Upcoming things to sign up to get involved with or make your voice heard thru surveys and public comment!

• Are you unavailable for our town halls this month? We’ve got another way for you to participate.
  By spending 10 minutes taking our Statewide Needs Assessment survey, you can help guide programs and services for Ohio’s older adults.
  Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ODANeedsAssessment

Events around Ohio to For August 13th-August 31st 2025

Tuesday August 12th 2025

• Early Childhood Open Play, Tuesday, Aug 12 · 10:45–11:45 AM, Repeats weekly Please join us for open play time on our playground! Children birth to age 6 enrolled in WCBDD services and their parents/caregivers are welcome to attend. Siblings under age 6 may also attend. Click this link to sign up .
• We Thrive Together will be hosting a tech talk on internet basics from 11 AM. to noon. You can use the link to Join the event.
• Breakingaking Silences Advocacy Committee meeting will take place on Zoom from 3-4 PM. If you’d like more information, contact Maria Matzik at:
  Maria.Matzik@acils.com

Wednesday August 13th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11:00-12:00pm
• Supported Decision Making Network of Ohio 12:00pm-1:30pm This is for anyone who is interested in knowing more about supported decision making. https://www.sdmno.org
• Map to Adulthood, Wednesday, Aug 13 · 1:00-4:00 PM 3325 Shawnee Rd
  Lima, OH 45806, USA for more information check out this link on Facebook.
• Webinar: Medicaid Cuts in H.R.1 – Updates for Aging Advocates, Wednesday, Aug 13 · 3:00-4:00pm For more information and Link to register .

Thursday August 14th 2025

• The 2025 Accessible Ohio Conference and Expo will take place on Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 from 8 AM. to 4 PM. at 2400 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
• We Thrive Together will be hosting a tech talk on the social media app X, formerly known as Twitter from 11 Am. to noon. To join, click the link to Join Event.
• OSDA Creative Changemakers will take place on Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 from 4:30 PM. to 5:30 PM. Notes Its a group of peers/self-advocates who meet once a month to hang out and talk about issues facing people with disabilities in Ohio This group supported by the Ohio Self-Determination Association. Change Makers was created by and is run by people with disabilities because they wanted to extend their advocacy conversations beyond the COOL meetings. Please Contact one of the emails listed   clareschloemer.osda@gmail.com 
    nrichards@clearwatercog.org 
   osda2011@gmail.com
• Butler County Board of DD Board Meeting, Thursday, Aug 14 · 6–8 PM, Repeats every month on the second Thursday 282 N Fair Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011-4222, United States Our regularly scheduled board meeting is at the Janet Clemmons Center at 282 N. Fair Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45013. To download the agenda, click this link: https://www.butlerdd.org/events/board-meetings/
• Disability Rights Peer Support Group, Thursday, Aug 14 · 6:00-7:30pm Independence Alliance hosts a virtual gathering once a month called the Disability Rights Peer Support Group. This group is for all ages and all disability types.
  Every meeting will focus on a different topic relating to disability and advocacy, such as housing rights, transportations rights, rights for students, rights as an employee, and more! Learn how to advocate for yourself and others on the topic of disability. Get your questions answered about reasonable accommodations, self-advocacy, and your rights under the law. Meet people in your community and work together to make the world more accessible. Hope to have you there!
  contact info@independence alliance.org
• Join us for our first Accessibility & Brews on Thursday, August 14th from 6:00-7:30pm at Esoteric Brewing in Walnut Hills. We will have an open discussion about what accessibility issues you have experienced in Greater Cincinnati and how we can take action to make things better! We will also take note of our venue and what sort of accessibility features it has and doesn’t have.
  This is a great opportunity to share your experiences in a safe group of people and to learn ways to advocate for more accessibility! Independence Alliance will provide some appetizers for the group, but drinks must be purchased separately by attendees.
  Register here to get on the email list with updates on where we are meeting each month: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mybgU_FvS0-ZdLqaI4xa79cPgwHYPSRLtOj7bmI35nZUMUpTMlhDM1JIWkhYMEFVV1lBR1ZUWkVPVi4u
  Information on the Venue for 8/14:
  Address: 918 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206
  Parking: Street parking available as well as a paid lot behind the venue. Pay using the kiosk or parking app.
  Public Transit: There are four bus stops nearby the venue.

Saturday August 16th 2025

• Things that Go Touch a Truck Event, Saturday, Aug 16 · 12–2 PM

Wednesday August 20th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11:00-12:00pm Wethrivetogether.org
• 👀 ➡ People First of Northeast Ohio invites you to join them Wednesday, August 20th at 6:30pm for an interactive workshop on AI and ChatGPT designed specifically for self-advocates (allies also welcome)!
  click link for the event .
  Questions? Contact Amy at Amy.Mordaunt@thearcofohio.org
  

Thursday August 21st 2025

• 🚗 Mahoning County: Let’s Talk Transportation!
  Do you rely on public transit—or help others who do? Your voice matters. Join us for the Coordinated Transportation Plan Public Meeting to share your experiences and help shape future services for seniors, people with disabilities, and all riders.
  📅 Thursday, August 21, 2025
  🕐 1 PM–3 PM
  📍 Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
  100 E. Federal St., Youngstown, OH 44503
  Accessible location. Language interpretation available—just ask!
  Questions? Contact Mirta Reyes-Chapman at mreyes-chapman@eastgatecog.org or (234) 254-1516.
  MahoningCounty

Monday August 25th 2025

• Waiver Modernization – interRAI Rollout for People Served and Families, Monday, Aug 25 · 12–1 AM for more information and to register click this link here.

