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

• There’s only two more weeks to submit to Issue 8 of Imagine the World as One: A Disability Lifestyle Magazine! Please send us your articles about
  “Submit articles at http://www.imaginetheworldasonemagazine.com or email them to imaginetheworldasonemagazine@gmail.com Fashion Employment Product reviews Money Accessibility Dating Relationships Advocacy Art Between 2000-3000 Words Please send us your articles about disability and…. Submit your article at imaginetheworldasonemagazine.com Due September 30, 2025
• Ohioans can take the Ohio Department of Aging Statewide Needs Assessment Survey to enable the department to better understand what matters most to older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. Feedback from those digital surveys will be used to further bolster the 2027-2030 State Plan on Aging. Click this link to do the survey.
• Clermont County Board of DD is doing a survey to understand the challenges individuals face in achieving self-sufficiency, maintaining health, and ensuring safety. The information gathered will help inform programs and services designed to address these barriers in the community. Your responses are confidential and will be used only for the purposes of improving services.
  https://forms.office.com/g/GnZ6Uw35dz
• The 2026 Accessible Expressions Ohio Call for Art is officially OPEN!
  What is Accessible Expressions Ohio?
  Accessible Expressions Ohio is a statewide adjudicated exhibition featuring art from artists with disabilities from across the state. Artists can enter in the youth, emerging, or professional categories, and enter under a special theme category. Cash prizes are awarded in each category, including a Best in Show.
  Who can apply?
  Any Ohio artist living with a disability may apply.
  How do I apply?
  You can find the application link here: https://airtable.com/appdTSVjgoroKqru3/shrKexgk1FzKsHyMZ
  Upon request, applications are available both by email or mail.
  Have any questions?
  Contact Lina Stavrova at lina@ArtPossibleOhio.org

Events around Ohio to For September 22nd September 30 2025

Monday September 22nd 2025

• Trumbull County Board of DD Board Meeting 5pm at 45 North Bend Road Niles, Ohio 44446

Tuesday September 23 2025

• Early Childhood Open Play, Tuesday, Sep 23 · 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: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XVWFGg_k5k-kGn4tsvCQmtmZ9AEFDiZHtLlPpU9yYnBUOEtVS0JTWjdHVkhDWFRLREFLWElCMzFaNC4u
• Cuyahoga County Advocacy Connections Group, Tuesday, Sep 23 · 10 AM–12 PM You’re invited to Advocacy Series: Health Connections!
  A medical advocacy event for people with developmental disabilities.
  At the event, you’ll hear from peers and medical professionals to learn:
  Why training for medical professionals makes a difference in your care
  Importance of speaking up for yourself in medical settings
  Tips on how to navigate healthcare
  Accessing Medicaid provided benefits
  And more!
  Snacks and a universal changing table will be provided. The event is free, registration is needed, and space is limited. Once we fill all the spots, a waitlist will open.
  Register at http://surveymonkey.com/r/6X22YTS
• Breaking 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
• FAMILY UNIVERSITY
  FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, DEAFBLIND
  Topic: Welcome to the Community
  Date: September 23, 2025
  Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
  Join us this month for a welcoming opportunity to connect, and discover topics of interest and resources for communication, language, lEPs, and more. Celebrate your family’s strengths while building community and exploring supports together!
  JOIN US
  Family University is an opportunity for families of children that are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind (DHH/DB) to meet virtually with other families. Register here
  Email white@osdb.oh.gov with questions

Wednesday September 24th 2025

• OSDA at We Thrive Together 11:00-12:00pm click this link to join
• Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities Family Forum Help With Strategic Plan 6-7pm 1740 US-23, Delaware, OH 43015-2726, United States

Thursday September 25th 2025

• We’re thrilled to invite you to the Ability Matters Open House on Thursday, September 25th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at our Dublin location!
  425 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017
  This is a wonderful opportunity to:
  Meet our dedicated team
  Explore our services and programs
  Tour our new space
  Connect with other families and community members
  Whether you’re already part of the Ability Matters family or simply curious to learn more, we’d love to have you join us. Come celebrate the amazing individuals we serve—and see firsthand what makes our community so special!
  No RSVP needed—just stop by! See you there!
• 🌟 Join Autism Society Of Greater Akron at the Interactive Tech Expo! Discover the latest assistive technology, resources, and tools that support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
  📅 Date: September 25th
  📍 Location: Summit Mall
  Learn more: https://bit.ly/4pDjpqL
  ASGA will have a table at the event — stop by to learn more about our programs, resources, and how we’re working to support the Autism community in Greater Akron.
  Free and open to the public
  Hands-on demonstrations
  Expert exhibitors
  This event is presented by the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board and Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities. We hope to see you there!
  TechExpo #AssistiveTechnology #CommunityResources #AkronEvent

Friday September 26th 2025

• No known events

Saturday September 27th 2025

• Sensory Saturday Saturday, September 27, 9:30–11:30 a.m. This is at the Cincinnati Art Museum. FREE. Registration not required. This program is designed for families with children who have autism or other developmental disabilities.
  
