Visitors Enjoyed WCBDD Things That Go! Event and The First Assistive Technology Showcase

LEBANON, OH --  From climbing into a tractor, meeting search and rescue dogs, and trying out assistive technology, Warren County residents got the opportunity to try a variety of activities at the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities (WCBDD) Things That Go! touch-a-truck and assistive technology event on August 17, 2024.

The event featured over 20 vehicles, including fire trucks, police vehicles, school buses, a tow truck, an ice cream truck, and more.

Each vehicle operator highlighted their unique business or organization based on what they had to offer, such as:

• Lil’ Bloom Flower Truck encouraging visitors to pick a flower, 
• Turtlecreek Township Fire Department helping children try on a firefighter uniform, 
• Special Neat Treats handing out free ice cream, and 
• Bin Boss demonstrating how they clean and sanitize trash cans.

Jes Thomas said Things That Go! was her families’ first WCBDD event since her daughter started early intervention services. She said the highlight of the event was the SRM Concrete staff members who brought a concrete mixer to the event.

“They spent extra time allowing our daughter to touch every button there was to push. One of the men stood right next to her to insure she was safe and having fun,” Thomas said. “The other man told her about the truck and some of the small basic functions in a way she could understand at such a young age. Before leaving the truck, they made sure she got a special treat, as well.”

Concurrently, the Assistive Technology Showcase hosted a variety of assistive technology and adaptive equipment designed to promote independence and healthy living. Easterseals Redwood and the OCALI Lending Library displayed assistive toys and technology for visitors to test. WCBDD Behavioral Support Coordinator Adam Layton created a display on communication boards, a tool to help people with limited language skills express themselves.

The highlight of the Assistive Technology Showcase was the grand opening of the SMART Technology Studio, a space resembling a modern studio apartment featuring assistive technology to help individuals live independently.

Visitors had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the technology’s functionality, the potential benefits, and its role in fostering independence. Visitors roamed the faux apartment, sparking curiosity with seemingly typical housewares that, in actuality, were modified with accessibility in mind. Children were drawn to the adaptive toys and gaming equipment.

Things That Go! will be hosted again next year.

For more information, contact Megan Becker at (859) 653-7445 or megan.becker@warrencountydd.org.

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