Find ways on how to develop a more inclusive community.

DEVELOPING A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

FIVE THINGS TO PROMOTE INCLUSION

1. Be Inclusive.

Support ways people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community life. 2. Volunteer. Share your time, interest and friendship. Become a community friend.

3. Hire someone with a developmental disability and enhance workforce

diversity. People with disabilities can work and want to work.

4. Connect. Support and empower people with developmental disabilities. 5. Inspire. Invite one of Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Good Life Ambassadors to speak at your agency, business or event.

Being a part of the community was especially challenging during the COVID19 pandemic — particularly for people with developmental disabilities.

It also highlighted the need to continue efforts to provide unique offerings, including virtual and recreational activities.

To help improve the accessibility, depth and breadth of services offered, the Cuyahoga Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) provided funds to 14 local recreational agencies and municipalities to expand their services to and usage by adults with developmental disabilities.

This expansion means that more community-based recreation programs, including adapted options, will be available to people with developmental disabilities of all ages throughout Cuyahoga County.

To help connect individuals with developmental disabilities with these and other inclusive places in the community, Cuyahoga DD created and maintains a Shared Virtual Community. To help businesses in the region ensure they are providing opportunities for meaningful inclusion, Cuyahoga DD created ALL Means ALL. The initiative provides guidance on actions businesses should take to be more inclusive — and upon successful evidence of meeting these guidelines, Cuyahoga DD will provide businesses with an ALL Means ALL window/door decal (as well as an electronic copy) to highlight their commitment to greater inclusion to the community.

To learn more about promoting an inclusive community and the recreation activities available, visit cuyahogabdd.org