Individuality Day: a day of fun at the ballpark!
On Sunday August 8, more than 600 people celebrated Individuality Day while watching the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field! The Cleveland Indians hosted this event as a way to include everyone in their ballpark and to celebrate everyone's uniqueness. Cuyahoga DD partnered with Up Side of Downs to promote and distribute tickets leading up to the game.
Ketchup, Mustard and Onion were on hand for a meet and greet, people got to explore Progressive Field, check out the sensory bags and quiet spaces and enjoy a game with the people they care about. Some families attending Individuality Day got to participate during the game by saying in the loud speaker "play ball" to initiate the game and by holding up the O-H-I-O sign in the 7th inning.
Thank you to the Cleveland Indians for all of the accommodations and for striving for inclusivity, and thanks to the Up Side of Downs for their partnership!
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Tri-C and Cuyahoga DD Partner
to Support Access to College
People with developmental disabilities can and do attend college! Cuyahoga DD has partnered with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to support people with developmental disabilities as they access college at Tri-C.
Together, Cuyahoga DD and Tri-C have conducted outreach efforts for the people we serve and our staff to ensure awareness about the many academic and workforce development programs offered by Tri-C and services available to support people to be successful in the classroom and on campus. Additional outreach sessions will be held this fall with information about how to advocate for accommodations on campus and how to access additional services from Cuyahoga DD. Stay tuned!
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Baldwin Wallace University and Cuyahoga DD Partner
to bring Literacy, Language, and Learning Camp
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Baldwin Wallace University and Cuyahoga DD partnered to bring the first Literacy, Language, and Learning Camp at Baldwin Wallace University. The program served 11 children entering kindergarten through third grade. The children were provided with a three-week, hands-on experience in a face-to-face environment. In the camp, the children worked with eight Baldwin Wallace candidates who are completing their teacher education at the university. A variety of social skills such as turn-taking, participation, sharing, following directions, and routines were taught to the children. Academic skills were centered around building language and literacy. Daily time was provided for exploring calendar activities, the weather, story-time, math, and music. These pre-service teachers were able to get authentic experience working with children with and without disabilities in the same space. The future teachers agreed this was a valuable experience to them as educators.
The Literacy, Language, and Learning Camp came from an idea that there was a need and a possibility of operating a co-constructed program to address the needs of students with and without disabilities to improve literacy, language and social skills. Cuyahoga DD recommended the materials and supplies needed for the camp. Once camp was in session, the Cuyahoga DD staff visited the Baldwin Wallace University campus and assessed the progress of the camp. They provided recommendations, strategies and informational resources to the candidates working with the children. The Baldwin Wallace team assisted the candidates with personal instruction and guidance throughout the program. Baldwin Wallace University is looking forward to expanding the program with Cuyahoga DD next summer. Read more about the camp here.
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Congratulations to the Cuyahoga DD Human Resource Department for winning the Overall Excellence of the Nonprofit/Government category at the Crain's Cleveland Business 2021 Excellence in HR Ceremony! |
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Audrea - Behavior and Curriculum Intervention Specialist
"I like working at Cuyahoga DD because the work we do is about honoring and preserving human dignity. Every day I get the opportunity to support students and their families in pursuing their happiest and healthiest lives."
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Jason - MUI Investigative Agent
"Cuyahoga DD has granted me the opportunity to serve individuals and families in various capacities. Plus, it has been very supportive with my academic and professional development."
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GLAs Talk ADA
Cuyahoga DD continues to celebrate the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by interviewing the newest members of the Good Life Ambassador team.
We hope you enjoy learning more about Patrick and Shaye and hearing their perspectives on the ADA.
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International Week of Deaf People and
International Day of Sign Languages 2021
Join Cuyahoga DD in celebrating the Deaf community and their achievements, accomplishments, and successes during the month of September! The International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and was first launched in 1958.
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2021 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
Cuyahoga DD is so proud of the Direct Support Professionals in Cuyahoga County! We celebrate our DSPs and the work they do to support people with disabilities September 12-18.
Thank you DSPs!
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HELP Foundation is a provider of adult day support, employment, residential, vocational habilitation, non-medical transportation and summer education services to individuals within Cuyahoga, Lake and Summit Counties. Residentially, they provide over 20 unique locations to ensure individuals remain in the community.
HELP provides various employer-supplemented and voluntary benefits to assist employees in their health and wealth management plans. Full- and part-time positions across all shifts and weekends are available to fit individual needs.
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ViaQuest, Inc. understands the unique and specialized needs of those with developmental disabilities, and have built their comprehensive developmental disability services model to support people regardless of their situation. ViaQuest takes the time to get to know each person and tailor their support based on their personal needs and goals, whether that be hands-on community involvement or care in their home.
ViaQuest is hiring Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for all shifts for their residential homes and first shift DSPs for their day programs. Full training is provided, no experience is required. Medical, vision, dental, disability and life insurance is offered for full-time employees.
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Communication Disability Law
Earlier in the year Ohio passed the Communication Disability Law. This law allows any individual with a medically diagnosed communication disability, who drives or regularly has someone with a communication disability in their vehicle, to voluntarily enroll in a database that connects to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). The law enforcement officer can then be made aware that the driver or a person in the vehicle may have difficulty communicating and can approach the vehicle with awareness to reduce any potential misunderstandings or problems [as stated by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities].
To learn more watch the video or click here.
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Resource for Internet and Cellphone Connectivity
Connectivity Champions collaborate closely with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio's ITCs to help support students and their parents while learning remotely. This support is provided at no cost to Ohio's K-12 families thanks to funding from the RemotEDx initiative.
The RemotEDx Connectivity Champions are working to remove barriers to connect K-12 students to remote learning by:
- Ensuring all Ohio-K12 students have home internet access for remote learning
- Helping school districts overcome technology barriers
- Working closely in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio’s Information Technology Centers
- Engaging vendors to troubleshoot and problem solve
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