Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities

09/10/2026

💙 In Loving Memory of Coach Andrae Stewart 💙

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our beloved, longtime Lucas County Special Olympics coach, Andrae Stewart.

Andrae was so much more than a coach. He was a mentor, a friend, a supporter, and a steady source of encouragement for the athletes and families who had the privilege of knowing him. For years, he gave his time, his heart, and his unwavering belief to the athletes he coached.

His impact cannot be measured in wins, losses, medals, or seasons. It lives in the confidence he helped build, the smiles he created, the memories he made, and the countless lives he touched simply by showing up and caring.

To our Special Olympics Ohio -Lucas County athletes: Coach Andrae believed in you. His voice, his encouragement, and his love for this community will remain with you always.

We extend our deepest condolences to Andrae’s family, loved ones, friends, and everyone who was fortunate enough to call him coach.

Thank you, Coach Andrae, for the years of dedication, compassion, laughter, and love you gave to our athletes. Your legacy will continue every time an athlete steps onto the court or field, gives their best, and remembers the coach who believed in them.
In honor and loving memory of Coach Andrae, we will gather together for a Flashlight Vigil on September 23 at 7:45 PM. Rain date: September 24 at 7:45 PM, on the Softball field next to our Admin building. We invite our Special Olympics family, friends, athletes, coaches, and community members to come together as we remember Andrae, celebrate his life, and shine a light in his memory.

We are also accepting gift card donations for Andrae’s family during this difficult time. If you would like to contribute, gift cards can be brought with you to the vigil or dropped off at our Administrative Building. Any contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated and is a meaningful way to show our love and support for Andrae’s family.
Once we are aware of final arrangements, we will pass them along.

Rest peacefully, Coach. You will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved. 💙

09/08/2026

Join us at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Lucas DD for the 2026 Voters Forum on Disability Issues. Candidates scheduled to appear include Fournier for Ohio, James Nowak, David Karmol, Elgin Rogers for Ohio, State Rep. Michele Grim, Ed Schimmel - for Ohio Representative 44th District, Erika White for State Representative, Friends of Ian Chamberlin, Lisa Sobecki for County Commissioner, and Rettig for Ohio.
Moderator: Katie Shelley, Community Engagement and Advocacy Specialist at Disability Rights Ohio.
This event is a collaboration between Lucas DD, The Ability Center, Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Disabilities, Avenues for Autism, and The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio!

Join us on, Monday, September 14th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Training Center, located at 1155 Larc Lane in Toledo, for our 2026 Voters' Forum on Disability Issues!

During this forum, candidates for State Legislature will be discussing disability related issues in our community.

This will be an empowering and informative forum, don't miss out!

RSVP using the link in the comments.

Don't have transportation to the forum, but still want to be informed? We will be live on Facebook during the event.

This forum is held in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Commission on Disabilities, Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Avenues for Autism, and the The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio.

08/31/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

As part of our Friday Update, we continue highlighting the dedicated staff members who help make Lucas DD what it is.

Throughout August, we featured Mary, Krissy, Teresa, and Sharese, celebrating decades of service, meaningful connections, and the many ways they support individuals and families.

Together, these four have more than a century of Lucas DD experience. From helping people thrive and discover what's possible to championing advocacy, creating opportunities, and empowering others to live life on their own terms, their stories reflect the heart and purpose behind this work.

Swipe through for a snapshot of each spotlight.

Want the full stories?
Check out the August Friday Updates in your inbox.
Not subscribed? Sign up to receive future Staff Spotlights and community updates: bit.ly/FriUpdate

𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚.

08/28/2026

Earlier this week, the Lucas DD Board of Directors gave a Special Recognition Award to Parkutoledo for its support of our Special Olympics Ohio -Lucas County programs and athletes. The Board also recognized Jackie Diebert as the Staff Person of the Month and the recent retirements of longtime staff Sally Damschroder, Lisa Harris, and Margaret Zotkiewicz.
We also heard from Phillis, Jordan (seen below at the podium), Ted, and Kristina, all individuals served that are now graduates of the inaugural class of the Lucas DD Leadership Academy!
Read all about it and see more photos at https://lucasdd.org/blog/2026-08-26/individuals-staff-community-organization-all-recognized-august-board-meeting

08/18/2026

Thanks to 13abc's Matt Mergen TV for stopping by the Maumee Indoor Theatre Sunday for CommUNITY Film Fest, a collaboration with our friends at FilmToledo.

CommUNITY Film Fest

08/15/2026

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! The Maumee Indoor Theatre is the place to be for our 12th annual CommUNITY Film Fest, presented by Lucas DD and FilmToledo. 13 amazing films created by individuals with developmental disabilities. We'll also have a performance from iDance Adaptive Performing Arts Center that you do not want to miss and stick around for the awards presentation after all the films have been shown. Among those presenting the awards is one of our celebrity judges, 13abc's Ethan Watts!

Prepping for the 12th Annual CommUNITY Film Fest, happening this Sunday at the Maumee Indoor Theatre!

https://facebook.com/events/s/community-film-fest/865300169983805/

Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Michael DeSanto Charles Wetzel Jr. - Actor Bob Fredericks

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Project STIR graduates, who today completed their 3-day training at Lucas DD! Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) is an advocacy/leadership training designed to provide people with disabilities and their allies the tools to advocate for themselves, work with others in advocacy and gain leadership experiences.

08/03/2026

How about those Lucas DD Trash Pandas?!👏Fun fact: The 110 bags collected contain nearly *3,000 pounds* of litter! Go 🐼!

We're entering the home stretch of the ! 📣

Teams have completed 64 cleanups, totaling 386 bags of litter cleaned up (so far). 😎 Here’s a breakdown of our top teams in each league ~

🥇 Nonprofit: Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Trash Pandas ~ 110 bags
🥇 Community Group: Frogtown Filth Faction ~ 82 bags
🥇 Business: Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority Trash Troop ~ 37 bags
🥇 Family/Individual: Planet Daddies ~ 23.5 bags

Only 29 more days of the 2026 Toledo Litter League Season - the game comes to a close on August 31st. Go teams! 🏆

Want to learn more about the Toledo Litter League? Learn more at our website - link in comments.

07/31/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

As part of our Friday Update, we continue highlighting the some of the dedicated staff members who help make Lucas DD what it is.

Throughout July, we featured Karen, Becky, Sommer, Margaret, and Amy, celebrating the passion, advocacy, and dedication they bring to individuals, families, and our community.

From helping children reach milestones and supporting meaningful employment to navigating complex systems, empowering self-advocacy, and providing compassionate nursing support, each story reflects the many ways our staff make a lasting impact.
Swipe through for a snapshot of each spotlight.

Want the full stories? Check out the July Friday Updates in your inbox.

Not subscribed? Sign up to receive future Staff Spotlights and community updates: bit.ly/FriUpdate

𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚.

07/27/2026

Lucas DD Superintendent Michele Myerholtz, Toledo City Council members Nick Komives and Sam Melden, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, and The Ability Center Director Ash Lemons all gave remarks today as the City of Toledo raised the Disability Pride flag for the first time in its history.