People First of Toledo

History

People First of Toledo meets the third Thursday of every month from 6:00-7:30 at the Holland Library in Community Room B. We are a dedicated group of self-advocates working to improve our lives and those of others with developmental disabilities.

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Who We Serve

People First, by nature, does not restrict membership. We are a self-led advocacy group created by and for people with a range of disabilities, regardless of what diagnosis you do or don’t have, or your “functioning level.” If you are interested in advocacy for the DD community, then you are welcome here.

Next Meeting

September 18

A presentation will be given on disclosing your disability, best practices, when and how to do so, and your rights when you do disclose. Join in person or on Zoom.

Contact

Quinn Thomas

Quinn Thomas became the facilitator for People First in January 2022. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to set up a meeting, they can be reached at quinnt@ccsohio.org or through the People First Facebook page.

Latest Newsletters

Sheltered workshops today are nonprofit
organizations where people with disabilities perform menial tasks for subminimum wages. They are run by community rehabilitation programs, or CRPs, which often also offer other employment services and adult day support.

Ohio's Sheltered Workshops

Independent living is a term that refers to
situations where people with disabilities live in the regular community, not institutions or group homes. Many surveys and studies have found that we prefer this. People who live independently tend to be happier and healthier, too.

Understanding Independent Living

Ed Roberts is the father of the independent living movement. He was not born with a disability. He caught polio when he was fourteen and became paralyzed. After that, he had to use an iron lung– an old style of ventilator. He completed his next few years of high school over the phone, and was able to return to in-person schooling for senior year.

Disabled Figures: Ed Roberts