Updates from Cuyahoga DD

September 5, 2023

RISE Program Launches at Cleveland State University

This fall, approximately 10 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will begin their studies at Cleveland State University through the Reciprocal Inclusive Student Experience (RISE) program.

Cuyahoga DD has worked with CSU for over two years to design the program and support its implementation. RISE will provide young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities an authentic college experience to learn alongside their peers in a post-secondary setting. For questions, contact Heidi Ksiezyk-Skrada, Support Administration Manager at KSIEZYK-SKRADA.HEIDI@cuyahogabdd.org.

Northeast Ohio Coalition of Disability Organization March For Access

The Northeast Ohio Coalition of Disability Organizations invites the people with disabilities living in Northeast Ohio and everyone who supports equal access to services for all people to attend the March for Access on Saturday, September 23 at Public Square in Downtown Cleveland.

The event begins at 10 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 feature four Art Advocacy Stations, which include a Cleveland skyline mural, multiple collective art canvasses, t-shirt decorating, wheelchair and assistive/mobility device bedazzling, recycled instrument creation, and more!

This is a fully inclusive event, with ASL interpretation and captioning, a wheelchair charging station, an adult changing comfort station, and multiple accessible restrooms. Free parking and accessible shuttle service will be provided by the Cuyahoga DD at 1275 Lakeside Avenue.

NOCDO 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 the disability community 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. Find more information about the March for Access, visit nocdo.org.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium Sensory Friendly Saturday

Greater Cleveland Aquarium Sensory Friendly Saturday is on September 23 from 8:30 - 9:30 AM.

They are opening an hour early exclusively for guests with sensory needs.

Fewer guests, limited microphone use, softened lighting, reduced noise and a quiet area will create a comfortable accepting environment. Purchase your limited ticket below.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium was recently certified sensory inclusive by KultureCity, an internationally recognized organization that promotes an accommodating and positive experience for guests with sensory issues. To achieve certification, the Aquarium’s staff underwent training to recognize guests with sensory needs and handle sensory overload situations.

KultureCity sensory bags outfitted with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards are now available to borrow as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. Dedicated areas also have been identified for those who may require a quieter environment.

Tickets

Save the Date Family and Provider Resource Expo

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Cuyahoga DD Family and Provider Resource Expo.

When: Saturday, October 14

Time: 10 AM to 3 PM

More details to come!

Family Fun Fair in October

Cuyahoga DD is hosting its last Family Fun Fair of 2023 on October 22 at Big Creek Center at 1 PM.

This FREE event is for families with children ages 14 and under with DD to meet and connect with each other, learn about Cuyahoga DD and HAVE FUN!

Registration is required and space is limited. Click the button below to register.

People sitting on blanket participating with music instruments

Online Resource Guide to Inclusive Places, Jobs and Events

Did you know that on the Cuyahoga DD website, you can find a list of places, jobs and events that are inclusive and accessible?

The places listed are organizations that are part of our All Means All initiative. These places are verified by our Community Development team as inclusive and accessible.

Find a community job that meets your needs. Our Workforce Development team networks with and assists local businesses in fulfilling their hiring needs by connecting them with people with developmental disabilities seeking employment.

Find inclusive, accessible and fun events all year round. Join your community virtually or in person to build friendships, connections and experiences.

To view each category click on the button below.

Places

Jobs

Events

Let's Get TOgether August

Cuyahoga DD recently hosted its second Let’s Get TOgether networking event at Forest City Shuffleboard. The Let’s Get TOgether program allowed participants to learn about different types of relationships while trying shuffleboard.

Our Behavioral Health and Community Development teams led the event.

Share Your Story with Cuyahoga DD!

Do you or your loved one want to be showcased on Cuyahoga DD's social media pages and promotional materials? Share your story and images with us to be featured and to express how Cuyahoga DD supports you or your loved one.

The form can only be completed by an adult served, or by a guardian or parent of a person served by Cuyahoga DD. Click below to share your pictures and story with us.

Form

Empower Pop-Ups: Self-Expression and Advocacy

In August, Cuyahoga DD Empower Pop-Ups were hosted by Koinonia and HELP Foundation.

The goal of Empower Pop-Ups is to encourage self-advocacy and learning. Empower Pop-Ups personal-choice advocacy activities include:

creating tools for leading individual service plans
living more independently with assistive technology
finding employment and community activities
health and fitness opportunities
voting rights and responsibilities
financial literacy
self-expression

We welcomed recreation and arts-and-culture community partners, staff, and volunteers.

We Want to Hear from You!

Have you recently interacted with Cuyahoga DD staff as part of receiving services and supports from the board? Please let us know how we are doing. Complete the short survey below for each staff member you worked with.

Survey

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron

ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron has returned through October 19. ReelAbilities is a film festival promoting awareness of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Celebrating its 6th year, ReelAbilities Film Festival: Cleveland and Akron will offer in-person screenings and programs in BOTH cities!

All events are free and open to the public. Check out their website for an up-to-date list of accommodations, locations, and films being screened at each event by clicking here.

Empower DD Podcast

In the latest episode, we chat with Amy O'Neal, the senior director of health strategies for Special Olympics Ohio. You learn more about Special Olympics' Healthy Athletes program, how Cuyahoga DD is partnering with the organization, and how people we support can enroll in sports programming.

Empower DD discusses navigating the developmental disability field, exploring new technologies, and hearing stories from people living, learning, working and playing in their community.

Subscribe and listen anywhere podcasts are found.

Episode 12

Independent Provider Meet and Greets

Virtual Independent Provider Meet and Greets are at two meeting times, 10 AM - 12 PM and 5 - 7 PM.

The next IP Meet and Greet opportunities are on September 6 and October 4. Come meet IPs who will meet your needs! To attend the meeting click the button below.

Join Meeting

left, photo of a person on virtual call on desktop. Left, plumberry background with arrow graphic and white text, Independent Provider Virtual Meet & Greet.

Books with Inclusive Stories, Messaging, and Representation

These books are inclusive messaging, stories and representation. These books are joyful, fun to read, and selected from an anti-bias and anti-racism perspective. Check out these books at your local library.

Read Aloud, 0-8 Years

Fitting In by Haruka Aoki

Picture Book Biographies

Alicia Alonso Dances On by Rose Viña

Board Books

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison & Jessica Ralli

Middle School and Emerging Readers

Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly

Teen

Like Water by Rebecca Podos

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Marli,

IT Support Technician

"I love that I help keep the staff up and running which allows them to better serve the individuals in our community. Our individuals are the reason that we’re all here!"

Diane Williams,

Community Relations Information Specialist

"I like working at Cuyahoga DD for the many opportunities I've been afforded to learn along the way and all the people who have supported me!"

Provider Shoutouts

New Avenues to Independence, Inc. received multiple shout-outs! Learn more at newavenues.net.

“Tanya P. at New Avenues works the best with me. She is kind and patient. She always takes me on outings. She ensures that I get my medications and makes me feel loved.” – Shawn

"New Avenues has helped with providing me and my friends with a new home that has technology that will help me advance the development of my everyday life and skills.” - Arthur

A parent of someone we serve wants to shout out Blossom Hill Inc.

They said, “I appreciate the hard work and dedication that Blossom Hill has for my loved one! They are fantastic. They advocate and truly treat each person as family. You can feel the love when you walk into the homes.”

Learn more about Blossom Hill at blossom-hill.org.