The 5th Annual LCSO Golf Scramble is tomorrow!

Grab your team and your golf clubs and get ready for some fun that directly benefits Lucas County Special Olympics! The 5th annual golf scramble is Saturday, July 27. Click the headline for more details!

The next EI Summer Playgroup is Wednesday!

Lucas DD's Early Intervention team welcomes everyone to the remaining inclusive Summer Playgroups. 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! Remaining dates, from 10 a.m. to noon are:

• July 31 at Glass City Metropark,
• August 12 at Side Cut Metropark*.

*Please note the location of our August 12 playgroup location was changed due to the number of pre-registrations.

Last Chance to Sign Up for Project STIR in Toledo!

Only a few spots left!! Project STIR is a training program for self-advocates designed to provide people with disabilities with the tools to advocate for themselves, work with others in advocacy and gain leadership experiences. This FREE training (for ages 16+ only) takes place August 7 - 9 in Toledo. Registrants must attend all 3 days.

Supervision is not included; it is recommended that individuals attend with an ally. Registration required; space is limited. Once registration has closed, all details will be forwarded to the participants.

Mattel Adds Innovative Blind Barbie to Its Fashionistas Doll Line

American toy giant Mattel has announced the addition of a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down Syndrome to its Fashionistas doll line. Fashionistas represents the brand’s most innovative and diverse doll line and features dolls with a variety of skin tones, hair textures, body diversity and disabilities encompassing 175 distinct looks. The idea is to foster a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion helping children to better appreciate the breadth and diversity of the world around them through imagination and play.

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice is coming to Ohio

The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 will be in Ohio from August 6 - 8 and then on August 22 - 24. Stops are planned for Toledo, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus. Their mission is to build community and coalition through education, awareness, and empowerment.

Governor DeWine highlights Accessible Ohio initiative at Expo

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine served as the opening speaker for the first-ever Accessible Ohio Conference & Expo on July 23, 2024. The conference, hosted by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), showcased ways to make Ohio’s businesses, communities, venues, and attractions accessible and inclusive for all Ohioans, including Ohioans with disabilities. During his remarks, Governor DeWine discussed the Accessible Ohio initiative. Through Accessible Ohio, a team of specialists provides free guidance to make accessibility a reality in more communities across Ohio. There is an Accessible Ohio Feedback Forum on August 21; registration is required.

Tech Summit in Columbus next month

The 2024 Tech Summit will be on August 16, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (vendor hall and registration open at 8 a.m.), at the Marriott Columbus on OSU's campus. The Tech Summit offers attendees a chance to learn about current and emerging technology solutions to support people with developmental disabilities who want more independence in their lives. 

August Rec Jam scheduled

Have you marked your calendar yet? The August Rec Jam is August 28 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Centennial Terrace. No registration required. See you there!

Autistic Adult Night-Bowling & Cornhole

Avenues for Autism is hosting an evening of fun on August 2 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. This event is a valuable opportunity for adults on the autism spectrum, age 18 and older, to explore new possibilities. Registration required.

Inclusive Playground Dance Party Fundraiser next Friday

Dust off your leg warmers and neon colors or break out your flannel and grunge gear—this is your chance to showcase your favorite decade attire! Whether you’re an 80s fanatic or a 90s enthusiast, there’s something for everyone. The party is from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, August 2, but tickets are on sale now. It’s going to be a night to remember! A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Stranahan Parent Teacher Association of Sylvania. Their mission is to develop an inclusive and accessible outdoor playground that allows both typically developing children and children with special needs a place to play alongside one another. The playground will address physical accessibility, as well as sensory, social-emotional & cognitive accessibility.

DSAGT New Parent Breakfast

All new parents who have a child with Down Syndrome are invited to learn more about the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) and how they serve those in our community. The New Parent Breakfast is on August 3 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Click here to register.

Lucas DD Adult Day Program Grant Deadline is Wednesday

The next cycle of the 2024 Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Adult Day Grant application process ends on Wednesday, July 31! 

Funding is capped at $50,000 for each grant cycle, not to exceed $10,000 per award. Awarded funds will be distributed directly from the Lucas County DD ADA Grant Fund.

The goal of the grants is to help fund technologies and/or programs that expand and/or enhance Adult Day and/or Employment services, promote community integration and community employment, and/or helps people achieve their goals related to Adult Day/Employment services & supports. 

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 and one of the specialists will contact you soon.

Nationwide Search Engines for Disability Resources

My Needs Network

My Needs Network is committed to empowering the special needs community by providing the tools and resources necessary for improved quality of life.

Support Now

Browse a free, up-to-date database of grants. Customize your list to only show grants that fit your family.

Parent to Parent

The Parent to Parent mission is to support a national network of Parent to Parent programs to ensure access to quality emotional support for families of individuals with disabilities and/or special health care needs.

Lucas DD Parent Support

To learn about additional grants and funding resources such as the ones above, please reach out to Tammy Eisenreich at teisenreich@lucasdd.org or 419-356-3824.

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 Saturday, August 17 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Findlay. Must be at least 14 years old, and some positions require experience with keeping books. Please click on the headline for more information or to sign up today!

OCALI Collaborative Video Project

The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI)'s Center for the Young Child (CYC) invites you to submit videos of your child participating in different activities. Capture mealtime, bedtime, playtime, or other daily rituals to help shed light on the incredible milestones and developmental stages that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers experience. Your footage can help provide practical, real-world examples that showcase the diverse ways in which children, of all abilities, learn and grow.

The Ability Center needs volunteers for Family Fun Day

This is an event for families who have children 12 and under providing extra support for families who have a child with a disability. It will be a carnival style event with food and games. There are a variety of volunteer positions to be filled between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on August 24.

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

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419-380-4000

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