Local developmental disabilities boards to team up to present seminar

In collaboration with Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/ Deepwood and Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Forum for Volunteer Administrators is holding a seminar — “Engaging Volunteers of All Abilities” — March 15 at 8121 Deepwood Blvd. in Mentor from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Forum for Volunteer Administrators is dedicated to the continuous professional development and support of volunteer administrators throughout Northeast Ohio.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide training and information to area professionals who recruit and schedule volunteers in the hope it will help them understand that individuals with disabilities add value to any volunteer program.

The program is presented by Lynnmarie Landwei-Phillips, director of marketing and professional services for LCBDD/ Deepwood; and Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Good Life Ambassadors: Grace Blatt, Christian Borrero, Molly Dann, William Gallup and Sean Walker.

Landwei-Phillips believes individuals with developmental disabilities are an untapped labor force both in the employment and volunteer markets.

“This workshop will provide information to participants on the value of adding individuals with disabilities to their volunteer teams; how to interact with them; and how to connect with them,” she said.

“In line with the Developmental Disabilities Awareness theme that we are all better in a community that celebrates everyone, we are emphasizing the contributions individuals with developmental disabilities can make to any organization. We will show examples of places individuals with developmental disabilities currently volunteer and the wide variety of skills they have learned or offer to the community.”

Marie Barni, general manager of public information and communication with Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, wants the Northeast Ohio community to know individuals with disabilities wish to be involved like everyone else.

“We’re hoping this forum allows people to know that there are many individuals out there who wish to volunteer and share positive experiences,” Barni added. “They have a lot of energy and a huge sense of pride. Many volunteer independently as well as in groups, based on their interests. It offers them great chances to meet new people.

“We want the general community to be inclusive as they would with loved ones. We want people to talk and engage with people with disabilities as they would anyone else. It sounds simple, but unfortunately some people get uncomfortable with the challenges and difficulties situations like these can present at times. But if you just be yourself, you’ll not like it, you’ll love it.”

The event is open to anyone who signs up through the FVA of Ohio.