SummitDD.org

New Opportunities on the Horizon for Akron Center Persons/Families Served

2012-01-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

With the Akron Center lease expiring on June 30, 2014, the Summit DD Board is excited about the opportunities this creates for attendees of the program. The Board is beginning the process of assessing whether or not to relocate the center to an area of Akron that would provide more opportunities for center attendees to more fully experience their Akron community. One of the first steps in this process is to organize an advisory committee to the Superintendent that will include persons/families served by the Akron Center.

It is a major undertaking to relocate a program, as past experience has shown, from the closing of the Bath Center and the opening of Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton Centers in March, 2010. This was successful because of the stakeholder input, planning, and communication that went into the process.

An advisory committee has been commissioned to review lessons learned through the building of the two newest centers in Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton and to make recommendations to the Superintendent relative to the needs of the Akron Center attendees. The committee is comprised of persons served who attend Akron Center, family members, a past Board member and parent, Akron Center staff and management, and various administrative staff. The advisory committee’s goal is to have recommendations to the Superintendent and Board by the middle of February.

The Board’s highest priority is the continuation of quality services that allow center attendees to be more fully involved in their community, as well as the communication to all stakeholders relative to the potential relocation. Communication is a top priority in this project and akron Center attendees will receive frequent updates on the status of the Akron Center project. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Jean Fish, Director of Center Based Services at jfish@summitdd.org or 330.634.8111 or William Payne, Senior Director of Board Services and Supports at bpayne@sumittdd.org or 330.634.8060.

2011-12-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Guest Blog from Summit DD Community Volunteer Joe Di Lullo - Joe, who is a TBI surviver, actively volunteers and advocates for people with DD in Northern Ohio. He recently attended a celebration of the UN's International Day for Person's with Disabilities.

Joe wrote the following of his recent experience . . .

On the 30th commemoration of the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP), the United Nations (UN) held its annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2011.

The main theme: “Together for a better world for all:
Including persons with disabilities in development”

During the Opening ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, there was a brief choir performance by students from the New York Institute for Special Education, one of our nation's first schools devoted to the education blind and visually-impaired students.

UN Dignitaries present:
•H.E. Dr. Mutlaq Al-Qahtani, Chef de Cabinet of the President of the General Assembly •Dr. Asha Rose Migrio, Deputy Secretary-General •Permanent Representative of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan •Permanent Representative of Tanzania, H.E. Mr. Ombeni Y. Sefue •Permanent Representative of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Mårten Grunditz •Ms. Maria Veronica Reina, Secretary-General, the Global Partnership for Disability and Development

Focused on this year's theme, the first of two panels immediately followed the dignitaries' opening remarks: Towards inclusive
development: improving data and statistics on disability. The panelists included:
•Julie Weeks, Washington Group on Disability Statistics •Claudia Cappa, UNICEF •Cem Mete, The World Bank •Silvia Bersanelli, Comisión Nacional Asesora para la Integración de Personas Discapacitadas •Maria Veronica Reina, Secretary-General, the Global Partnership for Disability and Development

Interactive Panel Discussion II: Mainstreaming disability in the global development agenda: experience in other development issues
Panelists:
•Moderator: UN-DESA
•Washington Group on Disability Statistics •Rosangela Berman Bieler, UNICEF •Paola Pagliani, UNDP •Jacob Kumaresan, WHO

The conclusion of the day included an international film festival. The films highlighted the everday life of disabled populations. The festival also included a recently-released film that depicted the rise of the disability rights movement in the United States with the culmination of the Americans With Disability Act in 1990.

United Nations Enable Film Festival
•Lives Worth Living (US)
•Anything you can do (Australia)
•Difference is Normal (Brazil)
•Young Voices: Identity (India); Participation (Uganda); Determination (Guyana) •Between Hearing and Not Hearing (Hong Kong) •Accessibility/The Job (Sweden) •Labels (Russia)

Following the International Year of Disabled Persons, progress has been slow. The strength of global partnerships, which the UN helps facilitate on a country-by-country basis, provides measurable evidence that disabled populations should be represented in all future development goals.

-Joseph Patrick Di Lullo

New Dream Out Loud Studio Artisans with Disabilities Craft Mural

2011-11-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

Artists with developmental disabilities are working on a project to create a mural that will be put on display at the Summit DD Ellet Work Center. They have been busy during the past week painting, sewing, and experimenting with colors, shapes, and form on the 6' X 10' mural.

“This group of artists are so much FUN and experienced!” says Patty Mitchell, artist –in-residence of Norwich Consulting. The Summit DD ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches division has been sewing and painting pottery for over 20 years. Dream Out Loud Studio is the name of their new home, a studio located next to the Ellet Center. The new program involves making art with different materials that include fabric, yarn, buttons, wood, and paint.

See more images at https://www.facebook.com/SummitDD.

How to Get Involved with The Summit DD Levy Effort

2011-10-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

People have been asking how they can support the agency during this critical time. There is a citizen’s committee called The Friends of the Summit DD that has been organized to help the passage of Issue 25 and to help with questions just like this. They are reaching out for endorsements, handing out yard signs, distributing literature and T-shirts, organizing rallies, and organizing speaking engagements to inform the public about Issue 25.

Read more about Issue 25 in this Special Edition of the Agency newsletter - "Outreach".

Social Media is also a big part of their campaign. The Friends of the Summit DD are also using Facebook, an Issue 25 website, and email contacts to connect to the community. Another tactic to engage with specific communities is through Community Champions and their families. Eleven individuals served by the Summit DD have been chosen to represent 10 different zones across Summit County. Watch for them in your neighborhood. Each champion is out in their own community discussing why Issue 25 is important
to them and why they believe it needs to pass.

For more information on Issue 25 or the champions, please
contact the people to the left or Google “Summit DD” and "Issue 25".

Summit DD Artist Conjures Superhero to Battle for Summit DD Levy Renewal

2011-08-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Darick Frady, an artist who works for the Gift Gallery Bistro by Weaver has lent his talent to the Summit DD levy renewal developing two characters (a superhero and frog) to encourage people to vote for Summit DD levy renewal on Nov.8, 2011. Darick’s work has also been published through the Summit DD Mircroenterprise program and on Summit DD holiday cards.

Microenterprise Initiative Recognized as Best Practice by Governor's Council

2011-08-04T07:44:00.001-07:00

The Summit DD is excited to announce that The Governor’sCouncil on People with Disabilities (GCPD) has selected the Summit County DDBoard’s Microenterprise Initiative, as the recipient of the 2011 “Non-ProfitBest Practices” award. The program and,Gary Peters and Kathy Lacy, two Summit DD staff members that have workedclosely with the programs, will be presented with the award during GCPD’sAnnual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at the Statehouse Atrium inColumbus. The Microenterprise program will also have atable to display information at the event.

The Microenterprise Intitiative provides supports to eligibleentrepreneurs with disabilities that allow them to pursue the development ofsmall businesses. As a modern variationon traditional “supported employment,” people with disabilities are able topursue the American dream by building a business plan, securing capital andtaking their products or services to market. The program was first conceived and implementedin Summit County, Ohio by the staff of the Summit DD communityemployment and community relations department. More than 10 individuals are now operatingbusinesses under this program. Learnmore about this program at http://www.summitdd.org/employment.aspx or call Gary Peters, Microenterprise Advisor, at (330) 634-8186.

Changes in Funding for Summit County DD Programs are Being Deliberated – Come to this meeting to learn more.

2011-05-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

What: Levy Informational Meeting for Parents, Guardians and Other Stakeholders

When: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 6:00-7:30 PM

Where: Gymnasium in Weaver Learning Center

89 E Howe Rd

Tallmadge, Ohio 44278

No RSVP needed. Call 330.634.8878 with questions or email kmcgee@summitdd.org

Why: Local levy funding for the Summit DD is only assured through the end of 2012. The Summit DD has created a plan that requires a renewal of its 4.5 mill levy to ensure continued operations 2013-2018, with no waiting lists for all whom are eligible for core day programs and residential services. Summit County Council is currently deliberating the Summit DD’s 4.5 mill renewal levy request. Come to this meeting to learn about how your services may be impacted if voters are not given the opportunity to vote on a 4.5 mill renewal levy on the November 2011 Ballot. Everyone welcome. No RSVP needed.

Champion of Summit DD in Barberton

2011-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

News! John Belles, President of Kiwanis Aktion called us to say he talked to the parade offical of the Barberton Cherry Blossom Festival and was able to ride in the official race car during the parade! He proudly held up our I Am The Summit DD sign overhead that he carries with him on all public appearances. He finished with an interview with Robin Swaboda, news caster! A true Champion of the Summit DD!

Now is the time that we must all come together with one voice in the community to state, “I am the Summit DD!”

2011-05-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 13, 2011, Summit DD Superintendent Thomas Armstrong sent the following letter to all Summit DD stakeholders . . . .

Dear Stakeholder of the Summit DD:

As you may know, in order to serve the more than 4,000eligible Summit Countyresidents and families, the Summit DD relies on the support of a single Summit Countytax levy. The current levy, authorizedin 2005 will only provide funding through 2012. Currently, levy proceeds make upapproximately 72% of the Summit DD’s total budget. Because of this, the Summit DD Board isseeking a renewal by the voters of Summit County of its existing4.5 mill levy for a six-year period 2013-2018. This will not be a new tax or atax increase, but rather a renewal of an existing tax at the same millage asoriginally approved. Because of propertyvalue reappraisals that will take place during 2011, early estimates of theactual yield of the 4.5 mill levy project that this will produce are less thanthe level of funding provided by the current 4.5 mill levy, so the Summit DD isplanning for this renewal as a revenue reduction.

Regardless of what service and support a person or familyreceives (residential, work supports, respite, center-based, transportation,SSA, etc), local levy funds drive those services by paying for them entirely orthrough local match of a Medicaid waiver. Now is the time that we must all cometogether with one voice in the community to state, “I am the Summit DD!”

Accomplishments ofthe Current Levy Period (2007-2012)

Under the current levy, theSummit DD has made good on promises to eliminate the day program waiting list,extend early intervention services into all SummitCounty communities and develop newservice centers in Barberton, Ellet and Cuyahoga Falls. The agencynow serves 37% more eligible people (over 4,000) than in 2005 and during thesame period has reduced administrative costs by 2.3%. While board expenditures have risen by 16.5%to serve these additional Summit County residents, theagency payroll has remained practically the same. This increased operational efficiency hasallowed the agency to go beyond levy promises of the “no day program waitinglist” to additionally eliminate the waiting list for all eligible Summit Countyresidents in need of residential care. The total quality management processthat the agency used to accomplish these goals enabled the Summit DD to be recognizedfor its commitment to quality with a Silver award by the Ohio Partnership forExcellence (OPE) in both 2006 and 2010 and identified the agency as having a fiscal responsibility for stewardship oftaxpayer funds as a key strength.

