(Submitted by Wood Lane)
The celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness month is off to a roaring start and continues throughout the month of March with a variety of activities and events. On March 4, members of our local leadership groups traveled to the Ohio Statehouse where they heard from self-advocates across the state and exercised their own advocacy skills when they visited with their legislators.
Wood County attendees spoke with State Sen. Theresa Gavarone about their challenges with local transportation and job opportunities and thanked her for her leadership in increasing the compensation for Direct Support Professionals. They also spoke with State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari about housing and the waiver system.
“I enjoyed going to the Ohio Statehouse on advocacy day to meet with our legislators,” said Mike Stanford. “We got to talk about our advocacy efforts like how we need accessible and available transportation. I would like to get rid of the labels—remove the “Dis” and just talk about ability. I had a good time at the Statehouse, and I hope go back again.”
Developmental Disability Awareness events throughout the month of March:
- Celebrate EDU, a 3-day workshop, is designed to teach business and entrepreneurial skills to adults with developmental disabilities, while increasing their confidence to fulfill their dreams about what they want to do with their lives. Additional training from this series will be available.
- AKtion Club Fundraiser. Join the AKtion Club at Blue Pacific Grill in Levis Commons on Sunday, March 8, from 12 to 6 p.m. for their fundraiser. Members will be working and performing tasks in the restaurant and proceeds from food sales will go toward their community service projects.
- Celebrity Basketball Game. The third annual Celebrity Basketball game will be held on Tuesday, March 10, at the BG Community Center. This is a chance to showcase our Special Olympics Basketball teams with friendly competition against local celebrities. The doors open at 6 pm with the first tip at 6:30. Admission is a canned good that will be donated to a local food bank.
- Improvaneer Performance and Provider Showcase. The Improvaneers, a comedy group, is the world’s first Improvisation Troupe cast with individuals with Down syndrome. They are wowing audiences and proving how improv can enhance social and workplace opportunities. The event will take place on Thursday, March 19, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Owen’s Community College, Veteran’s Hall. This is a free, family-oriented event, and light food items will be served.
- Best Buddies Ambassador Training This training will develop leadership skills and provides an opportunity to engage individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in advocacy opportunities through the teaching of speech writing and presentation skills. You can join us as a coach or as a participant and registration is required. The training will take place on Friday, March 27, from 12 to 3:30 p.m., at Wood Lane Conference Rooms at Entrance D.
- CommUNITY Conversations: Lead With Inclusion Community members, local leaders, and self-advocates are invited to come together for a meal and a discussion about how we can make Wood County an inclusive community for every person. We hope you can join us on Tuesday, March 31, at 6 to 8 p.m., at the Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut Ave., Bowling Green. This is a free event, but please register at tinyurl.com/ddawarenessmonth2020 by March 24.
- These events are open to all and everyone is encouraged to attend. For additional information please contact Emily Dunipace at edunipace@woodcountydd.org or Hilary Powell at hpowell@woodcountydd.org.
