Waterville proclaims March 2025 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

The Waterville City Council on March 10, 2025, read and adopted a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and received a presentation from the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The proclamation and presentation emphasized moving beyond awareness to community acceptance and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. "We believe all people, regardless of ability, should be included fully in their community, viewed as contributing members of society," said Michelle Meyerholtz of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Meyerholtz described the Lucas County board's role: serving individuals from birth through end of life, using local levy tax dollars to leverage federal Medicaid funds, operating programs including Special Olympics, and connecting residents to community resources. She and council members discussed partnerships with local providers such as the Ability Center Greater Toledo, which offers independent-living programming and support services but does not provide case management or funding, she said.

Council members noted local efforts to increase access and inclusion. Council representatives described an active committee working to plan an inclusive playground for the community; officials said the project is in early stages and grassroots outreach is ongoing.

Mayor Timothy G. Pedro read the proclamation and affixed the city's seal. The council did not take separate formal action beyond reading and signing the proclamation.

The recognition cites state- and county-level support: the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and it asks residents to acknowledge contributions by people with developmental disabilities and their families.