Plans for the NewLevy Period (2013-2018)

Data suggests that Summit DD is nearing the point where ithas reached most individuals in Summit County who are eligibleto receive services and supports. With the elimination of the waiting lists forboth core day services and residential services, future enrollments and growthwill likely begin to level off and is anticipated to grow at a much slower ratethrough the life of the 2013-2018 levy cycle.

The renewal levy proposes to maintain services for the 4,000individuals and families currently receiving supports through the Board. Modestgrowth is anticipated in both children and adult services, with an additional108 children and 336 adults projected to receive services through the life ofthe 2013-2018 levy cycle while maintaining a policy of no waiting liststhroughout the levy period. During the new levy period the focus will bemaintenance of current gains, service to new enrollees, and innovation inservice delivery across all providers.

The Roadmap to the Ballot
On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB) voted toendorse the Board’s request to go on the November 8, 2011 ballot for a renewalof its 4.5 mill operating levy. This action was taken shortly after the Budgetand Levy Review Committee of the SSAB recommended the 4.5 mill renewal to thefull Board. The SSAB made this recommendation only after careful review of theagency's report of its performance and fiscal accountability during the currentlevy period (2007-2012). The SSAB's review included an examination of theSummit DD actual and projected financial statements for years 2007-2018; thecurrent and projected levy fund balance; and projected service levels.

The proposed 4.5 mill levy renewal was officially proposed via action by theBoard during its regular March 2011 meeting. The SSAB's recommendation is keyin bringing the issue to the voters on Election Day in November; however, theissue must receive the approval of the Summit County Executive and SummitCounty Council.

The continued progression ofthis issue through the political process of county council and success on theNovember 8^th, 2011 ballot will require the support from all of ouragency stakeholders. Many people arestarting to ask, “What can I do to support the effort?” The answer is “spread the word!” The more people know about the impact ouragency has on the lives of those we serve, the stronger case we make to thecitizens of Summit County for continuedfunding.

I am enclosing a fact sheetthat contains some of the details about our 4.5 mill levy request currentlybeing considered by county council for the November ballot. Please save this fact sheet to use as a toolto assist you in talking to friends, neighbors or elected officials about thisissue. I would also encourage you to useonline resources to get up-to-the minute information about the levy issue byjoining us online at Facebook.com/SummitDD. A press kit with more details about this issue can be downloaded atSummitdd.org.

Sincerely,

Thomas L. Armstrong
Superintendent
tarmstrong@summitdd.org
330.624.8080

The following is the link to the press kit and fact sheet:

http://summitdd.org/LevyPressKit.aspx

An Update on the Making of Ohio’s Budget

2011-05-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

An Update on the Making of Ohio’s Budget – May 12, 2011

from Summit DD Superintendent Tom Armstrong

Many of those who care about people with developmental disabilities, and the services that enable them to work and live in our communities, have been watching the Ohio budgeting process and wondering, “How will this affect us?” What follows is an attempt to brief our stakeholders in Summit County about how the budget process is shaping-up and how it will likely affect the people we serve and their families.

A little background – the state budgets are in two year intervals. The next state budget will go from July 1, 2011 through June 30^th, 2013. For that period of time, the state’s revenues are not projected to accommodate its current spending and there will likely be an $8 billion dollar shortfall ($4 billion annually). Governor Kasich has said that he will not raise taxes so that means he has to cut $8 billion dollars. At this point in time, the Governor has released his budget and the Ohio House has passed a budget bill known as the Amended House Bill (HB)153 that is now being reviewed and revised in the Ohio Senate. The bill will need to be passed and signed into law sometime before July 1, 2011.

The Governor has stated that he believes that Ohio does not spend its money wisely and needs the right budget to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs. Medicaid and education are, by far, the biggest pieces of Ohio’s budget pie. One of the examples that Kasich uses is the nursing home industry. The Governor believes that individuals who are aging can be served better and longer in their own homes than being placed in a nursing home. So he will focus on redesigning Medicaid funding for the elderly to support them longer in their own home. He believes that this will save Ohio money.

The Governor has also stated that he may, over time, consolidate some state departments. There have been discussions at the state level that the Departments of Health, Mental Health, and Alcohol and Drug Addiction may be combined into one department. Such a department possibly could include the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as well, but there is no confirmation of this. To promote efficiency through reorganization, the Governor set up a new office that will oversee all Medicaid programs. He hopes to streamline Medicaid programs to obtain additional efficiencies.

The current version of Amended HB153 includes many budget cuts that will affect funding for the services of people with developmental disabilities. In the current budget proposal, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) received a 5.1% cut in both Fiscal Year 2012 and again in Fiscal Year 2013 which amounts to approximately $240,000 less per year. Of even greater impact to county DD boards is the cut in the local subsidy line-item by 30.3% in 2012 and 26.2% in 2013. This will amount to $49.3M less over the two years, a loss of $26.4M in 2012 and 22.9M in 2013. Our best guess is that these cuts will impact the Summit DD by $1.6M annually which equates to a 41% reduction of our state subsidies that come from DODD.

Another major reduction that the state budget will cause is the acceleration of the Tangible Personal Property Tax Reimbursement Phase-out (TPPT). Recent changes to Ohio’s tax code replaced the Commercial Activity Tax with the TPPT. What was once a local funding stream has become a state funding stream, being redistributed locally. The current budget bill (HB153) actually accelerates the schedule by which the State will no longer distribute these revenues to the counties for use on programs like DD board services. The impact on the Summit DD is projected to be $2,705,782 over the two years of the budget.

The good news - our Board and administrative staff have positioned the Summit DD to weather this economic storm by their consistent quest for efficiency and quality improvements throughout the agency. We currently have a fund balance (the Board’s savings account) that exceeds $60 million which we have planned to utilize to fund Summit County’s DD services through the remainder of the current levy cycle (2011 and 2012) and the next six year cycle (2013 -2018). We will need to continue, however, to look for efficiencies to make the proposed plan work for the next six-year levy cycle.

What can you do? – As HB153 evolves in the Ohio Senate throughout May and June, we must be prepared to remind Summit County’s Senators Tom Sawyer and Frank LaRose of how the proposed cuts to County Boards of DD will reduce services for people with DD across Ohio and leave money on the table in Washington, DC. Since county boards of DD use 85% of the money they get from the State of Ohio to pull down federal Medicaid matching funds, every $1 in state money received, county boards can receive $1.68 in federal funds. That means that every time the state cuts a dollar to county DD boards, it actually cuts $2.68 in total support for DD services. The time may soon come when our stakeholders will need to reach out and contact these or other legislators in Columbus. In the meantime, I will keep you informed via our agency website and Facebook page at www.SummitDD.org.

Social Services Advisory Board Recommends Summit DD Levy Request

2011-04-29T05:51:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, the Social Services Advisory Board voted to endorse the Board’s request to go on the November 8, 2011 ballot for a renewal of its 4.5 mill operating levy. This action was taken shortly after the Budget and Levy Review Committee of the SSAB recommended the 4.5 mill renewal to the full Board.

The SSAB made this recommendation only after careful review of the agency's report of its performance and fiscal accountability during the current levy period (2007-2012). The SSAB's review included an examination of the Summit DD actual and projected financial statements for years 2007-2018; the current and projected levy fund balance; and projected service levels.

The proposed 4.5 mill levy renewal was officially proposed via action by the Board during its regular March 2011 meeting. The SSAB's recommendation was key in bringing the issue to the voters on Election Day in November and the next step will be to present the Board’s request to County Council.

In 2005, the Summit County voters approved a 4.5 mill levy request generating funds for programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. This is the only operating levy that funds services to individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in Summit County. The levy will expire on Dec 31, 2011. The Summit DD is seeking voter approval of a levy renewal. The renewal would be for 4.5 mills for a period of six years, 2013-2018.

This 4.5 mill renewal request represents no newtaxes for local tax payers. And when the devaluation of property and the accelerated loss of the TangiblePersonal Property Tax on local businesses are taken into account, this levyrequest actually represents over a .5 mill loss of local support.

The Renewal proposes to:

- maintain services for the 4000individuals and families currently receiving

supports through the Board

- Serve anadditional 108 children

- Serve anadditional 336 adults

- Facilitateinnovation, efficiency, increased quality and increased satisfaction acrossBoard provided services and supports and with private provider partners.

- Maintain apolicy of no waiting lists through out the levy period.

Under the current levy (2007-2012), the Summit DD has made good on promises to eliminate the day program waiting list, extend early intervention services into all Summit County communities and develop new service centers in Barberton, Ellet and Cuyahoga Falls. In addition, the Summit DD has increased operational efficiency, been recognized by the Ohio Partnership for Excellence as a Silver Baldrige Award winner for total quality management, and additionally has eliminated the waiting list for all eligible Summit County residents in need of residential care.

15 Attend Statehouse Rally, Meet with Legislators

2011-04-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

On April 14, 2011, 10 self advocates with disabilities and 5 helpers traveled from Summit County to the Ohio Statehouse to participate in the Ohio DD Council's Legislative Rally and then met with three Summit County lawmakers. What follows is a first hand account from on of those self-advocates . . .

Post by Guest Blogger and Self-Advocate Dana Meissner

"Today was Legislator's advocacy day in Columbus. Among the participants that went were Kevin McGee, Bonnie Binns, John Belles, Barb Bells, Sara VanWinkle, Dana Meissner,Willard Boggs, Judi Plymton, Karen Dudock, Charlotte Lamanna, Leigh Belvedere, Christine, Jack Carroll and Brian Monroe. For a lot of them this was their first time down in Columbus. We listened to Mr. John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities along with Ted Celeste and others. We also got to speak to a couple senators and a Representative. They were very interested to hear what we had to say. Half of our group went to talk to Senator Tom Sawyer while the other half went to talk with Senator Frank LaRose. We all visited with Mike who worked in Rep Todd McKenney. We from Summit County also presented them with a sample of products made by ClayCrafters and sold at The Gift Gallery by Weaver. We gave them an "I am the Summit DD" sign too. Mike said he was going to put our sign in his window. Everyone had a nice time and enjoyed themselves and can not wait to go back next year." - By Dana Meissner

Dana and the other self advocates traveled as representatives of the Kiwanis Aktion Club and People First of Summit County. The thoughts, ideas and concerns that these constituents with disabilities voiced in these meetings included: funding for services; social security; Medicaid; medical equipment purchasing schedules; wasted funds; living in community residential settings. One innovative idea that was voiced by Karen Dudock was a request for policy support for building opportunities to work in both a workshop 2-3 days weekly AND a community employment setting as a second job. Assisting with the trip was the Arc of Summit and Portage Counties. Thanks to all who are helping to make the voice of the disability community heard in Ohio's seat of government.

