Join us in welcoming the newest members of the Summit DD team! Be on the lookout for future job openings on our Careers page. Laura Poundstone, Investigative Agent “I started my career in residential settings for Hattie Larlham and Koinonia Homes. I worked at Cuyahoga Board of DD as an IA for five years prior teaching in multiple disabilities classrooms for 12 years in Cleveland Heights and Akron. At Summit DD, I am excited to learn more about providers and services offered in Summit County. My husband and I are the proud parents of three young adults. This fall will mark the last season we wi ..read more

The spring season in Northeast Ohio is full of fun and inclusive events for adults, families and kids! Explore our comprehensive Inclusive Spring Activity Guide below. Be sure to share it with family and friends! Inclusive Spring Activities Akron Zoo Spring EventsThe fully inclusive Akron Zoo has several can’t-miss spring events! Including Wildlife Illuminated, Brew at the Zoo, and sensory-friendly Zoothing Hours. The Akron Zoo is sensory-certified by KultureCity, making sensory bags and zones available for patrons. More event details can be found here. Stan Hywet Hall & GardensThe histori ..read more

On April 8, 2024 we will have an amazing opportunity to be along the path of totality for the solar eclipse. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The event begins at 1:59pm, as a partial eclipse, and will last through 4:29pm. The total solar eclipse (totality) will be visible everywhere in Summit County from 3:13 pm-3:17 pm. Because of the high amount of traffic and visitors expected, along with predicted limited cell phone availability, Summit DD will be following advice from Summit County EMA and limiting public access to both buildings on April 8. You will be able to reach any Summit DD ..read more

Summit DD’s Appreciation Breakfast and Awards Celebration brought together more than 300 social service agencies, disability providers, local elected officials, community members and families to celebrate the impact of five award winners! This celebration was the perfect way to close out a record-breaking month long celebration of DD Awareness. See photos from the event below and join us in congratulating our award winners! And don’t forget, even though DD Awareness Month is over, you can celebrate inclusion year round! Yam Magar, Carlene Weaver Achievement Award Yam Magar is a sign langua ..read more

In late-2022, Summit DD launched a Smart Home to showcase the impact that assistive technology can have on the lives of people with developmental disabilities. In 2023, the Smart Home was toured by nearly 500 people throughout the community, including individuals served, parents, disability providers, and many more. “Our amazing SSA’s (Service and Support Administrators) forwarded 221 referrals to discuss how assistive technology and/or remote supports can meet each person’s unique needs to enhance their independence, have control in their environments and access their communities,” proudly sh ..read more

Looking for *inclusive Family-Friendly events for your little one? You’re in luck! Our Early Intervention team compiled a list of local events and activities that are sure to engage your little ones. UDS Toy & Resource Lending Library United Disability Services’ toy lending library loans developmental toys and resource materials to preschools, therapists, parents, grandparents, and anyone working with a child from 0-6 years old. Families working with Early Intervention can rent these items free of charge. Check out their website for hours and more information. Baby and Me Sign language Lea ..read more

The DD Awareness Month Celebration continues! Over the weekend, Summit DD was proud to team up with Summit ArtSpace to host the first Akron ArtWalk of the year “A Vision of Empowerment” in recognition of DD Awareness Month. Over 400 attendees joined us for a celebration of the arts – all with accessibility and inclusion at the heart of the evening! In planning for this event, Summit DD supported Summit ArtSpace’s inclusion efforts by conducting an on-site accessibility audit which identified various ways to foster accessibility during the ArtWalk. Our team provided support in implementing acce ..read more

Searching for activities, new skill development or support ideas? Check out these Early Intervention resources we’ve compiled for you. Language and Vocabulary: Supporting Language and Literacy Skills from 0-12 Months Children develop early literacy skills when you give them the chance to play with and explore books and other written materials like magazines, newspapers, take-out menus, markers, and crayons. Language and literacy, while two different skills, build on one another in important ways. This article provides strategies and activities for supporting both language and literacy in litt ..read more

Contributor: Developmental Specialist, Stacy Bailey, EIS Spring 2024 is All About Communication: Did you know that babies understand language before they can use it!  Communicating with your child is what helps them develop their own skills. Typically, we see gestures for communication before words – like waving, reaching, pointing. Treat these as words your child is saying to you! Receptive Language is what a child hears and understands. Expressive Language is what a child produces or says. Want more? For more information on language development as well as activities you can be doing t ..read more

Summit County kicked off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in record-breaking style! Over 25,000 people united to celebrate Inclusion Day…showing that our great community is strongest when everyone is included! More than 11,500 people requested inclusion kits, 13,300+ individuals visited the Akron Zoo Inclusion Weekend, and hundreds of businesses, organizations, and community members throughout the county wore orange to show their inclusion pride! Together we truly “painted” the town orange! See what we all accomplished together in the comprehensive slideshow below! So many happy face ..read more