Autism Night at Imagination Station on August 22

Join Imagination Station for Autism Family Support Group Night, an inclusive evening where individuals identified with ASD and their families can enjoy the science center and learn together. On August 22 from 4:30 - 6 p.m., explore the exhibits, engage in hands-on activities and watch a sensory-friendly film in the KeyBank Discovery Theater. Admission is $5 (free for members). Advance registration required (even for members). Please register/purchase ticket(s) by clicking here.

Game Night on August 22

The Ability Center is hosting a TRIVIA and GAME NIGHT with pizza! Get together for fun, food, laughs and lots of games! There will be trivia, playing video games, cards and board games August 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. for young adults (ages 18-24). $5 program fee. Click here to register (please note dietary needs so they can be accommodated). For questions, contact Laurie Kimura at Lkimura@abilitycenter.org or 419-885-5733 ext. 145. 

Lucas DD's Final Summer Playgroup on August 23

Join Lucas DD staff for the final summer playgroup! Open to all families and their children. We will be meeting at KidSpace inside Imagination Station in downtown Toledo on August 23 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. (Families must cover cost to enter the facility.) No registration is required! If you have a Development Specialist, you can contact them for updates to the playgroup, or click here to view more information.

Disability Connect Meeting (Virtual) on August 23

Disability Connect is a gathering for DODD leaders to hear directly from the people they support, their families, and allies about issues affecting their lives. It is also a chance to learn more about different projects and resources at DODD and across Ohio's government, while making connections to help everyone live their good life. Disability Connect will meet virtually on August 23 from 3 - 4 p.m. Click here for full details/registration link.

Art on the Lawn August 25

The Toledo Museum of Art will be hosting Ability Center for an outdoor art experience on the lawn. From 6 - 8 p.m. on August 25, children can see the sculpture garden, make a sculpture, draw, and paint. Come early if you want to eat dinner in the Art Museum Café (kid-friendly and veg-friendly options available). Suggested ages: families with children 12 and under. Click here to register. For questions, click here to email Jennifer Engelmann or call 419.885.5733.

University of Toledo Victory Day August 26

In preparation for another fantastic football season and school year, the University of Toledo Football team will be hosting Victory Day 2023 – an event that allows area youth/students with disabilities to learn more about the game of football by spending some special time ‘teamed-up’ with a Rocket football player. Toledo Football Victory Day is set for Saturday, August 26. You must register and spots are limited! Click here for full details and registration page.

Positively Portable Preschool on August 26

The Ability Center is having a Positively Portable Preschool! Bring out your youngsters to the East Toledo Family Center from 10 - 11 a.m. on August 26 for a fun, imaginative, engaging, learning, dancing, singing, moving and grooving time. Lead by Teacher Denice, a talented Early Childhood Teacher. Families and children of all abilities are welcome. Registration is not required. For questions, click here to email Jennifer Engelmann or call 419.885-5733. 

Shine a Light on Hate on August 27

Organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo's Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio and working together with over a dozen community partners, Shine a Light on Hate: Creating a Compassionate Community is a response to the significant recent increase in violence, harassment, and intimidation against a variety of groups. The event on August 27 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. includes a keynote address, three rounds of breakout sessions offering multiple opportunities to learn about specific community issues, and a concluding panel. Click here for full details or click here to register for this FREE event.

Lucas DD Board Meeting August 28

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 at its Larc Lane Training Center, 1155 Larc Lane (Entrance O) in Toledo. This public meeting is in-person only, and the public is welcome to attend.

Grant Workshop Wednesday on August 30

On August 30 at noon, Lucas DD Parent Support Staff Tammy Eisenreich will be talking with Michael Rychener from Sara's Garden about their amazing programs and how parent sponsorships have helped families obtain funding for such things as Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. Click here for full details and zoom link.

Lucas DD Summer Rec Jam is Aug. 30!

Our always popular Summer Rec Jam returns to Centennial Terrace, 7 - 9 p.m. on Aug. 30. This FREE dance party is for anyone 18 and older. Concessions will be available at a reduced price (no outside food allowed). Registration is required. For more and info and to register, click here.

Lucas DD Fall Pool League Begins August 31

Get ready for the Lucas DD pool league! This awesome group meets on Thursday evenings, 6 - 8 p.m. from August 31 to November 9. No registration necessary, just come out for some fun! Click here for more details. Questions? Click here to email an organizer.

Lucas DD Closed September 4

The Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be closed Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. On-call staff are available 24/7 on our Emergency/After Hours line at 419-380-5100.

Fall Theatre Workshop Registration Open

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! The big showcase will take place on October 12. Classes run weekly on Thursdays from 5:40-6:40 p.m. at the UToledo Center for the Performing Arts starting September 7. To learn more and sign up, visit OpenSpot’s registration page. Please note there is a suggested class fee, but this is not required to participate.

Recovery is Beautiful Festival on September 9

Celebrate Recovery Month with Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County! They are having a Recovery is Beautiful festival, which is free and family-friendly, on September 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.! You'll find face painting, bouncy houses, snacks, music, games and more! No registration required. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Fall Festival on September 17

Lucas DD is having a Fall Festival on Sunday, September 17 from noon - 4 p.m. Mark your calendars now, you will want to be there! At this fun, family-friendly, inclusive event there will be a kickball tournament, Elsa & Batman appearances, a DJ, sensory activities, and more! Click here to see further details.

Parent Advocacy Training Series begins September 19

Mercy Health is offering a Parent Advocacy Training Series on Tuesdays between September 19-October 24. Sessions run from either 9-11 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. Participation is free and space is limited. Registration is open now! Please contact Tammy at 419-251-2469 or tamara_mckittrick@mercy.com to register. Click here for full details.