Summit County TOP COP Nominated for championing the DD cause

2011-04-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Republished from the Summit County Prosecutor Newsletter

Summit County Top Cop for April 2011

Top Cop: Sgt. Michael Farrar, Akron Police Department

Nominated by: Sherri Bevan Walsh and Leslie Knoblauch

Nominated for championing the cause of individuals with developmental disabilities

Sgt. Farrar approached the prosecutor’s office about partnering to train fellow Akron police officers about situations they may encounter if interacting with a child or adult with autism. Sgt. Farrar researched and developed a presentation for officers on autism awareness and asked our Take Me Home Coordinator, Leslie Knoblauch, to also present about the Take Me Home program at his training.

Sgt. Farrar is currently conducting trainings with his fellow Akron officers and has offered to take the course “on the road” to other police and dispatch departments.

Thank you, Sgt. Farrar for being a champion for individuals with autism!

Way to go, Top Cop!

600 Summit DD Self Adocates Attend People First at the Movies

2011-03-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

People First at the Movies visits the Wild Wild West

People with disabilities served by the Summit DD and their families and friends celebrated March Disability Awareness month in high style at an agency event People First at the Movies held March 22, 2011. Thanks to the Linda Theater on Goodyear Boulevard over 600 people enjoyed a private screening of RANGO with free popcorn for people with disabilities. The film received a standing ovation from all in attendance. Many commented, “I just love a good western!”

Autism Awareness Month Cookies from Fox8.com

2011-03-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

CLEVELAND/AKRON/CANTON-— Cookiesfor a cause! Enjoy a delicious puzzle-piece shortbread cookie at anyCleveland, Akron, or Canton area Panera Bread between April 1^st and April 8^thand Panera will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Northeast OhioAutism Speaks organization. Puzzle pieces are used to raise autismawareness and this tasty cookie sale is in honor of National AutismAwareness Day (April 2^nd) and Autism Awareness Month.

The puzzle-piece cookie is the first new menu item made specificallyin support of a charity. Sam Covelli of Covelli Enterprises, thecompany that operates Panera Bread, says “We are honored to host the‘Autism Speaks, Panera Listens’ campaign during Autism Awareness Month. Every 20 minutes someone is diagnosed with Autism. This day isabout doing our part to bring awareness about Autism to the NortheastOhio area and provide funding for its treatment and a hopeful cure.”
Cookies can be pre-ordered by visiting www.paneracovelli.com/autism. A box of 6 costs $12. A dozen is $24. Of course, walk in orders are welcome!
Panera is also collecting cash donations from customers in theircommunity breadboxes for Autism Speaks throughout March and April.
Full article available online at http://tinyurl.com/4cyqdem

PEOPLE FIRST AT THE MOVIES - A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH CELEBRATION

2011-03-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

Summit DD and The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties is partnering with the Linda Theater again this year in celebration of National Disability Awareness Month. People with developmental disabilities and their family members, friends, caregivers, Summit DD staff, ARC staff, ARC members, affiliated agencies, and Care Management Network staff are invited to a screening at 7:00 pm of “RANGO” Rated PG on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at the Linda Theatre, 1745 Goodyear Blvd., Akron, Ohio. Everyone is encouraged to attend this special night with free admission to all. Popcorn is free to people with disabilities. The concession stand will be open for everyone else. Flyers were circulated to all the Summit DD work centers. A flyer is attached to post and distribute to people who receive our services and might otherwise be missed. Call me to reserve your tickets. We are distributing them at the theatre, in the lobby, the night of the movie, so I will have your envelope ready when you arrive. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the movie begins at 7:00 pm.

ARC of Summit and Portage Counties Reverse Raffle - Friday April 8

2011-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Come join in on the fun! Plan to attend The Arc’s 24th Annual

Reverse Raffle &Auction. Proceeds will benefit The Arcin continuing its vital advocacy services and educational community outreachprograms for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Join us for good food, great prizes and a chance towin the

$2,000 Grand Prize!

Date: Friday,April 8, 2011

Time: 6:00PM Reception — 7:00 PM Dinner

Location: Guy’s Party Centre

500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, OH 44319

Tickets: $75(Dinner & Raffle) or $35 (Dinner Only)

SideBoards, 50/50 Raffle, Live & Silent Auctions

To donate an auction item orpurchase a ticket, contact The Arc office at

(330) 836-5863 orthearc@thearcneo.org.

Arc of Summmit and Portage Counties Launches New Communications Campaign

2011-03-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Guest Post from Leeanne M. Saro,Executive Director, The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties . . . .

The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties is proud to unveil a new brand identity along with renewed energy and dedication to providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. You'll find a dynamic new logo on our website www.thearcneo.org, Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Arc-of-Summit-and-Portage-Counties/55852348429, business cards, newsletters, letterhead, basically everything we can find to share it with you and along with it a comprehensive new brand identity which will serve to unite affiliated chapters across the county under the banner "Achieve With Us." It's at once an invitation and a command, as it represents our movement's determination to achieve even more in terms of participation, inclusion, acceptance and respect for people with I/DD in the years to come.

In the logo's design, you'll see the energy and determination The Arc brings to supporting and embracing people with I/DD and their families across their lifetimes and across many diagnoses. You'll notice a bold color combination of orange and yellow chosen specifically because it is unique in the realm of nonprofit organizations, and can be exclusively associated with The Arc much like a specific shade of pink is associated with breast cancer awareness or red with The American Red Cross. This identity was developed over the course of a year including in-depth research, professional brand consultants and a dedicated team of individuals (including an advisory group of chapter professionals) inside The Arc who understands our mission and goals.
In respect to our mission, the elements of the brand represent a strong, energetic organization working to provide opportunity for people with I/DD; opportunity for hope, opportunity for growth and opportunity for change. We know a thing or two about change as we have been on the front lines of a movement that has ushered in dramatic changes in the law, in schools, in health care, in communities and often on a very personal level in individuals lives.
It's also an identity designed to communicate the collective power of a group of like-minded people who are embracing, determined and experienced in promoting and protecting the civil rights as well as providing the services and support needed by people with I/DD and their families across the arc of their lifetimes and across many diagnoses from Down syndrome to autism and many more. In fact, The Arc is the nation's largest and leading organization for people with I/DD and their families with a 60 plus year history of fighting discrimination and providing people with I/DD the opportunity to live full, satisfying and self-determined lives as valued and contributing members of their communities.
As the brand becomes widely recognized and promoted on a national level, our organization will benefit in terms of support from donors and volunteers and in the ease with which everyone will be able to identify with our mission. The new identity will take us forward as a movement and command the kind of respect and recognition on a national basis that our organization deserves. That respect and recognition, in turn, will allow us to continue to achieve our goals for people with I/DD. We invite you to Achieve With Us - contact us to get more information about the new brand, the availability of new logos and artwork for those who work with us and how you can support us into the future.

Looking forward,

Leeanne M. Saro MA

Executive Director

OACBDD to Hold Ticket to Work Seminar on February 22

2011-02-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

Ticket to Work - Seminar

Date: February 22, 2011
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: Show map
Summit County Board of DD, Conference Center
89 E. Howe Road
Tallmadge, Oh 44278

Contact: Ann Neu
Phone: 614.431.0616
Email: aneu@oacbdd.org
As many of you know, Ohio Association of County Boards has become an Employment Network through the Social Security Administration Ticket to Work program. By doing so, we can offer a new service to our members and affiliate members -- OACB can now act as the Employment Network of Record (completing all the paperwork, tracking Ticket payments, etc.), and our members/affiliate members can continue to provide direct services and supports to help individuals gain/maintain employment. This partnership will allow members/affiliate members to bill individuals' Tickets (through OACB) for some of the costs associated with these services and supports, thus generating additional revenue for your agency.

OACB will be hosting a series of events throughout the state to share further information about the Ticket program, OACB as the Employment Network of Record and how this can benefit your agency. Each event will last one hour.
Space is limited at each of these sites. Register early to make sure you get a seat!
Registration is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Summit County High Schoolers Learn About Careers and Working with People with Disabilities

2011-02-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Project Understanding was a huge success! Over 250 students from twelve high schools attended the event on February 4. Students travelled from around the county on Summit DD buses to learn about careers in the developmental disabilities field. Career sessions were held in Social Work/Service and Support, Community Employment, Public Relations, Early Intervention\Pre-School Age Education, Nursing, Physical Therapy and Computer Technology. Colleen Kelly, published author and motivational speaker, was the guest speaker. Todd Eisinger also helped to motivate the students by saying a few words. Both received a standing ovation!

The following schools attended

School
BARBERTON HIGH SCHOOL
BUCHTEL HIGH SCHOOL
COVENTRY HIGH SCHOOL
ELLET HIGH SCHOOL
GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
NORTON HIGH SCHOOL
PORTAGE LAKES CAREER
ST. VINCENT - ST. MARY
SPRINFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
TALLMADGE HIGH SCHOOL

View pictures of the event at the Summit DD Flickr feed: Click here

Through sponsorships from Summit Racing, Donatos Pizza, and Roccos Pizza, students were given event t-shirts, portfolios with participation certificates inside of event bags made by Custom Stitches, and a pizza lunch. Presenters were given gifts made by Clay Crafters.

Between sessions students visited four colleges in attendance, ITT Tech, Akron Institute, Malone University and Akron University and visited interactive ability awareness stations designed to show how individuals with disabilities can work, live, learn and play. Pet Therapy by “Ton's of Hugs K-9 by Lisa and Mike Hug” with 3 dogs, one was a Great Dane with disabilities, was the hit of the day. A viewing of an excerpt from the video "The Teachings of Jon" was followed by an awards ceremony. One student from each high school, chosen by instructors and peers, received an award for displaying outstanding abilities, such as citizenship.

West Akron Entrepreneur Showcasing Greeting Cards at Open House

2011-01-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

The Following is being reublished from The West Side Leader www.Akron.com


Todd Eisinger of Inspire2Aspire

CUYAHOGA FALLS — West Akron resident and Firestone High School graduate Todd Eisinger, 28, will meet and greet the public at an open house that will serve as the local premiere for his new line of greeting cards.

With the help of a Micro-Enterprise Grant from the Summit County Developmental Disabilities (DD) Board, Eisinger has developed a line of cards designed to encourage and inspire other individuals and families, including those whose lives are touched by disabilities.

