Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities Offers Virtual Tour of Twin Tech 2.0 

Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities features a virtual tour of their Twin Tech 2.0 Home on their website. They recently completed a video walk-through of the home as well, and that can be seen here. Wood County’s Twin Tech 2.0 Home is also going to be on one of the centerpieces of a Regional Technology Hub they are creating in FY 24/25, thanks to a DODD Regional Tech Hub grant. 

Innovative Technology Solutions FY23 Grantees Discuss Accomplishments 

Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD), Cuyahoga County Board of DD, Goodwill Columbus, Hancock County Board of DD, Mahoning County Board of DD, OnSeen, Scioto Trails, and Wood County Board of DD received Innovative Technology Solutions grants in FY 2023. The Innovative Technology Solutions grant project focuses on increasing the use of innovative technologies within service delivery and operations aimed at enhancing the lives of people with developmental disabilities. The projects ranged from supporting guardians to learn more about supportive technology (in Cuyahoga County) to providing access to technology-related experiences for people being supported (at Scioto Trails). To read more about each grantees’ projects and accomplishments, click here. DODD will be facilitating a panel discussion among all grantees on February 21, from 12 PM to 1:30 PM. 

Regional Technology Hub Grant Recipients Discuss Their Projects

Easterseals Redwood, Lumicare, Mid-East Ohio Regional Council (MEORC), North East Ohio Network (NEON), REM, Shelby and Champaign Boards of Developmental Disabilities (DD), Wood County Board of DD, and Wynn-Reeth were selected as the recipients of the Regional Technology Hubs Grant through DODD. Earlier this month, representatives from all organizations met to discuss each Tec Hub they are creating. You can access a recording of the kickoff discussion with passcode: OQR=?yc7. 

Ohio Tech Ambassadors In-Person Event Explores “AI”  

On Friday, February 2, 2024, from 10 AM to 12 PM, the Ohio Tech Ambassadors will be presenting an in-person event titled, “Tech and AI for Independence & Advocacy” at the Auburn Career Center, 8140 Auburn Rd, Concord, OH 44077. For more information about other Ohio Tech Ambassadors events, click here. 

Adult Day Support Quality Pilot Project Supports Technology for Providers 

Ability Matters is one of the agencies participating in the ADS Quality Pilot Program. They utilized their technology funds to purchase a Smart Board and iPads. Lashana Stevens, the Quality Manager at Ability Matters, is pictured here with their Smart Board which is used on a daily basis during daily morning meetings to organize the day. The iPads are used in a variety of ways within the organization such as checking in/out people when they arrive to/depart from day services, reviewing ISPs, tracking daily activities through Google Classroom, inputting ideas for new places to explore in the community, etc. Utilizing the Smart Board and iPads has created efficiencies and has allowed the agency to address some systemic issues that have come to light due to the use of technology. The Smart Board and iPads assist with organization and communication across the agency on a daily basis and have been an asset to moving forward with the Quality Pilot.

Request for Proposals for Transformative Technology Solutions  

DODD is seeking proposals from eligible applicants to extend critical and administrative technology across the state of Ohio to improve service delivery and health monitoring for people with developmental disabilities. The overall objective of this project is to address existing gaps, promote the integration of technology, and enhance support options to provide more effective, efficient, and accessible supports for Ohioans with developmental disabilities. The RFP can be found here. An informational meeting will be hosted on 01/24/2024 at 3:00pm. To participate in this meeting please join using the ZoomGov meeting link below:

Meeting ID: 161 215 7550

Passcode: 782343

If accommodations are needed for the informational meeting, please email stacy.collins@dodd.ohio.gov.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 21, 2024 BY 12:00 PM.

Rufus the Robot was developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Holly Gastgeb, who works with children who have autism spectrum disorder. This kid-friendly app allows children with different abilities and challenges to work on learning colors and numbers—and even helps them with interpersonal challenges, such as processing emotions.

Ohio Technology First Assistive Technology Community of Practice - February 9

The Ohio Tech First Community of Practice Assistive Technology sub-group provides an opportunity to connect, learn, and network with representatives from Assistive Tech providers/vendors, lending libraries, tech demo rooms, and smart homes. Please join us on February 9 at 2 PM. Check out the Ohio Technology First Community of Practice Padlet here.