Inspiring, empowering, and supporting people to achieve their full potential.
July 2021
PERSPECTIVES
DCBDD Updates
Accessible & Inclusive Playgrounds
Accessible and inclusive playgrounds allow all children to play alongside one another, which can help foster better understanding, friendship, and community. Below is a list of accessible and inclusive playgrounds in central Ohio:
Monthly Community Resource Feature
Big Red Safety Box
The National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge safety toolkit for families in the Autism community in need of wandering-prevention tools.

NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® includes: 
  • Educational materials and tools, including NAA’s Be REDy Booklet
  • Two (2) GE Door/Window Alarms including batteries
  • One (1) RoadID Bracelet or Shoe ID tag
  • Five (5) Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows
  • Two (2) Safety Alert Window Clings for car or home windows
  • One (1) Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

To request a Big Red Safety Box, click here. 
Monthly Technology First Feature
EaZyHold
EaZyHold is an innovative way to get a better grip onto many common objects. Accomplish daily living activities independently despite physical conditions or disabilities impacting grip strength. The universal cuff comes in multiple sizes for infants to seniors to help get a better grip on small to large objects. To learn more and to order, click here.
Assistive Technology (AT) Consultation
Do you have a barrier that might be able to be solved by AT? Make an appointment with DCBDD's Tech Committee for a quick consultation. To make an appointment, contact [email protected].
Community Events & Resources
Community Employment Grants Available
The Capabilities Charitable Fund is offering one-time grants of up to $500 to people with developmental disabilities ages 14 and up who are pursuing community employment. The grants will be administered by 19 Services, Inc., which is now accepting applications. Download the Grant Application here. Completed applications should be emailed to [email protected].
Summer Reading Club 2021: Tails and Tales
At the Delaware County District Library, readers of all ages are welcome to participate in the Summer Reading Club. Participants ages 0-17 are invited to join the Youth Summer Reading Club and those ages 18 and older can join the Adult Summer Reading Club. Check out the details including tracking, prizes and on-demand programs by clicking here. 
Adaptive Sports Connection
Registration for all July events is open! This year, Adaptive Sports Connection is opening their events in waves, so registration will open on the 15th of the month for the following month. To see a full list of opportunities and to register, visit the Participant Calendar.
Self Advocates of Delaware County
Summer Picnic
July 7
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
At the Beach at Alum Creek Park
Join the Self Advocates of Delaware County for their Summer Picnic! Click on the flyer for details, and contact Dawn Meigs with any questions.
Parents, Stay Positive!
July 8 - August 5
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is offering FREE online parenting support workshops for parents and caregivers of children July through September. To register, contact Action for Children at 614-382-2445 or [email protected].
Special Education Legal Clinic
July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In person or via Zoom
The Special Education Legal Clinic offers parents and guardians an opportunity to meet with a special education advocate or attorney in an open and welcoming environment to ask questions and discuss specific challenges related to education. Clinic staff members and volunteers will help guide parents and guardians through the special education process and provide resources to request and secure special education services. Click here for more information. 
Healthy Relationships Group
July 13 - August 31
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Secure Haven Behavioral Health is offering a therapy group for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn and practice social skills in a safe, confidential environment. For more information, contact Tammy Rakoczy at
614-721-5360.
SNAP-Ed Nutrition Nuggets
July 14 & July 28
DCBDD is partnering with the SNAP-Ed program at The Ohio State University Extension Office in Delaware to bring the program Nutrition Nuggets to the people we serve, providers, and interested members of the community. The program will teach participants how to make nutritious food choices within a limited budget and how to lead a physically active lifestyle. The virtual classes are free to all participants. To register for the last two sessions, click here.
Sensory Friendly Day at the
Columbus Zoo
July 18
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be observing "quiet hours" throughout the park to allow guests to enjoy the Zoo in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, without the typical sounds that can be challenging for individuals with sensory needs.
 
KultureCity Sensory Kits with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and fidget devices will be available upon request at our Guest Relations office near the main entrance of the Zoo. The kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis at no additional cost. Families can also download social stories and sensory maps by visiting the following link: https://bit.ly/2PigXcu.
Beyond the ADA - Creating Inclusive, Disability-Friendly Communities
July 26
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
As we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the signing of the ADA, we invite you to join us as we discuss what it takes to make our communities among the most inclusive, disability-friendly places to live, learn, work, worship and play for everyone. Learn from Dr. Phillip Stafford, an expert in creating livable communities. Hear about the experiences and successes of communities in Ohio who are moving forward on these initiatives. Free event, but registration is required. Click here to register.
TechSummit 2021
July 22-23
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Hear from families and experts, engage with vendors, and explore a smart home. Click here for more information and to register.
Family Advisory Council
September 15
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Family Advisory Council provides a forum for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to hear directly from family members about the issues that affect their lives and provides the opportunity to learn more about the department's current initiatives from executive staff. Click here for more information and to register.
OCALICON 2021
November 16-19
Registration is now open! OCALICON is the premier autism and disabilities conference where thousands of people from around the world come together to learn, network, and share research, best practices, and resources to support the life-long needs of individuals with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and sensory and low-incidence disabilities. Click here for more information and to register.
Discovery Series Archive
Did you miss one of the Discovery Series? Not to worry! All sessions are recorded and archived on our YouTube channel. Access the recordings by clicking here.
Advocacy Feature
On June 16, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown
re-introduced the Supplemental Security Income
Restoration Act
The SSI Restoration Act would:
  • Raise SSI's monthly benefits, currently $794 per month, to 100% of the federal poverty level--a 31% increase--and index them to inflation;
  • Update and index the assets individuals or couples may have up to $10,000 and $20,000, respectively. The current limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple has not been updated since 1989;
  • Update and index SSI's income rules -- which have never been updated since the program was signed into law in 1972;
  • Eliminate the marriage penalty and increase the benefit for married couples to double the individual rate, to put marriage equality within reach for SSI beneficiaries; and
  • Eliminate benefit reductions that penalize beneficiaries who receive in-kind help from friends or family, such as groceries or a place to stay.
For approximately 60% of recipients, SSI is their only source of income. To contact Senator Brown, click here.
COVID-19 Updates
DCBDD is keeping our COVID-19 webpage updated with new information and resources. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your DCBDD contact or call the main line 740-201-3600 for assistance.
Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities
7991 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035
740-201-3600
wwww.dcbdd.org
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