His new business, Inspires 2 Aspire LLC, is marketing the cards.
The open house will take place Feb. 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Summit DD Gift Gallery Bistro, 2355 Second St. Light refreshments will be served, and special discounts will be available during the open house.
Eisinger, who was born with Down syndrome, said in a press release that his cards share the message that “you can make a difference in someone’s life by offering encouraging words, but sometimes the words don’t come easily.”
He and his business supporters believe that his line of inspirational greeting cards about his life experiences will inspire others. His collection includes a congratulatory card for parents of newborns with disabilities as well as cards about success in the face of adversity and life’s possibilities.
His cards were introduced to a national audience at The Arc National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
The inspirational communications company seeks to create opportunities for people with disabilities and spread the message about what people with disabilities can do. As it grows, the company plans to support others by hiring staff with disabilities and sharing a portion of the profits with organizations that provide programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Contact Inspires 2 Aspire at 330-785-9999 or todd@inspires2aspire.com, or visit www.inspires2aspire.com for more information.

Changes Underway in Gift Gallery Retail and Canal Place Operations

2011-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, the Summit DD operates a number of businesses that employ more that 60 people with disabilities including Earthcare Landscaping, Weaver Clean Carpet Cleaning, ClayCrafters, Custom Stitches and the Gift Gallery Stores. These businesses have experienced significant growth in the last five years and have been an integral part of achieving agency objectives related to eliminating the adult services waiting list and community outreach. The agency’s pursuit of growth for these businesses has brought with it the same quality management principles that are employed throughout all our agency’s efforts. These quality management principles require that management scrutinize all aspects of the operation and refine the use of resources to improve the organization. As a result, there are two efforts underway within the Specialty Business Department – a revision of the way we are retailing products and the location where those products will be made.

Beginning on Tuesday, January 18, the Gift Gallery Stores at Ellet and Coventry no longer enjoy a full schedule of regular retail employees. These stores will remain open to show off the wonderful products made by artisans with disabilities in Clay Crafters and Custom Stitches; however purchases now must be made during regular center hours with the assistance of people with disabilities or staff who are working in those centers. Retail sales at Twinsburg are no longer available and customers of this store are being referred to Cuyahoga Falls or online. Regular retail hours at the Cuyahoga Falls store will continue, M-F 8-6, Sat. &Sun. 11-5. The Gift Gallery retail strategy is being modified to include MORE community events where products can be sold. Venues such as Yankee Peddler and Ohio Mart have always been the best venues for product sales and will now be the strategy to maintain demand for the products that create our manufacturing-based artisan jobs. Numerous events are being added to the Gift Gallery’s 2011 traveling event schedule. With an average of about one event every weekend, look for a Summit DD Community Outreach booth that will be selling our products at events such as the Witan French Market (Feb. 25 & 26) and the Akron Home and Garden Show (Feb. 25-27).

Another exciting change that is coming for the Specialty Business programs is the relocation of Canal Place operations. During its regular January meeting, the Summit DD Board authorized the collection of formal proposals for the renovation of vacant space adjacent to the current site for the Ellet Center on Wedgewood Drive. The Board’s action has come only after nearly a year of research and review of the Canal Place facility, home of ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches by a TOPS team and all the stakeholders of these programs. Numerous open houses and community forums along with architectural space use evaluations and reports have resulted in this official step toward relocating these programs. It is expected that these programs will be relocated to this Ellet location by the end of 2011 achieving increased community integration, improved facilities for people served and at a lower annual rent. Proposals for the renovation work will be publicly solicited and final plans should be ready for recommendation to the Board by the end of February. Stay tuned for more details throughout the year and this project progresses. A photo of the most recent stakeholder walk though of the potential Ellet relocation of ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches is available on the Summit DD Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/summit_dd_board/5355518132/in/photostream/

MUI Department Receives DODD 2 Year Accreditation

2011-01-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

DODD was onsite November 2nd and 3rd to complete a quality review of the Summit DD MUI Department. The State reviewed approximately 20 cases for compliance with protocol standards, policies and procedures, 24-hour conformance, timely completion of investigations, and compliance with other requirements identified in OAC 5123:2-17-02 Incidents Adversely Affecting Health and Safety. While a few citations were issued and a plan of correction is being developed, the result of the visit will be that for the first time the Summit DD will receive a two-year MUI accreditation. According to DODD, Summit DD has never received a two-year accreditation in this area and the most a county can receive is a three-year accreditation. Debbie McGuire, Regional Manager Supervisor/Legal and Oversite-DODD, commented “I would like to note that we recognize all the hard work and long hours that were required to make so much improvement from a year ago. Continue the good work!” The Summit DD MUI Department would like to thank all who help ensure the health and safety of those we serve because we are truly in this together.

Fire Truck Delivers Holiday Cheer For Children with Disabilities

2010-12-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2010

Community News

Media Contact:

County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board

Lucky Tisch, Community Relations & Marketing Manager

ltisch@summitdd.org

330.634.8656

Fire Truck Delivers Holiday Cheer For Children with Disabilities

Santa’s helpers deliver gifts to Weaver Learning Center via Fire Truck

Tallmadge, Ohio – Just as they have for the past thirty-five years, the Italian-American Professional and Business Club delivered gifts for the holiday season to children served by the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD). The club’s Santas arrived Friday, December 10 at the Weaver Learning Center, 89 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge, on a Tallmadge Fire Department fire engine, escorted by Tallmadge Police cruisers and the Tallmadge Rescue Squad. The Santas brought bags full of HoHo snack cakes, ice cream and punch, along with gifts for the children who attend the Weaver Learning Center. The club also donated gift cards and cash as part of their gift to the children in the Calico and Early Intervention programs at the Summit DD Board.

As part of this annual tradition, the Italian-American Professional and Business Men’s Club also provided punch and ice cream for the adults who work in the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board adult centers which include Akron Center, Barberton Center, Cuyahoga Falls Center, Ellet Center, Potomac Center, Southern Center and Tallmadge Center. The Santas were accompanied by three elves, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a gingerbread man.

The Italian-American Professional and Business Men’s Club is an independent, local, Akron-based, philanthropic organization comprised of area businessmen. The club allocates $2,500 each year for this project. The club’s chairman for this event, Tony Malorni stated, “The club looks forward to this event each year. We get excited about it. I personally get more out of participating in this event than I could ever give to the kids that we are able to help.”

Summit County DD Board President, William Ginter, Recognized by Association for Distinguished Service in the DD Field

2010-12-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

Bill Ginter during his acceptance speech

News Release - December 1, 2010
Contact: Kevin McGee, Public and Community Relations
County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board
330.819.4403 or kmcgee@summitdd.orgSummit

(Columbus, Ohio)– Akron, Ohioresident William Ginter was recognized by the Ohio Association of County Boardsof Developmental Disabilities (OACBDD) for distinguished service as a board memberof the County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities during its annualmeeting in Columbustoday. Ginter was presented the OACBDD’sDistinguished Service Award (Large County) which has been awarded annually since 2006 toone board member from Ohio’slarger counties. During the presentationof the award, OACBDD Executive Director Dan Ohler noted that Mr. Ginter “setsthe standard for service as a conscientious representative of Summit County’sresidents and as the parent of a person with a developmental disability servedby the system.”

Originally appointed in 2000,Mr. Ginter has served three terms as a board member with the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board, where he currently serves aspresident. His service has also includedvice president of the board and he has participated on numerous committeesincluding Finance & Facilities, Human Resources/Labor Relations, and the LevyImplementation. Ginter’s leadership on the board has been recognized as beingkey to numerous noteworthy achievements including the passage of the agency’s4.5 mill levy in 2005; the elimination of the day program waiting list in 2007;the agency’s successful application for a Silver Baldrige Award for Quality;the development of new integrated community service centers in Barberton, CoventryTwp, Cuyahoga Falls, Ellet and Twinsburg; and the annual provision of servicesto more than 1,500 additional eligible Summit County residents than when hejoined the board (currently over 4,000 annually).

Mr. Ginter’s is well known inmany circles in Summit County as his commitmentto service has gone well beyond the disability community. Having retired in 1999 as the EVP and COO ofAdvanced Elastomer Systems, Ginter has serves as CEO and Chairman of the UnitedWay of Summit County; in a variety of leadership roles with the Greater AkronChamber, Summa Health Systems and the All-American Soap Box Derby. He was alsorecognized in 2002 for distinguished service by the United Way of Summit County. Mr. Ginter resides in Akron with his wife Marie and daughter, Laura.

The Countyof Summit Developmental Disabilities Boardis an agency that provides services to more than 4,000 individuals withdisabilities and their families in Summit County. It is the organization’s mission to be aprimary community force that enables eligible individuals to work, live, learn,play and participate as equal citizens in their communities. The driving forces behind these efforts arethe agency’s board members, as well as staff, families, affiliated agencies,advocates and the individuals served by the organization. The agency’s administrative offices arehoused in the Weaver Learning Center,89 East Howe Roadin Tallmadge, Ohio. The Summit DD also operates ten community service centers including Akron Center,Barberton Center,Canal Place, Coventry Center, Cuyahoga Falls Center, Ellet Center,Tallmadge Center,Twinsburg Center,Southern Center, and Potomac Center. Services are also delivered through many Summit Countyemployers and contract agencies. Moreinformation regarding the agency is available online at www.summitdd.org.

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Tom Armstrong, Bill Ginter, Dan Ohler

Canal Place Relocation Open House – Nov 30, 2010

2010-11-23T13:33:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends, Families, and Stakeholders:

A diverse team of invested supporters of the Specialty Business Areas have been meeting to discuss the future facilities needed for the Clay Crafters and Custom Stitches programs based in Canal Place on Main Street in Akron, Ohio. Through extensive research, working with architects, and gathering stakeholder input through public meetings, the team has identified, evaluated, and concluded that Canal Place will not meet our long term goals. The committee’s research has resulted in the recommendation to find a new facility that better meets the needs of the people served in Clay Crafters and Custom Stitches.

The team has identified a site that is integrated in the community with access to bussing routes and most importantly, meets the spatial requirements for the business divisions that will be relocated. Thus, we are inviting you to an open house in the vacant space next to the Ellet Center Location (2420 Wedgewood Dr, Akron, OH 44312) between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 30^th, 2010. We will provide tours and architectural drawings that outline the proposed use of space. We plan to also give details regarding the future of Clay Crafters and Custom Stitches while collecting public input for the vision of these programs in the coming years.

Your feedback is very important and we are very excited about this opportunity. Light refreshments will be served by Gift Gallery Bistro Catering, so please plan to attend and help us build for the future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.

