August 22
Toledo Ballet Adaptive Dance offers differently-abled individuals specialized adaptive dance instruction. Students reap many other important benefits, including improvement in coordination, fitness, balance, focus, listening, self-esteem, self-expression, positive social connections, rhythm, and musicality. Adaptive Dance Director and Toledo Ballet faculty member, Ann Heckler, is dedicated to creating a positive learning environment and helping each student develop his/her own self-confidence and freedom of expression.
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OpenSpot and Inclusive Theatre This Fall At UT
OpenSpot is coming back to the University of Toledo this fall! The University of Toledo (Disability Studies and Theatre and Film) is collaborating with OpenSpot Theatre for a 6-week acting workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. Work with UT students and trained facilitators to learn singing, dancing, and acting skills. The workshop ends with a performance that you will write and star in! Fall classes run Thursdays 5:30-6:30 at the UT Center for Performing Arts from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24. To learn more and sign up, visit OpenSpot’s registration page. There is a suggested class fee, but no one is turned away if they are not able to pay.
Free Back-to-School Haircuts for children with DD
There are free haircuts available for children with developmental disabilities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August. Supervision and transportation not provided. Appointment required, call 419-320-0758.
Accessible Ohio's Team
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) has a team of Accessible Ohio specialists that provides consultation to Ohio businesses, venues, attractions, and communities across the state. If you're interested in starting a partnership with OOD, please send an email to AccessibleOhio@ood.ohio.gov.
CHANGE THE LANGUAGE
Words matter and do make a difference, not only how we say something but what we say. This training, 1-2 p.m. on Aug. 29 at Lucas DD, will focus on common words used today such as “behavior,” “biter,” “allowance”, “attention-seeking” and instead put a focus on person-centered language we can and should be using in order to respect those we work with. Andrea Jaworski, Director of Residential Services for Assured Health Services will be facilitating the training. CEUs are available. To register, email mmerritt@lucasdd.org or call 419-381-5300.
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Volunteers Needed at Special Olympics Regional Competition
The Northwest Region of Special Olympics Ohio needs several volunteers for the upcoming Regional Softball Tournament/Skills Competition on Aug. 17 in Findlay. Must be at least 14 years old. Some positions require experience with keeping books. Please click on the headline for more information or to sign up today!
Lucas DD seeks Human Rights Committee Participants
Lucas DD is seeking individuals, family members, guardians and/or providers to actively participate in our Human Rights Committee (HRC).
Monthly HRC meetings are hybrid on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Members are only required to attend one HRC meeting per month. Members can attend in person at Lucas DD or online via Zoom.
- Members are provided information the week prior via email regarding individuals being presented at HRC.
- Committee members should review the provided information (OISP and Behavior Assessment) prior to HRC meeting.
Committee Members discuss how to ensure:
- 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.
- Their services and supports are based on an understanding of the individual and the reasons for the individuals' 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 who receive, or are eligible to receive, specialized services receive a $50 payment per session attended! If you are interested in being part of this committee, please email sdodson@lucasdd.org.
Support The Arc by Shopping at LIDS
In August, The Arc is working together with Lids—in stores nationwide—to tell the story of The Arc and their mission! Click the headline to see the various ways you can help.
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