• Envision’s Go the Extra Mile Walk/Roll, Saturday, Sep 27 · 11 AM–1 PM Winton Woods Kestrel Shelter.
  Envision’s Go the Extra Mile Walk- Run-Roll is a free community event that encourages individuals with disabilities while raising funding for our vital support services. Envision’s Go the Extra Mile Walk 2025 will be held on Saturday, September 27, from 10-1 at Winton Woods park, Kestrel Shelter in Cincinnati. The walk brings together local corporate teams, clients, staff, friends, family, neighbors, donors and community members to enjoy a scenic stroll (or optional 5K) around the lake followed by a small festival with games, activities, food, music, raffle baskets, mini therapy horses to pet, and a small vendor fair, a fantastic DJ, inflatable obstacle courses, and lunch by Outback Steakhouse.
  Proceeds from the walk are used help fund services that support over 600 kids and adults with developmental disabilities in Greater Cincinnati. Our services include group homes, family support, independent individual support, foster care, mental health care, CITE on site children’s therapies and support, and an adult day program.
  Check out Facebook link for sneak peeks into our fun new activities planned for the 2025 event!

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

• Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Rare Diseases
• Sheriff Smith and the Athens County Sheriff’s Office would like to introduce the Peaceful Encounter Program (PEP); a new, voluntary and confidential program designed to help law enforcement respond more effectively and compassionately to individuals with mental or behavioral health conditions.
  This program allows individuals or their caregivers to share important information ahead of time (such as communication needs, known triggers, calming techniques, or other helpful notes) so that deputies are better prepared if a crisis should arise.
  Who can enroll?
  Anyone in Athens County living with: Autism Spectrum Disorder, PTSD, Anxiety, OCD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, or any condition where advanced knowledge could improve our response.
  All information is kept private and is only accessed by law enforcement during calls involving the registered individual.
  How to sign up:
  Visit http://www.athenssheriff.com/pep and complete the questionnaire. It’s quick and secure!
  If you have questions or concerns about the program, please contact Deputy Zayne Preston at 740-566-4356 or zpreston@athenssheriff.com
  Let’s work together to promote safety, understanding, and peaceful outcomes for everyone in our community.
• News Highlight: Bridging Aging and Disability Networks (BADN) Explains How to Better Support Aging Adults with IDD and Their Caregivers
  A new article called “Bridging Aging and Disability Networks to Support Aging Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Family Caregivers” was published in the Public Policy and Aging Report by the Gerontological Society of America.
  The article explains that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are living longer, and their needs — along with those of their aging family caregivers — are getting more complicated. Most still live at home with support from aging parents or relatives. Even though they have many of the same needs as other older adults, they are often overlooked because aging and disability services don’t always work together.
  You can read the full BADN article in the latest edition of NACDD’s Insight: https://nacdd.org/nacdd-insight-july-2025/#badn
• Resources for Improving Respite Care for Caregivers
• Ready to get out into the workforce? Our teams will support you to find the best-fitting job!
  Cuyahoga DD’s Online Resource Guide has local job opportunities for the people we serve.
  Local jobs with openings at ow.ly/NGL050WqLmA.
• Supported Decision Making Network of Ohio shares a tool kit about supported decision making through their Facebook page. Please check it out!
• Families: Check out this new resource from OCALI:
  First Concerns About Child Development and Learning (Ages 3-21):
  What Parents Need To Know
  https://ocali.org/storage/ocali-ims-sites/ocali-ims-ocali/documents/What_Parents_Need_to_Know.pdf
• Cleveland Sight Center Radio Network (CSCN) is now available on Alexa devices! This radio station is dedicated to providing information, news and entertainment to the blind and visually impaired community. To play it, say “Alexa, open Cleveland Sight Center Network skill.” Don’t forget to say skill at the end, or else a different news broadcast will open. Happy listening!
• Cassel Care LLC put out this Facebook post ! 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬
  The extended version is also available on our YouTube Channel —click the link below to watch! 🎥
  https://youtu.be/7Z21aad0Jks
  Be part of the movement for disability inclusion by sharing this video and helping us amplify voices that matter.
• Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities has put out a letter about their Contingency Plan that is must read on their social media.
• 📅 September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month.
  Did you know that up to 1 in 20 school-age children may have FASD? If you’re pregnant or planning to be, avoid alcohol. FASDs are 100% preventable by staying alcohol-free during pregnancy.
  Explore FASD resources here: https://bit.ly/41lK6Wq

September Awareness Month

• Dystonia Awareness Month
• Self Care Awareness Month
• National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• September 1st-6th is National Migraine Awareness Month
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
• September 6th is National Read a Book Day
• National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
• National Library Card Sign Up Month