Kevin McGee Sean Kiniklis

Director of Specialty Business Manager of the Specialty Business Areas

(330) 634-8877 (330) 379-8904

Summit DD Board Member Recognized as National Leader in Public Health

2010-11-22T07:38:00.000-08:00

County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board Member, Thomas Quade, was recently elected to the Executive Board of the American Public Health Association. Appointed to the Summit DD Board by the County Executive and County Council, Mr. Quade is serving his first term with the Summit DD Board, January 2010-December 2013. As is required by Ohio Revised Code, Quade is one of a number of Summit DD board members that is a family member of a person who is eligible for DD services.

Complete details regarding Mr. Quade's election to the APHA can be found on the City of Akron website at: http://akronohio.gov/News_Releases/Display.asp?RecNum=251

QUADE ON AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH EXECUTIVE BOARD
HEALTH DIRECTOR ELECTED
Published: Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Thomas Quade, interim director of the Akron Health Department, has been elected to the Executive Board of the American Public Health Association.

The election came at the Association’s 138th Annual Meeting and Exposition in Denver, Colorado on November 9. Quade was elected to serve a four-year term on the APHA Board by the more than 200 members of the association’s governing council.

Quade reacted, saying, “Being elected to the executive board of the oldest and largest public health association in the world is incredibly validating . . . (click here for more)

Bullying a Serious Issue Among Children with Disabilities

2010-10-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

A recent incident in which a Florida father of a child with cerebral palsy entered a school bus to confront her classmates who she accused of being bullies is bringing to light the problem of bullying against children with disabilities. There are a disproportionate number of children with disabilities being subjected to bullying everyday across America. While not too many are defending this father's choice to intimidate the children on the school bus, the incident is an example of parental frustrations with the unfair treatment that many children with disabilities experience everyday. During the interview, the father pointed out that the research has shown that children with disabilities are more likely to be bullied. View the interview at (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39497339/ns/today-parenting/).

There are many things that can be done to prevent this type of discrimination and to teach children about bullying of children with disabilities. A recent article on www.disaboom.com give a succinct overview of some of them. "How to Handle Bullying of Children with Disabilities"

What are we doing to teach our children to be kind and accepting? - and maybe even more important - what are we doing to teach our children to not "stand by" when others are being victimized?

Sources:
Bully B’Ware Productions. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2010, from http://www.bullybeware.com/moreinfo.html
Lingren, H. G. (1997). Bullying–How to stop it! [Electronic
version]. Retrieved March 13, 2003, from http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/family/nf309.htm
Khosropour, S. C., & Walsh, J. (2001, April). That’s not teasing–that’s bullying: A study of fifth graders’ conceptualization
of bullying and teasing.

Akron Aeros' Mascot to Making Rounds at Summit DD - More Than 1,000 Expected for Event

2010-07-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Now in its seventh year, People First at the Park, takes place on Tuesday, August 10th! This collaboration between the Summit DD and the Akron Aeros includes a picnic and baseball game at Canal Park that is attended by more than 1,000 Summit County citizens with disabilities and their families. As part of the fun, the Akron Aeros' Mascot Orbit will be making his annual visit to the ten work centers today and tomorrow: Wednesday, July 14th and Thursday, July 15th to pick the most spirited Akron Aero’s fan. First place winner receives an official Akron Aero’s jersey and a gift basket of goodies from the Summit DD Gift Gallery and Bistro. This true-blue fan will also throw out the first pitch of the game! The Runner-up wins a gift certificate to the Gift Gallery and joins the first place winner on first base.

Each site visit will be from 20 to 30 minutes, and will involve all production employees and people who receive habilitation services to meet and greet Orbit and pose for a photo. New this year --- Orbit is going to visit the Calico Day Care classrooms!

Orbit’s Schedule for Site Visits

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Morning - Canal Place, Akron Center, Coventry Center
Afternoon - Southern Center, Barberton Center

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Morning - Ellet Center, Potomac Center, Tallmadge Center, Calico Day Care Center
Afternoon - Cuyahoga Falls Center, Twinsburg Center

ATTENTION MEDIA - If you would like to arrange a photo opportunity during Orbit's visit please contact Bonnie Binns at 330.475.3962 or bbinns@summitdd.org.

Cable Spot for Products made by Summit County Artisans with Disabilities Wins Advertising Award

2010-06-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

Tallmadge, Ohio – The County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) is honored to announce that it is the recipient of a 2010 Silver Telly Award. The Silver Telly is a prestigious national honor awarded in the business community by the Silver Telly Council who recognizes local, regional and cable television commercials and programs in several different video and film categories.
The 2010 Silver Telly is the second Telly awarded to the Summit DD for excellence in the video production field. The winning commercial was a Weaver Gift Gallery 2009 Holiday Campaign animated commercial. Less than 10% of nearly 11,000 entries are chosen as Winners of a Silver Telly, the highest Telly honor. The Summit DD also won a Bronze Telly in 2007 for the Weaver Gift Gallery 2006 Holiday Campaign animated commercial. The commercial is available for viewing online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLrhzSefAdg&feature=channel

Commercials are made by the Summit DD to advertise the Gift Gallery stores as part of its mission to help people with disabilities to work in Summit County. Products are made for Gift Gallery by Weaver stores by artisans with disabilities at the Summit DD’s Canal Place facility, also know as ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches. ClayCrafters produce handmade pottery for the home and Custom Stitches sews items such as table runners, placemats, aprons, adult and baby bibs, basket liners and more. Gift Gallery stores are located inside of 4 of the Summit DD’s community service centers. Artisans are paid through Weaver Industries for their skills. The 30 second Weaver Gift Gallery commercial was filmed and edited by videographer Jonathan Cox and co-produced by Kevin McGee, Lucky Tisch and Kathy Lacy.
The County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board is an agency that provides services to more than 4,000 individuals with disabilities and their families in Summit County. It is the organization’s mission to be a primary community force that enables eligible individuals to work, live, learn, play and participate as equal citizens in their communities. The driving forces behind these efforts are the agency’s board members, as well as staff, families, affiliated agencies, advocates and the individuals served by the organization. The agency’s administrative offices are housed in the Weaver Learning Center, 89 East Howe Road in Tallmadge, Ohio. The Summit DD also operates ten community service centers including Akron Center, Barberton Center, Canal Place, Coventry Center, Cuyahoga Falls Center, Ellet Center, Tallmadge Center, Twinsburg Center, Southern Center, and Potomac Center. Services are also delivered through many Summit County employers and contract agencies. More information regarding the agency is available online at www.summitdd.org.
Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

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Camping opportunities still available for children and young adults with disabilities ages 6-22

2010-06-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

There are still opportunities available for Summit DD eligible program participants to attend Summer camp this season. There may be funds available to assist this camp fees. Depending on availability and eligibility, assistance is designated for persons age 6-22 with disabilities. Camps usually begin in late June and run for approximately 6 weeks. Many camps offer structured activities that are geared toward the needs of individuals with disabilities. Some camps provide transportation to and from the camp sites. For assistance, families can contact the Services & Support Administrator (SSA) that is assigned to their child’s school/school district, or by contacting the camps directly. Your child’s SSA will be able to assist you to access camps. Please contact the SSA assigned to your child’s school/school district if you require assistance.

Listed below is a reprint of the Sunday February 21, 2010, Akron Beacon Journal article about Camps for Children with Disabilities.

Akron Rotary Camp — Six one-week overnight camping sessions at 4460 Rex Lake Drive, New Franklin. Residents camp from June 13-July 30. For children ages 6-17 with physical, educational or developmental disabilities. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Akron with the Akron Area YMCA, $385 per week. Day camp offered from June 14 to Aug. 12 for ages 6-21 with disabilities, $275 per week. Adult overnight camp, 18 and over, July 4-9 and Aug. 8-13, $425 per week. Hale Farm Explorers Day Camp, six weekly sessions June 14-July 22, $275 per week. Siblings Camp and YMCA Medina Bees Camp also offered. Call 330-644-4512 or visit http://www.gotcamp.org.

Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Summer Camp — Ages 7-17 who have been treated at Akron Children's Hospital burn unit, Aug. 1-6 at Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, New Franklin. Funded by Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program. Contact Becky Mundy at 330-543-8813.

Camp CHOPS (Children's Hematology/Oncology Patients and Staff) — June 4-6 at Camp Christopher in Bath Township for children and adolescents who are coping with cancer, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia or serious blood disorders. For current or former patients of Akron Children's Hospital. Call Kim Schafer-Alt at 330-543-3278.

Camp Promise — Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. The Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service Center for Loss and Hope will hold a free camp for ages 6-11, June 14-16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To help children process a significant loss such as a parent, grandparent or sibling. Children will learn to manage and understand their grief through creative activities such as craft-making, drama, music and art therapy. Morning snack, boxed lunch and afternoon snack provided each day. A staff of experienced facilitators will oversee children as they go through the creative stations. Call Rochelle Sheppard at 330-668-4662 or 800-335-1455, ext. 4662.

Camp Quality Ohio — Ages 4-18 with cancer and 6-16 for siblings, at Craftsman Park, 4450 Rex Lake Drive, New Franklin. Overnight camp July 11-17. Free. Each child is paired with an adult companion who is with them at all times. Swimming, fishing, prom, karaoke, crafts and more. Application due June 1. Call Kerri Franks at 330-658-7015 or 330-524-7464, campqualityoh@aol.com or http://www.campqualityohio.org.

Catholic Youth Organization SumFun Day Camp — For ages 5-21 with disabilities. Five weekly camps at several sites in Summit County. Transportation available on first-come basis. Swimming, arts and crafts, field games and more. Camp strives to allow each child to maintain or improve social, motor, communication and self-care skills. Cost based on sliding scale. Some financial aid may be available. Call 330-762-2961, ext. 224, or visit http://www.akroncyo.org. E-mail tflannery@clevelandcatholiccharities.org.

Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron — Camp WonderLung for children ages 6-12 with asthma, overnight Aug. 13-15, at Camp Y-Noah in Green. Fishing, swimming, canoeing, crafts, hikes and other outdoor activities. Financial aid available. Call Jo Ann Bedore at 330-543-8585 or e-mail jbedore@chmca.org.

Lawrence Summer School — Summer school for grades 1-6 with learning disabilities and attention deficits, at 1551 E. Wallings Road, Broadview Heights, June 14-July 9. Students do not need to be enrolled in Lawrence School during the school year to take advantage of the four-week, half-day (mornings) summer academic program. Students receive consistent remediation in reading, written expression, language arts and mathematics. $850. 440-526-0717 or http://www.lawrenceschool.org.

