April 1, 2025

Cuyahoga DD Awards $184,100: Grants for Arts & Culture, Recreation, Libraries, Accessibility

To demonstrate its commitment to inclusion, Cuyahoga DD announced the recipients of $184,100 in grant funding.

These funds will support Cuyahoga County accessibility, arts and culture organizations, libraries, and recreation centers and providers.

Recipients will create or expand their inclusive, adaptive, and accessible programming for people of all ages with disabilities.

2025 arts and culture recipients are ARTFUL Cleveland, Future Ink Graphics, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, North Pointe Ballet, Oh Sew Powerful, Inc., Theatre Agápe, and Valley Art Center. Awards ranged from $5,000 - $10,000.

2025 physical access recipients are Beck Center for the Arts, the City of Cleveland, the City of Westlake, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, the East Cleveland Public Library, Friends of Impett Park/West Park Kamm’s Neighborhood Development, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, and the Village of Newburgh Heights. Each recipient was awarded $10,000.

2025 recreation recipients are A Place 2B Me, City of Bedford Parks & Recreation, Empower Sports, MBB Special Olympics, NPower Services/RockAbility, Rec2Connect Foundation, Star Summer Camp, and Youth Challenge. Awards ranged from $5,000 - $8,750.

2025 library recipients are the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library and Westlake Porter Public Library. Awards ranged from $1,700 - $2,400.

Life Your Best Life Bootcamp

The Live Your Best Life Bootcamp is an interactive learning program led by an instructor and an aide. Daily classes take place in the classroom, kitchen, fitness center, and community.

We are currently assessing participants for the session beginning in July.

Bootcamp is open to people 18 plus, eligible for Cuyahoga DD services.

July - December

Monday - Friday

Green Road Center

4329 Green Rd., Highland Hills, 44128

Learn Independent Living Skills:

Finances
Relationships
Work
Health
Community
Living on your own
And more

A certificate is given upon completion. Complete the interest form below if you want to be a part of Bootcamp. Questions? Email boot.camp@cuyahogabdd.org.

Check out Candance, a Bootcamp participant, and Amber Gibbs, Superintendent & CEO, sharing about the program with Fox 8's New Day Cleveland here.

Bootcamp

North Pointe Ballet: Swan Lake

Enter for a chance to win two (2) tickets to see North Pointe Ballet’s sensory-friendly performance of Swan Lake.

A total of fifteen (15) sets of tickets for a total of 30 tickets are available.

The show is on Saturday, May 3, at 2 PM at Lorain Palace Theatre, 617 Broadway, Lorain 44052.

The performance features dancers with disabilities from the Ballet’s A Chance to Dance Program.

Entries must be received by Monday, April 14, at 5 PM. The drawing will be held on Tuesday, April 15. Winners will be notified by email.

Tickets courtesy of North Pointe Ballet – making classical ballet accessible to everyone.

Enter Drawing

CSU RISE Scholarship with College Now Greater Cleveland

Cleveland State University and College Now of Greater Cleveland logos

Cuyahoga DD partnered with College Now Greater Cleveland to create a scholarship for students in the Cleveland State University RISE Program for Fall 2025!

This scholarship will help offset the cost of tuition for the program.

CSU RISE is a two—to four-year transition certificate program that empowers students with I/DD to continue their post-secondary education. Visit the CSU website here to learn more about RISE.

Apply for the scholarship below by June 1 at 7:00 PM.

Apply

DSP-U Summer Sessions for Highschool Students

DSP-U 2025 sessions are back this summer.

To support the development and retention of the Direct Support Professionals (DSP) workforce, we are partnering with the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals for a free training program

High school junior and senior students are invited to earn a certificate, build their resume, and explore future career opportunities to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a DSP.

Session 1:

June 9 - 18
Big Creek Center, Parma

Session 2:

June 23 - July 2
HELP Foundation, Euclid

Please share the program information with your staff, families, neighbors, and friends.

Learn the full details and register below. The deadline to register is June 1.

Caregiver Resource Network

stock image of two people guiding a person in a wheelchair in a circular boarder

The Caregiver Resource Network is a meeting place for caregivers of people with developmental disabilities to share information, ideas, support, and more.

The next virtual session is on April 10 at 11:30 AM.

CEO & Superintendent Amber Gibbs will discuss our current budget.

View all upcoming sessions here. Join the meeting below.

Virtual Meeting

Beck Center for the Arts: Razzle Dazzle - Music from the Halls of Fame

The Beck Center for the Arts presents Razzle Dazzle: Music from the Halls of Fame.

Visit their Music & Creative Arts Therapies Building in Lakewood to see performers with and without disabilities travel the world of country, rock, and blues music.

The troupe will dance, act, and share joy, all set to music from the halls of fame.

The shows are free, except for the opening night. Get your tickets below.

Friday, April 25 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 26 at 3:30 & 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 27 at 2:30 PM

Tickets

Shout Out Your Provider

Providers play an important role in the lives of the people we serve. Now is your chance to recognize them for all the amazing work they do.

Complete the form below to praise the provider who supports you. The shout-out may appear on Cuyahoga DD's social media pages and e-News.

Form

New: Passport to Fun

To reach more families this year, the Family Fun Fairs will take on a new look with Passports to Fun!

These free events will take place throughout the county in inclusive community places.

Families with children with developmental disabilities can meet, connect, learn about Cuyahoga DD, and enjoy fun activities.

Passport to Fun events will feature Cuyahoga DD experts and resources.

More information and registration are coming soon!

Celebrating Retirment

Congratulations Toni Witt, Support Administration Supervisor, who has retired from Cuyahoga DD after 21 years of service.

Thank you, Toni, for your dedication to people with developmental disabilities in Cuyahoga County!

Cuyahoga DD Employee Spotlights

Karen Carge

Data Specialist

“I have always felt a sense of pride working at Cuyahoga DD because of the positive impact we all have on improving the lives of others.”

Stephen Marini Garvin

Support Administrator

“I am fulfilled by working with high school students plan their next life chapter after graduation.”

Online Resource Guide to Inclusive Places, Jobs and Events

Discover inclusive places, jobs, and events near you on our Online Resource Guide. Our community experts verified organizations and places as part of our All Means All initiative, ensuring they are inclusive and accessible.

Find your perfect job match with our Workforce Development team's assistance, as they can connect you with local businesses. Don't miss out on year-round fun events, both virtual and in-person, to build connections and experiences.

Check out the places, jobs and events listed in each category below to learn more.

Books with Inclusive Stories, Messaging and Representation

These books are inclusive in their messaging, stories and representation. These books are joyful, fun to read, and selected from an anti-bias and anti-racism perspective. Check out these books at your local library.