Cuyahoga DD Updates

September 1, 2022

Family Resource Fair

Cuyahoga DD will host a Family Resource Fair in October. The event is open to individuals and families served by Cuyahoga DD, agency and independent providers, and community partners.

Representatives from Cuyahoga DD departments will be available for informal Q&A. Get to know Cuyahoga DD providers, visit the Assistive Technology Vehicle, and see what equipment Occupational and Physical Therapy has available.

There will be plenty of fun activities for all, including a DJ, photo booth, balloon animals, and caricatures!

Please note: space is limited and registration is required for all attendees. Click the button below to register. We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

When: Saturday, October 15, 2022

Time: 10 AM - 4 PM

Where: Holiday Inn Rockside, 6001 Rockside Road, Independence 44131

Questions: call 216-941-2200

Family Registration

Independent Provider Registration

Cuyahoga DD Buildings to Close for Staff Training Sept. 13

On September 13, Cuyahoga DD buildings will be closed from 10 AM to 4 PM for staff training.

Playhouse Square Develops Sensory-Friendly Performances with Cuyahoga DD Partnership

Fox 8 recently featured Cuyahoga DD's Behavioral and Health Supports Psychologist Dr. Thomas Kelbley in a segment on the upcoming sensory-friendly performances of "Frozen" at Playhouse Square. See the video segment here.

In November 2013, Playhouse Square and Cuyahoga DD first partnered to develop sensory-friendly performances of popular shows. This initiative increases access and inclusion for people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by a traditional theater experience. The first sensory-friendly performance at Playhouse Square was December 2013’s “A Christmas Carol.” On September 3, a sensory-friendly performance of "Frozen" will delight audiences.

Playhouse Square’s sensory-friendly performance of "Frozen" will also feature:

Special ticket pricing
Lower sound and light levels and no strobe effects
Theater lights are left on low throughout the performance
Audience members can make noise, stand and move around, and use electronic devices
Designated calming areas staffed by volunteer specialists
A welcoming, judgment-free environment for all patrons
Freedom for guests to talk, leave their seats and move freely during the performance

Cuyahoga DD is proud to partner with Playhouse Square for this important inclusion initiative and is grateful for the work of Dr. Kelbley. In addition to sensory-friendly performances, Dr. Kelbley worked with Playhouse Square to create a series of resource videos to help people explore different ways to relax and manage stress. These videos —and other visit-planning tools to help individuals with sensory challenges prepare for a trip to the theater— are available on the Playhouse Square website.

For more information, including upcoming sensory-friendly events at Playhouse Square click here. For tickets to the sensory-friendly performance of "Frozen" click below.

Tickets

Empower Pop-Ups

Cuyahoga DD Empower Pop-Ups were held at provider partners Koinonia and SAW last month. The goal of Empower Pop-Ups is to encourage self-advocacy and for people to learn something new. The events included a variety of activities, informational booths, employment information, swag bags and shaved ice!

All Empower Pop-Ups include:

“I know me best” self-advocacy activity
Community partner Try-It activities (sports and art)
Online Resource Guide Wheel of Fortune game

Group of people participating in sport activity outdoors

Planting Seeds of Knowledge

September

Planting Seeds of Knowledge educational forum on September 14 at 6 PM will be a series for parents and caregivers.

Come learn about Activities of Daily Living: Independence and Fall Prevention, and Maintaining an Active Household.

August

In case you missed August's Planting Seeds of Knowledge Parent and Caregiver presentations, click the video below.

View all of 2022's PSOK presentations on our website.

Annual Report 2021

We're pleased to share our 2021 Annual Report, containing information on the number of people served, revenue and expenditures, outcomes achieved and more. Click the button below to read the report.

Annual Report

ADA Cleveland March For Access

Cuyahoga DD, a member of ADA Cleveland, invites the Disability Community of Northeast Ohio and everyone who supports equal services for all people to attend the March for Access on Saturday, September 10 in Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

The event begins at 9 AM with registration and sign making for the march. The rally will start at 11 AM followed by the march, which will circle a few blocks around Public Square. The event will end with advocacy stations for: transportation access, housing access and voting access. Food trucks will also be on site.

This is a fully inclusive event, with ASL interpretation and captioning, a wheelchair charging station, accessible restrooms and face masks. Free parking and accessible shuttle service will be provided from Cuyahoga DD at 1275 Lakeside Avenue.

ADA Cleveland is a coalition of agencies and organizations from Greater Cleveland who share in the mission to provide greater access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities. The March for Access will spotlight housing access, transportation access and voting access for people with disabilities in Greater Cleveland. This event will feature speakers and solutions on these issues and provide information on how to support increased access for individuals with disabilities.

Everyone is invited to attend this free event. We encourage early sign-up in the link below, but you can also register on-site the morning of the event.

People First of Ohio: Cuyahoga County September Advocacy Events

In partnership with People First of Cuyahoga County and The Arc of Ohio, Cuyahoga DD invites you to two upcoming Advocacy Events. Programs are designed for ages 16 and up. Sign language interpreter and accommodations available upon request. Click here to view the flyer.

Join ADA Cleveland's March for Access on Saturday, September 10 at 9 AM - 2 PM

More information in the story above

Virtual Meet-Up on Wednesday, September 21 at 1 - 2 PM

Make new friends.
Topic: Let's talk about the rally and Barrier Free Cleveland
Upcoming events

Join meeting

Independent Provider Meet and Greet

The Virtual Independent Provider Meet and Greet is on Wednesday, September 7 at 10 AM. Come meet IPs who will meet your needs!

Registration is not required. To attend the meeting click the button below. Click here to see all upcoming dates and for the contact information of the IPs from last month's meeting.

Join Meeting

background picture of woman at desk at desktop on virtual call.

Cuyahoga DD to Offer Five Synergy Ohio 2022 Conference Scholarships

The 2022 Synergy Ohio Conference is an incredible event designed to create an environment of collaboration, innovation, and growth. The conference is on October 5 - 7 at Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio.

At the conference, attendees can enjoy:

Nationally Renowned Speakers
Live Music and food
Unique, Collaborative Learning Experiences
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Continuing Professional Development Hours
Ohio Social Work Board CEUS offered

Cuyahoga DD is offering five conference scholarships. Each scholarship includes full conference registration (3 days) and hotel rooms at Kalahari (2 nights: October 5 and 6) for one person with a developmental disability and one ally.

Attendees are responsible for their own transportation and for meals outside of what is provided by the conference.

To apply for a chance to receive a scholarship, please complete and submit the application in the link below by September 14 at 5 PM. Scholarship recipients will be notified by phone on September 21.

If you have any questions about the scholarship, please contact Diane at 216-736-2690 or via e-mail here. To view the scholarship flyer click here.

Learn more about Synergy Ohio on their website. View all sessions here.

Scholarship Application

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron has returned through October 26. ReelAbilities is a film festival promoting awareness of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Celebrating its 5th year, ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron will offer in-person screenings and programs in BOTH cities!

Film screenings have open captions and ASL interpretation (upon request). All events are free and open to the public. Check out their website for an up-to-date list of accommodations, locations, and short films being screened at each event by clicking here.

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Todd Earle

Custodian

"I have been able to help and work with so many great people over the years."

Diana

Professional Clinical Counselor

"I enjoy being able to interact with individuals, their families, and providers to determine the best outcomes for each individual whose planning team I am part of."

Provider Shoutout

Life Changing Care has provided positive experiences when working with Cuyahoga DD staff. Our staff has found them to be insightful, creative, responsive and committed in the toughest of circumstances! Learn more about them by contacting them via email here.