Northeast Ohio Doing It Deaf Summer Youth Program — Greenleaf Family Center, 212 E. Exchange St., Akron. For deaf and hard-of-hearing youths and children of deaf adults in Summit, Portage, Wayne, Holmes and Medina counties starting in June until the school year begins. No cost to participants because of grant funding and fundraisers. Activities at various Northeast Ohio locations during summer yet to be determined. Call Shannon at 330-376-9494, ext. 248.

Society for Handicapped Citizens of Medina County — 4283 Paradise Road, Seville. Residential or day camps. Eight weekly themed camp sessions June 15-Aug. 13. Weeks 1 and 8 for ages 7-14 and their buddies, $525 residential, $450 day camp (regular rates apply if attending without buddy). For weeks 2 through 7, residential rate $395 per week for Medina County residents, $535 out-of-county residents. Day camp $300 for Medina County residents. Late fee of $100 after May 3. Call 330-722-1900, 330-336-2045, 330-225-4202 or visit http://www.shc-medina.org.

Stewart's Caring Place Day Camp — 2955 W. Market St., Fairlawn. A cancer wellness and educational center offering weeklong camp for children grades K-7 with cancer, or those who have a loved one experiencing cancer or someone who has died from cancer. Camp is 9 a.m. to noon, June 21-25. Therapeutic activities, crafts, songs, special programs and outdoor play, along with one field trip. Limited to 30 participants. All activities are free. Call Sarah Tower at 330-836-1772. Web site is http://www.stewartscaringplace.org.

Tourette Syndrome Camp — An adventure weekend for ages 7-17 at a site to be determined. Dates and fees to be determined. Hiking, tennis, basketball, swimming, boating, canoeing, horseback riding. Trained counselors and professional staff. 800-543-2675, or http://www.tsaohio.org.

Wooster Community Hospital Summer Fun Program — For school-age children who receive physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy in the summer. Evaluations begin the first week of June. A doctor's prescription for PT, OT or speech therapy is required. The program is on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each day. Biking, bowling, martial arts, horseback riding and water activities included. Group sessions run from June through mid-August. Call 330-202-3300.

Dancing Wheels Company and School ` 3615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Adult Summer Dance Workshop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 15-20, ages 16 to adult, $275. Youth Summer Dance Workshop, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ages 7-15, $175. Theatre Arts Camp, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 20-Aug. 1, ages 7-14, $275. Camps taught by Dancing Wheels Company members and staff. For a brochure or details, call Kristen Stilwell, school coordinator/administrator, at 216-432-0306 or e-mail proflair3@aol.com

I am the Summit DD – Summit DD Employee in the News

2010-06-01T08:00:00.001-07:00

The Summit DD’s Calico Manager Amy Lillenfield was recently spotted by the Canton Repository at a Pegasus Farms Open House. The following excerpt is from the article in last Tuesday’s newspaper.

Saturday’s Fun Day offered a variety of events, including the Northern Ohio Outlaw Shooters, a performance by the Glory Productions Dance Troop, the Subway Classic Series 2.5-mile XC Run-Walk, and a performance by the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Hand Prints Choir.

Samantha and Meredith spent the day at Pegasus with their mom, Amy Lilenfield, who works for the Summit County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“We love animals,” said Amy. “We’ve been here before. It is really cool.”

Read the entire article: http://www.cantonrep.com/carousel/x2134213928/Pegasus-Farm-welcomes-crowd-to-Family-Fun-Day

Summit DD Grand Openings a Success

2010-04-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

More than 400 people attended the two events held yesterday to dedicate the new Summit DD Community Service Centers in Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls. Photos and media coverage are available in numerous locations on the web.

First visit the Summit DD Facebook Page for all the latest details about the new centers and breaking media coverage:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/County-of-Summit-Developmental-Disabilities-Board/104884469545665

Akron-based WAKR news had details running all day on their three stations. The audio coverage is also available on their online news website AkronNewsNow.com - http://www.akronnewsnow.com/community/itemdetail.asp?ID=38980§ion=community&subsection=generalcommunity

The Akron Beacon Journal covered the progress that the new centers have made since they opened - Read their coverage on at Ohio.com - http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/92389574.html

Public Gets View of Two Centers Serving People with Disabilities

2010-04-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

News Release

April 27, 2010

Community News

Contact: Kevin McGee, Public & Community Relations

County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board

330.819.4403 or kmcgee@summitdd.org

Public Gets View of Two Centers Serving People with Disabilities
Tallmadge, Ohio – The County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) invited the public to see two new community service centers – one in Cuyahoga Falls and one in Barberton at the grand opening. The opening of these new community service centers meets the needs of Summit County’s residents with disabilities. Persons served began receiving services at the centers on March 1. Many dignitaries were on hand to help Patrick and Terri cut the ribbons on the new centers. Visit SummitDD.org/stories to read more about these two Summit DD program participants who helped cut the ribbon on the new centers.

The development of these centers are the fourth and fifth projects by the Summit DD which are considered to be completely integrated, community services centers. This means that these centers will allow people receiving programs in Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and surrounding communities to receive their programs in the natural environs of the cities in which they live. It also will allow for daily interaction with other community members which adds to the quality of life for all Summit County residents. Center attendees also have access to metro bus routes, restaurants, festivals, parks and libraries. They will be able to attend functions at the YMCA and other public facilities during the day or after work. It is at these centers that 50-75 people with disabilities will come to work each day, just like the thousands of their typical peers who come downtown to their jobs each morning.

Each new building is LEED certified. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque, which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.

The County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board is an agency that provides services to more than 4,000 individuals with disabilities and their families in Summit County. It is the organization’s mission to be a primary community force that enables eligible individuals to work, live, learn, play and participate as equal citizens in their communities. The driving forces behind these efforts are the agency’s board members, as well as staff, families, affiliated agencies, advocates and the individuals served by the organization. The agency’s administrative offices are housed in the Weaver Learning Center, 89 East Howe Road in Tallmadge, Ohio. The Summit DD also operates ten community service centers including Akron Center, Barberton Center, Canal Place, Coventry Center, Cuyahoga Falls Center, Ellet Center, Tallmadge Center, Twinsburg Center, Southern Center, and Potomac Center. Services are also delivered through many Summit County employers and contract agencies. More information regarding the agency is available online at www.summitdd.org.

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Brazillian Disabilities Organization Reaches Out to Summit DD Blog Readers

2010-04-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

A Summit DD Website user submitted the following contact form:

Name: : Larissa

Email: : larissalc@gmail.com

Phone: :

Comment: : Hello! How are you? My name is Larissa and I work at age., a communication agency from Brazil. When researching for blogs that support causes in favor of the handicapped, the content of your site has drawn our attention. Therefore, we think it might be interesting that you receive this release about an innovative social experiment proposed by the new campaign for the Handicapped Sports Association (in portuguese, ADD). To combat prejudice and convey the message that handicapped people are able to overcome any limitations, ADD invited Teco Barbero, a blind professional photographer, to produce the pictures of its new institutional campaign. After all, attitude is better than speech. He started to take professional photographs at age 21, when he attended a photography course for the blind idealized by documentarist Werinton Kermes. There, he learned to shoot using his own body. A tutorial was made to teach others how to use their own bodies, instead their sight, to shoot a picture. In addition, the campaign counts with a TV ad, a hotsite, which can be accessed by www.theblindclick.com/, and also a mobile version. You can watch the videocase here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ADDBrasil#p/u/1/yBrRKn5n-fs We know that blogs play a vital role in today´s communication and we believe that this information is relevant and pertinent to the content of your blog. Feel free to use it and we are available to answer any questions. Thank you for your attention.

The 2010 Census and People with DD in Summit County

2010-03-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Summit County DD has partnered with the Akron Area Census Bureau to ensure that all people served by the agency are counted. For more information about the census or for people with disabilities to gain assistance with completing the census forms, contact:

Aundrey J. Somerville
Partnership Specialist-Akron, OH
James Place
1033 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Rd Suite A
Akron, OH 44312
(330) 962-9132

Census Fact Sheet for People with Disabilities PDF

Census information influences the distribution of more than $400 billion each year in federal funds for programs in education, health care, community services, and economic development, among other areas.

In fiscal year 2007, the federal government used census information to guide the distribution of approximately $15 billion in services specifically to people with disabilities.*

The 2010 Census Questionnaire was mailed this month to all U.S. households, and the form contains only ten questions. To gather necessary information, census workers will visit households that do not return the forms.

According to the National Council on Disability, nearly one-third of households in America had at least one member with a disability. This statistic does not include an additional 2.1 million in nursing homes and group homes. In addition to government funding for general federal health care and education programs, the census influences a number of programs that directly serve individuals with disabilities.

Organizations that serve and advocate for people with disabilities can make a difference in accuracy of reporting by helping individuals who may need assistance in completing the census form. Help on filling out the forms also is available toll-free at (866) 872-6868 and TDD (866) 783-2010. Forms also are available in Braille.

Support this important statewide and nationwide effort by completing and returning your Census Questionnaire promptly. For more information, visit www.census.gov .

Record Publishing's Coverage of the New Cuyahoga Falls Community Service Center

2010-03-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

On March 1, the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board opened two new community integrated service centers, one in Cuyahoga Falls and the other in Barberton.

The centers are designed to provide work support and habilitation programs for clients of the agency. The centers are designed to serve no more than 75 people and will have a staff of approximately 15 direct care employees and two managers.

The Cuyahoga Falls center is on the corner of Second Street and Oakwood Drive. The 15,800-square-foot facility contains a Gift Gallery and Bistro that serves gourmet sandwiches, salads, Coke products, coffee, tea and desserts. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Complete article: http://www.fallsnewspress.com/news/article/4782793

Second photo online here:
http://www.fallsnewspress.com/news/article/4785561

Akron Life and Leisure March 2010 : Disability Awareness

2010-03-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

The following article is from a special DD Awareness Section of Akron Life and Leisure Magazine. Click here to see the entire section online, including photos, article and advertisers.

Disability Awareness
by Kevin McGee

The Term Mental Retardation is Disappearing from Common Usage Across Ohio So what should you call a person with mental retardation?

On July 9, 2009, Ted Strickland, Governor of the State of Ohio, signed Senate Bill 79, which dropped the term “mental retardation” from the name of the County of Summit Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the name of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. This change has caused many of the uninitiated to ask, “What’s the big deal with the term mental retardation? I thought it was a diagnosis or a common, even polite reference to a mental condition?”

The truth is that the term does remain as a diagnosis in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition,” also known as the DSM IV, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association that defines all known mental disorders and disabilities. However, over time language changes, in meaning and in use. A form of the word “mental retardation,” commonly referred to as “the R-word” has been morphed by popular culture into a pejorative, sometimes hateful term. Terms like “mentally retarded” and “the R-word” are far too commonly used to sarcastically chide and tease by those ignorant of the label’s damaging and hateful nature. A brief education in the use of the German form of the “R-word” in the Nazi eugenic policies 65 years ago might be helpful in convincing many of the true level of distaste that should be associated with such verbal affronts.