Tuesday August 26th 2025

• Early Childhood Open Play, Tuesday, Aug 26 · 10:45–11:45 AM, Repeats weekly Please join us for open play time on our playground! Children birth to age 6 enrolled in WCBDD services and their parents/caregivers are welcome to attend. Siblings under age 6 may also attend.
  Sign up here:
• ASPE State Policy Coffee Talk, Tuesday, Aug 26 · 3–4 PM, Repeats every month on the last Tuesday
• Southwest Ohio Advocacy Group, Tuesday, Aug 26 · 6–8 PM, Repeats every month on the fourth Tuesday this month it is virtual please contact jen.powersalge@thearcofohio.org

Wednesday August 27th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11:00-12:00pm Wethrivetogether.org
• Essentials for the Solo Ager: Navigating Housing Options, Wednesday, Aug 27 · 5:00-7:00pm check out this link for more information.
• 🎖️ Learn How to Better Serve Those Who Served Us — Register Now!
  Join us for the Introduction to Veterans Benefits & Services — a comprehensive, two-day virtual workshop designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge to support veterans and their families.
  August 27 & 28
  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (both days)
  Live on Zoom
  Earn 5.5 CEUs (Social Workers & Nurses) 130 – CEUs included
  This course covers:
  State Veterans Affairs programs & eligibility
  Health & mental health services for veterans
  Navigating the benefits application process
  Community resources to assist veterans
  Don’t miss this opportunity — register now and enhance your ability to support veterans in your community:
  
• 📢 Attention Providers and County Boards!
  DODD invites you to attend an informational webinar about the upcoming switch to the interRAI assessment tool!
  In the session, you’ll learn how this transition will:
  ☑️ Improve assessments
  ☑️ Better match services to your needs
  ☑️ Strengthen Ohio’s waiver program
  📅 Webinar Dates:
  Providers- August 27 at 11 AM
  County Boards- September 2 at noon
  ASL (American Sign Language) and CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) will be provided, and sessions will be recorded.
  Don’t miss these important updates! Register now: https://bit.ly/425ZkOS
• Warren County board of developmental disabilities is holding an event that is a great way to come together to learn and support one another. It will take place Wednesday August 27th from 3:00pm-4:00pm.
  Click the link below to register:
  https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkc-mtqD4rE9PyI6bcXb9k8TstfixpVHvS#/registration

Thursday August 28th 2025

• LifeCourseConnect Webinar, Thursday, Aug 28 · 3:00-4:00pm Join DODD for a webinar on Thursday, on Thursday, August 28, at 3 PM to learn about Ohio LifeCourseConnect (LCC), a project that helps people with developmental disabilities make a life plan based on what matters most to a project that helps people with developmental disabilities make a life plan based on what matters most to them. This project was created with the help of DODD and uses Charting the LifeCourse planning tools. In this webinar, DODD will share what the department learned from a pilot project that included 63 people and their supporters from 29 counties in Ohio, between September 2024 and June 2025.
  You’ll hear how the project helped people build life plans focusing on their real goals, dreams, relationships, and support.
  If you need an accommodation, please email
  stacy.collins@dodd.ohio.gov
  Use the link to Register for the Session :
  
• Burlington House Healthcare Center will be hosting a Dementia Support Group on August 28th. The event is open to all and will be facilitated by Licensed Social Worker, Grace Hissett. Light refreshments and snacks will also be provided! 💜
  📆 Thursday, August 28 | 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  📍 2222 Springdale Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Friday August 29th 2025

• Sparkle for a Cause- A Kendra Scott Fundraiser Benefiting Positivity Spectrum check out more information through there Facebook link online.

Saturday August 30th 2025

Sunday August 31st 2025

Helpful Information by National, State and County Agencies and Organizations for People to Read

• Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Rare Diseases
• Cuyahoga Board of Developmental Disabilities Serves Get your exercise on at an inclusive event in the community.
  Visit link to find an event in our Online Resource Guide.
  

Open Housing List and Opportunities

• The Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority in Ohio is closing the Housing Choice Voucher Program on August 31, 2025. Go to the link and click “Apply On Agency Website” to apply.

August Awareness Causes

Children’s Eye Health And Safety Month

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness (SMA.) Month

Autoinflammatory Awareness Month

Psioriasis Action Month

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation And Leukemia Awareness Month

National Wellness Month

Organ And Tissue Donor Month

Digestion And Destigive Tract Paralysis Awareness Month

World Cancer Support Awareness Month

Awareness Days:

Aug. 1. World Lung Cancer Day

Aug. 7. National Purple Heart Day

Aug. 7. World Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia Disorder Day

Aug. 17. National Nonprofit Day

Aug. 19. World Humanitarian Day

Aug. 20. National Accessible Air Travel Day

Aug. 21. National Senior Citizens Day

Aug. 26. Women’s Day Of Equality

Aug. 30. International Overdose Awareness Day 

Aug. 30. National Grief Awareness Day

August Awareness Weeks:

• First Week Of August: National WIC. Breastfeeding Week 

• First Week Of August: World Breastfeeding Awareness Week

• National Wellness Week

• International Assistance Dog Week

• National Ecizema Week

• National Health Center Week

• International Assistance Dog Week

• Aug. 24th through Aug. 30th. Black Breastfeeding Week