July 9, 2021
Living Independently: Ben's Story

Ben, who has received a number of supports and services from Cuyahoga DD, was recently featured in coverage by Fresh Water Cleveland, Spectrum News 1 and News 5 Cleveland. Learn about Ben's journey toward living independently through the use of proper assistive technology.
Virtual Reality and Cuyahoga DD

Virtual Reality offers learners the opportunity to interact virtually in a variety of scenarios to practice social, behavioral and communication skills while their Cuyahoga DD staff coaches them along the way.

For example, at left, Holly, a Cuyahoga DD Behavior and Curriculum Intervention Specialist, works with Joe on social interaction skills using Floreo, a virtual reality program created for individuals with ASD or related disorders.

For more information about services for school-aged individuals or Floreo, please contact Kelly Rainey, Special Instruction Manager at rainey.kelly@cuyahogabdd.org or at 216-403-1318.
2020 Annual Report Available

The 2020 Cuyahoga DD Annual Report is now available! Read and learn all about the county board's efforts to service and support people with developmental disabilities in the past year.

If you are supported by us look out for a print version coming to your home soon!
New Public Information and Communication Manager at Cuyahoga DD

Cuyahoga DD welcomes Elizabeth Day as our new Public Information and Communication Manager. Elizabeth has extensive experience and expertise in print and digital communications, advertising, public and media relations, and publications initiatives. Cuyahoga DD looks forward to working with Elizabeth seeing the contributions she will make as a member of the leadership team.
Building Bridges: Interacting with Adults Who
Have Developmental Disabilities

Carl Tyler MD, MSc and Sandy Snyder DO, Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program faculty, received a Caregiver Catalyst Award to create infrastructure within the Cleveland Clinic to support comprehensive, cost-effective healthcare to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Local community organizations and agencies that support and serve this population served as consultants to the project. These included Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Behavioral and Health Supports Department (Cuyahoga DD), Milestones Autism Resources, The Arc of Greater Cleveland, Ohio Family 2 Family, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland, Up Side of Downs, Developmental Disabilities - Practice-Based Research Network and Welcome House, Inc.
 
One of the products developed under this grant involved a collaboration between the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Excellence in Healthcare Communication, Cuyahoga DD's Public Information and Communication Department, and the community partners above to produce a video to help people in healthcare better engage with people with disabilities. Two Cuyahoga DD Good Life Ambassadors and other Cleveland area self-advocates and their families shared stories about their interactions with healthcare professionals.

As a result of watching the video, viewers gain perspective and recognize behaviors that improve communication, heighten satisfaction, and build strong connections with patients. Dr. Katie Neuendorf, sister of a featured patient, shares her personal insight about how clinicians may enhance these encounters.
 
Launched in 2018, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Caregiver Catalyst Grants were created to help caregivers implement their best and brightest ideas and positively impact patients and communities. 100% of gifts to the Caregiver Catalyst Grants advance projects that expand patient support services, lay the groundwork for medical breakthroughs, and support community health and wellness programs. 
CAN Triennial 2022: You Are Here - Applications Open

A invitation to artists with developmental disabilities: The Collective Arts Network (CAN) Triennial is a regionally focused exhibition featuring northeast Ohio artists, selected by an intergenerational and diverse curatorial team, and representing this moment in time, place, and history in Cleveland through art.

The curatorial team has announced the title for the exhibition - You Are Here, as well as the opening of an artist application portal. Application is free for artists. The deadline is September 30, 2021.
Coming Up!
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