Van Wert County Board of Developmental Disabilities

01/28/2026

Less than a week until the Planning For The Future webinar!!
This free program will cover strategies to help plan for the future of a loved one with a disability. The presentation is being held over Zoom on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30pm. This is a great way for families to get information firsthand from an attorney and ask any questions. Registration is required.
Register Here: https://shorturl.at/8P4kI

Go to the Phillips & Graham LLC website to check out their other educational opportunities. https://www.pglawohio.com/programs

Don't miss the next opportunity to hear Attorney Derek Graham speak about planning for the future of a loved one with a disability during this webinar on February 3 at 6:30 p.m. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yIS6GH06S_un8eEHFUJ2Gw #/registration

01/26/2026

Have you heard of Keith's Law?
Ohioans with disabilities may now choose to voluntarily register in a secure statewide database created under Keith’s Law. This database helps first responders be made aware that the driver or a person in the vehicle may have difficulty communicating and can approach the vehicle with awareness to reduce any potential misunderstandings or problems.

Individuals enroll by completing the verification form which is available by contacting the County Board of DD office or by visiting the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities website: dodd.ohio.gov/your-family/safety-security/keiths-law . A portion of the form must be completed by a healthcare provider.

This important legislation, known as Keith's Law, builds upon Communication Disability Law, enabling first responders to have information shared by individuals with disabilities when responding to countywide 9-1-1 calls.

01/23/2026

Edit: This event is CANCELLED due to weather and will be rescheduled!

Win like never B4! 🎱
Play Bingo with us at the library, Monday January 26th at 6 PM at Main.
Participation is free, all ages are welcome, games are played just for the glory of it all, and we can’t wait to see who gets lucky!

01/22/2026

📣 For the safety of our volunteers and those who attend, we are postponing the mobile food distribution event that was originally scheduled for next Tuesday. We will have a distribution on TUESDAY, FEB. 3RD and TUESDAY, FEB. 24TH! 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Please share!! We can also always use volunteers for these events. Please reach out if you are interested.

01/21/2026

Are you interested in learning more about disability etiquette? Join Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities on January 22 for an engaging webinar focused on fostering respectful and inclusive interactions with people with disabilities—both in the workplace and when serving visitors and guests.

This session will:
✅ Enhance your understanding of disability awareness and etiquette
✅ Provide practical communication strategies
✅ Offer actionable tips for creating accessible, welcoming environments for all

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/4bttAt1

01/21/2026

01/19/2026

EDIT: THIS IS POSTPONED UNTIL FEB. 3RD!

Reminder that January’s mobile food distribution is next Tuesday!

West Ohio Food Bank

01/15/2026

Registration will be open soon for DD Awareness & Advocacy Day!
Every year we celebrate March as National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Each March every year, hundreds of advocates come to the Ohio Statehouse to advocate on issues important to Ohioans with developmental disabilities. This year’s event is on March 4th, 2026.
Registration opens January 23, 2026.
Stay tuned for the registration link!

The Ohio Channel will also be streaming the event live.

An annual event for Ohioans with Developmental Disabilities, their families & allies.

01/13/2026

The NOWAC County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, Henry, Defiance, Fulton, and Williams) have invited Attorney Derek Graham to offer a virtual program on special needs planning. This free program will cover strategies to help plan for the future of a loved one with a disability. The presentation is being held over Zoom on Tuesday, February 3rd at 6:30pm. This is a great way for families to get information firsthand from an attorney and ask any questions. Registration is required.
Click here to hold your spot at this unique educational opportunity: https://shorturl.at/8P4kI

01/12/2026

🚌 Public Transportation is coming to Van Wert through a $72,000 OneOhio grant spearheaded by First United Methodist Church and a partnership with RTA of Lima.
Save these dates:
✅ Jan 15 – Discovery Day: See the buses in person around town and take a FREE test ride to see how easy it is to use.
✅ Jan 19 – Official Launch: Public micro-transit officially goes live in Van Wert!
How it works: It’s like a community ride-share. You can request a door-to-door ride via an app or phone call.
Cost: Only $3 for a one-way trip ($6–$12 for country routes).
Purpose: Work, doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or the food pantry.
Bridging the Gap will be using grant funds in creative ways such as providing bus passes or other transportation needs (gas, car repair, etc). These will evolve over the next few months.

Interested in learning more about the NEW Van Wert County transportation services? Please join us tomorrow for a "practice" day to experience how microtransit and demand response services will work. It's free and open to the public. A second session will be held next week on Jan. 15, as well. Questions? Call RTA at 419-222-2782.

12/17/2025

Take a night off from cooking and support a good cause. Dine at Beer Barrel tonight from 5pm-8pm and support Van Wert County Special Olympics. 🍕🥤

We are so thankful to Beer Barrel Pizza & Grill for hosting a Dine and Donate to help us raise money for Winter Games❄️

Please join us on December 17 from 5-8 at Beer Barrel in Van Wert. Mention you are their dine and donate and then just enjoy your meal!

Hope to see you there🍕