Lucas DD Common Ground Social Group on September 19

Lucas DD's Common Ground and Friend Network is for people 18+ to gather together and build lasting, sustainable friendships and connections. The two meetings were a wonderful success! The last gathering for this session is at our Larc Lane campus on September 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned as additional dates will be announced. If you are interested in joining this group, please click here to sign up today! (If you previously registered, there is no need to re-register.) Questions? Contact your SASS or click here to email Deb Tyree.

Wealth and Wisdom class on September 20

September's Wealth & Wisdom topic is: Social Security Disability Insurance: The Basics and More. This free class is presented by Lucas DD as part of our Wealth and Wisdom series. Class will be held in person at 1154 Larc Lane, in the Multi-Purpose Room, and includes a free meal (if desired)! Remote option is also available, if preferred. Print materials will be provided. Click here to reserve your spot.

Phoenix Residential Talent Show September 26

The "Keepin' It Real" talent show is back! This talent show is not just for Phoenix Residential clients. Practices take place on Thursdays at the Phoenix Residential office from 6p-8p. Click here to purchase tickets online. Tickets are $5 but the first 200 sold are $3. Click here for full details.

SAVE THE DATE!

Lucas DD is having a Transition Summit on November 8! Stay tuned if you are curious about the transition process and/or are around the transition age (16-20 years old). Click here for more details.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio

A strong literacy foundation can prepare Ohio’s youngest learners for lifelong success. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio mails kids one free book each month until his or her 5th birthday. Any child in Ohio between birth and age 5 is eligible for the program, which is available at no cost to families. The program is a 501 (c)3 organization. Click here to enroll.

Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment Educational Savings Program

The ACE application window for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program provides qualifying families with a $1,000 credit per child. These funds can be used to pay for a variety of educational activities designed to help accelerate learning for children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stipends are available for all students in Ohio ages 6-18, whose family makes at or lower than 300% of the poverty level. Click here to learn more or apply.

Think College: A post-HS graduation option

What if every young adult with intellectual disabilities saw college as an option? The “Think Higher. Think College.” campaign is designed to build awareness and expand access to college for students with intellectual disabilities. The goals are to increase knowledge of inclusive college options (and there are options in Northwest Ohio!), share information about the benefits and outcomes of students with intellectual disabilities attending college, and offer people ways to spread the message: “Think Higher. Think College.”. Click here to learn more.

DREAM Disability Media Project

The Ability Center, along with the Williams and Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries, present DREAM (Disability Representation, Education, and Awareness in Media), which is a disability media project designed to ensure children’s books created by, for, and about people with disabilities are available and easy to find at schools, libraries, and community spaces. The goal of the DREAM school program is to continue fostering inclusion and normalizing disability. Celebrate creativity, diversity, and inclusion through books. Click here to download a (free) lesson and view the list of books.

State of the Art Leadership Conference seeks Nominations

Know someone making an impact in the field of inclusive higher education? Nominate them for a State of the Art Leadership Award! These annual awards recognize self-advocates, early career scholars, IPSE program administrators, and anyone else who has led local and national charges to expand access and opportunity for students with intellectual disability. Nominations are due by September 1. Learn more about the awards and get the nomination form by clicking here.

DODD is seeking members to serve on the Family Advisory Council

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is seeking members to serve on the Family Advisory Council (FAC) Core Group. People with disabilities and their family members are encouraged to express their interest by completing the following application.

Interested applicants should review the following information that outlines the purpose of FAC and FAC Core Group, the FAC Core Group's composition and member responsibilities, and the review and selection process. Deadline is August 31. Click here for full details.

Volunteers needed for tomorrow's Shoe Fest

Can you volunteer a few hours of your time to help make this event a success? Multiple positions need to be filled, from set up to tear down and everything in between. Click here to sign up or contact Sue Shrewsbery by calling 419.691.0613, ext. 101 or emailing Sue.

People First of Toledo seeks volunteers

People First of Toledo is proud to be working hand-in-hand with local organizations (Toledo Humane Society and Family House) to make our community better. Email Quinn Thomas to learn more about volunteering at the next volunteer day.

Amtrak seeks input on new train designs

Amtrak is seeking approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make their new, intercity trains more accessible than current ADA regulations mandate.  As part of the approval process, Amtrak is seeking public comments about accessible train travel. Read the full design standards first or go to their comment form and let the Federal Railroad Administration know how more-accessible train travel would benefit you. Comments must be entered by September 5.

Peace Pals International Seeks Artwork by Children

Youth (ages 5-16) from around the world are invited to submit their artwork to the Peace Pals International Art Exhibition and awards for 2023. This year they have partnered with Unity Earth, a global network on a mission to accelerate the realization of unity and peace on Earth. Inspired by the world’s wisdom traditions and born out of the desire to meet global-sized challenges with global-sized solutions, the network is built to amplify the reach and impact of peace-aligned organizations and individuals. Deadline to submit artwork is August 31. For full details, click here.

Comments Requested regarding the Standards for Accessible MDE

The U.S. Access Board has extended its notice of proposed rulemaking on standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE), addressing one provision on the low transfer surface height for certain types of MDE. Public comments are now due by 8/31. Learn more at the Federal Register or view the proposed rule here.

Video of the Week

Did you see Lucas DD on The Nine?

Lucas DD Community Inclusion and Employment Manager Lori Balogh and Cassandra Wilson talked live on 13abc about the upcoming film festival! Check it out here.

Quote of the Week

"What makes you unique makes you beautiful!"

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