But changing times and changing attitudes can be expected to lead to changes in government policies and the language used by the state. For many, such language revisions might be considered the province of Orwellian “newspeak” from the “Ministry of Truth.” However, that is not entirely the case relative to the Ohio’s decision to change the name of the state department and 88 county boards that oversee the provision of developmental disability services to more than 70,000 Ohioans. It was different because it was those 70,000 people who became politically active to drive the change. You see, it was people with developmental disabilities and the organizations they have created in recent years (like People First of Summit County and the ARC of Summit and Portage Counties) that contacted government officials and advocated for change. It was not third party do-gooders who made this change but rather these organizations and their members with disabilities that requested that the term “mental retardation” be removed from the Ohio Revised Code. On their own behalf, they asked for a change to a law that has heretofore categorized all people with developmental disabilities with the broad, labeling brush of “MR” when in fact their commonality is that they are simply eligible for services.

On Jan. 13 of this year, the Summit Board of DD recognized the Summit County Chapter of People First of Ohio for the role that they played in making a change for the better for themselves and all the others who will come after them. During the board meeting, a special resolution was presented to the People First of Summit County officers—President Jack Carroll, Vice President Karen Dudock, Treasurer Brian Monroe—on behalf of people with disabilities.

So as a result of the law change, Akron Life & Leisure readers need to know two things: First, the new name of the primary community agency that provides and funds services for eligible Summit County residents is now known as the County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board. Second, some may still wonder, “What should you call a person with mental retardation?” To this question the thinking person might respond, “Try using their name.”

DD Awareness Month Launches as Summit County Aktion Club Self-Advocates Attend Ohio Statehouse Rally

2010-03-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

This morning from 10AM-12PM, Mary Anne Hibinger, John Belles and Dana Meissner were among hundreds of people with disabilities that attended the kickoff event for statewide celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

An estimated 300 individuals, family members, staff, service providers, legislators, and other stakeholders in the developmental disabilities community participated in the annual event. As in years past, the Statehouse Atrium area was the setting that welcomed people from all across the state. These SUmmit COunty residents and Summit DD program participants traveled to Columbus today with the Aktion Club adviser and Summit DD Volunteer Coordinator Bonnie Binns. Pictured Above Left - Aktion Club Members in the Statehouse Atrium

Each year the DODD hosts this free public event, in cooperation with Ohio Public Images (OPI) and the Ohio Association of County Boards. It is designed to raise awareness and understanding for DD issues.
Pictured Right - Statehouse Rally Crowd

The attendees cheered as numerous speakers with disabilities spoke in celebration of the many positive efforts throughout Ohio that afford opportunities for people with disabilities to work, learn, and live successfully in their local communities. The celebration will continues all month in Summit County. Special events planned include People First at the Movies on Thursday, March 18th where people who receive services from the Summit DD Board, their families, friends and caregivers will attend a free screening of “Alice in Wonderland” at the Linda Theater, 1745 Goodyear Blvd., Akron, Ohio. Contact Bonnie Binns at 330.634.8873 or bbinns@summitdd.org for more information. All stakeholders will be working to build awareness through a new campaign called "I am the Summit DD". Look for PSA billboards, radio spots and cable spots a well as a yard sign campaign being launched throughout March. Pictured above left - Summit County Aktion Club President John Belles and State Senator Jimmy Stewart, author of Senate Bill 29 in 2009 that removed the term MR from the more than 100 county and state agency names.

Any Summit DD stakeholders that would like to request a yard sign can contact Kelli Tishma at ktishma@summitdd.org.

Watch the Summit DD Website and Blog for more information about activities and information regarding this month of awareness.

Two new centers that hire people with disabilities open in Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls

2010-03-04T05:06:00.000-08:00

Republished from the Akron Beacon Journal -

Two new centers that hire people with disabilities open in Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Thursday, Mar 04, 2010

The doors of two new centers for the disabled opened quietly this week in Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton.

But officials with the Summit County Development Disabilities Board are hopeful the two new centers will make a big impact in the lives they serve.

Read the full article at : http://www.ohio.com/news/86310697.html

Dear Summit DD Blog Readers:

I wish to sincerely thank Bill Lilley and Karen Schiely for the time they took to come out and visit our new Cuyahoga Falls Center. The photos and details of the center are a wonderful way for the ABJ readers to get a glimpse of these two projects that have been two years in the making.

I wanted to add a few details about the centers that, even though generous, the ABJ article editorial space did not allow for.

I want to refer all readers back to the details of the original blog, posted on Tuesday, which includes details on the size and purpose of the new Summit DD Centers. http://summitdd.blogspot.com/2010/03/doors-open-on-two-new-centers-barberton.html

This news release also included details regarding the projects LEED certification - a very important and unique feature of these new buildings. It is also VERY worthwhile to point out that these centers went up on schedule and on budget. Construction Project Manager and Summit DD Operation Director, Tom Jacobs and his staff deserve congratulations for a job well done. In addition, the transition period which closed the Bath Center and opened the two new centers was a tribute to planning and organization - conceived and executed by Bill Payne, Jean Fish, Darann Warner and more than 100 direct care and transportation staff members. Services for the hundreds of people that transitioned to new locations and pick-up/drop-off times on Monday of this were seamless and elicited very, very few complaints.

Of course the real heroes of the move were the people who receive services from the Summit DD and their families. Many people who are not entrenched in the day-to-day of the disability services may not realize how hard life can be even when live follows a strict routine. Add in the factors of new schedules, new locations, new care staff, new bus drivers and other changes, and a families life can spiral into disarray. My admiration and appreciation goes out to all the families and people served that have transitioned with us. Theirs acceptance of the growing demand for services, their invitation to all those who need day programs to JOIN THEIR SYSTEM and SHARE THEIR RESOURCES is the biggest sacrifice of all.

I want all readers to realize that in 2005, the Summit DD promised the voters that it would end the waiting list of eligible Summit County residents that were requesting day programs. That waiting list was eliminated by the end of 2006. Since the time of the promise, the number of people served by the Summit DD has risen from 2,900 to over 4,000 ELIGIBLE people. These latest centers and that capacity that they create represent the board's continued commitment to maintain a zero waiting list. With the many eligible young adults that come out of Summit County High Schools every year, expansion sites like these are very important. Plus, providing the services for all in the communities close to where they live is much better that the magnate locations of the past.

The Akron Beacon Journal has a difficult job to do in covering a wide array of community subjects and reporting in language that all will understand upon a single reading of a brief story. However, I do want to clarify a few items from the story in today's paper. The first is the fact that the story quoted me as NOT using people first language. I am a huge proponent of language that dignifies and affirms individual value. (I am the author of the marketing tag line - "What do you call a person with mental retardation? Try using their name!" I have done extensive speaking and writing as a proponent of building societies disdain for the "R word". An opinion piece has been published in the March Akron Life and Leisure that will clarify any doubt about how I feel about this language. I would never say that our centers serve "disabled people." Let me assure this blogs readers that I used people first language (i.e. we serve people with disabilities) at all times during my discourse with the ABJ.

Another point of the article that I would like to clarify is my statement regarding the levels of integration of these centers. They are no less integrated that Ellet, Twinsburg or Coventry Twp, however, they are more urban or metropolitan in their integrated location. The other centers are integrated into more retail community settings. Relative to the uniqueness of the centers, my statement is as follows, ''You would be hard pressed to find another organization in Ohio, and even throughout the nation, that is offering A HIGHER level of integration to center-based community support. It is truly outstanding for the people we serve.'' To prevent any confusion, it is also worth noting, that their is no food service at the Gift Gallery in Barberton, in fact we have deigned only a small Gift Galley Kiosk space in the lobby which will have products available during regular center hours - no food. Also, the Gift Gallery Bistro is the pilot - not the centers themselves. These are the fourth and fifth community integrated, smaller center project that the Summit DD has completed in the last six years. It is the first, pilot, Gift Gallery Bistro store where food service is being tested to provide employment and training for eligible people.

Please contact me directly with any questions about this Blog comment or the ABJ Article and once again, thank you to the ABJ for bringing attention to these very important, community integrated projects. All our lives are better we understand, accept and support integration of people with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Kevin McGee

kmcgee@summitdd.org

Akron Beacon Journal to Publish Story on New Summit DD Centers

2010-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

ABJ Reporter Bill Lilley called to follow-up on the recent blog release about the Summit DD's opening its two new centers in Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls. Lilley and ABJ Photographer Karen Shiely visited the Cuyahoga Falls facility today on a fact collecting photo shoot. The article and photos will most likely be published in tomorrow's Metro Section. Lilley took the time to talk with Center Manager Darann Warner and Sheily collected photographs of a handful of program participants (who's guardians had signed photo releases). Two notable people who were photographed were Nancy and Karen Peiser who where featured in a April 17, 2009 ABJ article about the groundbreaking for the new center. Click here to see the groundbreaking photos.

Pictured Above Right - ABJ Photographer Karen Shiely photographs Karen Peiser at work on a Kong Products packaging job in the Cuyahoga Falls Work Center.

Please look for the article tomorrow in the paper or online at www.Ohio.com. Media visits are also being arranged with the Barberton Herald and Cuyahoga Falls News Press.

Pictured Above Left - Akron Beacon Journal Reporter Bill Lilley speaks with Kevin McGee and Darann Warner about the service being provided in the new community centers.

25 Year Summit DD Employee - Buchanan Recognized as Red Cross Hero

2010-03-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

More than 250 attendees gathered at Quaker Station in downtown Akron tonight to recognize a select group of local heroes who used quick thinking, calm nerves and lifesaving skills to save the life of another in the past year. Among those recognized where safety services first responders, and others who had used CPR and other skills taught by the Red Cross to save the lives of family members, coworkers, neighbors or complete strangers. Among them was Buck Buchanan, long-time Summit DD board Maintenance manager and Summit Housing supervisor.

Master of Ceremonies, Deputy Akron Mayor David Lieberth stated the following about Buchanan:

"Last summer, Buck Buchanan was working in the bag room at Firestone Country Club. When Buck stepped outside he noticed group of men nearby who were attending that day’s PGA tournament. The men were gathered around Joe Nageotte, who appeared to be seriously ill. When Buck approached to see if he could help he saw that Joe was very pale. One of the men said that Joe had passed out earlier that day. Buck, who is trained in first aid and CPR, checked to see if Joe was breathing and had a pulse. When he found neither, Buck and another man cleared Joe’s airway and begin administering CPR. Buck directed the people who had gathered to call 911 and to wait at the road for EMS. Paramedics from the Akron fire department soon arrived and took over CPR. Joe was eventually transferred to an ambulance and taken to the hospital. Sadly, Joe passed away two days later. But thanks to Buck’s quick response and lifesaving efforts, Joe’s family had time to notify his relatives and to say their good-byes."

Buck and wife Glenda pictured below at the event

Summit DD Board Members William Ginter, Olivia Demas and Cynthia Walker were on hand to congratulate Buchanan and all the honorees

Doors Open on Two New Centers - Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls

2010-03-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the doors quietly swung open on two beautiful new community service centers in Summit County. These centers are the culmination of two years of planning and represent the finest, community integrated service locations for people with disabilities in Ohio, and possibly the nation. The centers are specifically designed to provide work supports and habilitation programs. The centers are designed to serve no more than 75 people and will have a staff of approximately 15 direct care employees and 2 managers. Each center is also a community location for 3-4 Service and Support Administrators to meet with families, guardians and caregiver of all those served in the respective communities. Neither center will begin operating at capacity as only 58 people arrived at each of Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls Centers on Monday morning. The 150 day program slots created by the new centers has more than absorbed the service capacity reduction that occurred with the the closing of the Bath Center and has alleviated crowding issues system-wide, that have been growing for years as other centers. The opening of these latest facilities brings the total number of community services centers to ten: Akron Center ( West Akron on Exchange St), Barberton Center, Cuyahoga Falls Center, Tallmadge Center, Ocseola Center (Ocseola/Tallmadge Ave), Twinsburg Center, Southern Center (South Akron/Massilon Rd), Canal Place (Downtown Akron ), Ellet, Coventry Center (Portage Lakes/ Manchester Rd).

The new centers are LEED Certified construction projects, which means they were built with the environment in mind. The layout and community integration are designed to allow County of Summit Board of DD staff to deliver the highest quality programs. Both locations will allow for daily community interactions with the surrounding, vibrant, downtowns of Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton. People with disabilities served in these locations are walking distance from a variety of businesses and public resources and therefore will be able to access the YMCA, the Natatorium, Metro Parks, Lake Anna, the Front Street Retail District, Whitehouse Chicken and Sweet Henrie's Ice Cream, the Riverfront Irish Festival, Metropolis Gourmet Popcorn . . . and . . .well, lots of community attractions that many typical residents of theses communities sometime take for granted.

Barberton Center: The recently completed Barberton Center located across from the new new YMCA on the corner of Hopocan and Wunderlich Ave is 15,000 sq ft. ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches products are available for purchase in the lobby of the center.
Hours of program operations: 10:15 am -- 4:15 pm
Facility Manager: Rich Rybak
Phone: 330-634-8250
Cuyahoga Falls is on the corners of Second St and Oakwood and is 15,800 sq ft. This facility contains a beautiful Gift Gallery and Bistro that IS NOW SERVING THE PUBLIC gourmet sandwiches, salads, Coke products, coffee, tea and desserts. The complete lines of ClayCrafters and Custom Stitches products along with more than 100 gift ideas for any occasion are available during the stores hours of operation (8am-7pm Mon-Fri and 10-6 Sat, closed on Sun).
Hours of program operations: 10:15 am -- 4:15 pm
Facility Manager: Darann Warner
Phone: 330-634-8200

A grand opening celebration for both centers has been planned for Wednesday, April 28.

Gift Gallery Bistro in Cuyahoga Falls Opens for Business

2010-03-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

Today at 8 AM, the County of Summit DD Board Gift Gallery Bistro in Cuyahoga Falls opened for business. This opening was in conjunction with the first day of service provision at the two new community centers in Cuyahoga Falls and Barberton. The Gift Gallery Bistro is much like the other gift gallery stores, however, the bistro offers a express menu of beverages, breakfast and lunch. The menu is self service and offers patrons a comfortable downtown Cuyahoga Falls atmosphere to spend time, eat, meet and chat. All the stores employ people with developmental disabilities.

The breakfast menu includes a variety of muffins, bagels and egg breakfast sandwiches. The typical lunch menu includes soup, salads and sandwiches including turkey club, chicken and vegetarian selections. Beverages include a variety of Coca-Cola products, coffee and tea. Snacks and desserts include cheesecake, cookies and ice cream.

The regular hours for the bistro will be 8A-7P Mon-Fri and 10-6 Sat, closed on Sun.

Despite Snowy Winter Conditions the Summit DD Programs Remain Open

2010-02-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Northern Ohio is experiencing yet another winter storm today with as many as 10 inches predicted by sunset. As the snow came down this morning the radio announcers cried out the school and business closings. Amongst the reports was the message - "County of Summit DD OPEN - NO BUSES - NO TRANSPORTATION"
While this message is not as simple as many the many other closing announcements that were heard this morning, the subtlety of the meaning is not lost on the hundreds of families that relay on the Summit DD programs to provide a day program or work opportunity for their loved ones with developmental disabilities, regardless of the weather, so that all members of the family can make it to work today.

The "Open - no transportation" message means that Summit DD buildings and programs will be open and staff will report to work. Providers/family members may transport individuals to and from their regular programs. Those employees who take public transportation directly to and from work, or have private transportation are to report to work.

Whats the big deal? Why shouldn't the Summit DD close their centers just like a school? How many people does it affect? WIth more than 1,000 people served in their work centers and community employment programs, the SUmmit DD's choice to stay open means that FAMILIES can choose to transport their loved ones on their own.

Maybe the Summit DD is taking a play from the book of the US Post Office with this philosphy to put the people served and the families first. Although the SUmmit DD has no official motto, the unofficial motto today should read, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these public servants from the swift completion of their supports so that eligible individuals can work and learn even during Ohio winters!"

Special Note: In the past when authorities declare travel in Summit County dangerous the agency has suspended all services until safe travel by its employees and program participants is once again possible.

People with Disabilities Make a Difference for People of Haiti

2010-02-18T13:41:00.001-08:00

The Summit DD Southern Center Current Events Club - comprised of people with disabilities that work at the Summit DD Southern Center on Massilon Road, Akron, Ohio were recently discussing the troubles caused by the earthquake in Haiti. The people in the club expressed concerns about the people of Haiti and planned, with the assistance of staff, a bake sale. All the proceeds from the bake sale would benefit the American Red Cross for the Haiti relief fund. Many staff and individuals from Southern pitched in to bake and sell items the week of January 25^th.

On February 12^th some of those individuals traveled to The American Red Cross and deliver a check for $405. This was a great way for individuals who attend the Southern Center to contribute to a worthy cause. Members of the club are pictured here presenting the check to Mike Taylor, Marketing Director for the Red Cross of Summit and Portage Counties.

The bigotry behind the word 'retard'

2010-02-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

Reprinted From The Washington Post and forwarded to my inbox by the ARC of Ohio email list.

"The bigotry behind the word 'retard'

By Timothy Shriver

Monday, February 15, 2010

Professor and author Christopher M. Fairman ["The case against banning the word 'retard,' " Outlook, Feb. 14] made good arguments about the limits of language to effect change in behavior and attitude, as well as about the nuanced ways in which words such as "retard," "queer" and "gay" can carry multiple meanings, some of which intend no insult or humiliation.

But I believe he missed the point of the campaign by people who have intellectual disabilities, their friends, advocates and tens of thousands of individuals and dozens of organizations: We are fighting a word because it represents one of the most stubborn and persistent stigmas in history. Millions of people have a prejudice they often are not even aware of. It is much bigger than a word, but words matter. And the word "retard," whatever its history, reflects a massive problem.
Mental Disability Rights International has found evidence around the world of horrific conditions -- starvation, abuse, isolation -- in institutions serving people with intellectual disabilities. It happens in this country. In Texas, caregivers were recently found to be forcing residents of an institution to awake in the middle of the night and fight one another while staffers cheered and taunted. Here in Washington, repeated investigations have revealed people with intellectual disabilities as the victims of abuse, indifference and negligent death.
Seventy to 90 percent of people with intellectual disabilities in the United States are estimated to be unemployed. Special Olympics studies reveal that more than 60 percent of Americans don't believe that children with intellectual disabilities should be educated in their child's school. Special Olympics' work with health-care providers reveals, among almost all medical professions, a shocking lack of training in the care of people with intellectual disabilities.
Sadly, it seems that many assume that poor health care, poor living conditions and underemployment are inevitable. As one health insurance agent told a parent of a child with Down syndrome seeking health care, "Ma'am. We're not paying for services. Your child is retarded!"
Our coalition seeks no law to ban words and no official censorship against those who freely use "retard." Fairman is surely correct that as language evolves, new words that carry disgusting ridicule will emerge. He can study them and educate us about their evolution.
But for our part, we are trying to awaken the world to the need for a new civil rights movement -- of the heart. We seek to educate people that a crushing prejudice against people with intellectual disabilities is rampant -- a prejudice that assumes that people with significant learning challenges are stupid or hapless or somehow just not worth much. They're, um, "retarded." And that attitude is not funny or nuanced or satirical. It's horrific.
Last week, I tried to assuage the depression of a Special Olympics athlete, an adult, who can't stop hearing the taunt of "retard" that plagued her through school. She has few friends and struggles with a terrifying sense of isolation. Counseling and medication aren't enough. There is nowhere she feels she fits in.
Her pain is enough for me to change my language. That's only a small step and we need many more. But we're not going to get these changes until and unless we awaken our fellow citizens to the truth: Most of us look down on people with intellectual disabilities, and we don't even realize it.
And that's why this word is important: "Retard" is a symbol of a pain few realize exists. Even when it's not directed at people with intellectual disabilities, it perpetuates that pain and stigma. We hope that the discussion about ending it will awaken millions to the hope of ending the discrimination it represents.
If we're successful, the world will discover the joy, hope and sparkling individuality of millions of people. With that, real change will come.
It can't come soon enough.

The writer is chairman and chief executive of Special Olympics.

SSA's and other Summit DD Staff Get Cultural Competence Training

2010-01-29T06:37:00.000-08:00

With growing number of non-English speaking Summit County residents, the Summit DD has been placing a new focus on understanding these groups that are "harder to reach" because of language and cultural barriers. As one of the steps toward improving the ability of the agency to deliver services to ALL WHO ARE ELIGIBLE, the Summit DD engaged the expertise of the International Institute of Akron and their community outreach professional Natalya Mytareva. Today, more than 100 staff gathered in the basement training center of the Akron Chapter of the American Red Cross on Marketing Street. Topics of the training included:

The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
Immigration Categories of Foreign Born in the US
Challenges that immigrants and refugees face in the US
Summit County's Immigrant Profile