Tuscarawas County Lending Library is open for business

In 2023 Rainbow Connection approved the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center for $36,000 in aid to create a space and to purchase additional medical equipment frequently used by Tuscarawas County schools’ physical and occupational therapists. After more than a year of preparation and coordination between the agencies, the Tuscarawas County Lending Library for Related Service Providers is open for business.

Having identified a county-wide need for this resource, ECOESC’s Allison Hoffman and Julie Adelman partnered with TuscBDD’s Kathryn Ganz and Farrah Raines to create a single location that will allow Tuscarawas County students and staff to try items prior to purchasing, provide materials needed for short-term use and allow access to materials for training.

The library is housed at the Tuscarawas Board of Developmental Disabilities and opened to providers on Oct. 1. Through an online form, providers will register with the library to search the available equipment, which includes more than 500 items related to service assessments, assistive technology, sensory needs and physical therapy equipment.

They can then reserve and check out up to five items at a time for a 30-day loan period. After the loan period, the item can be renewed, or if the provider feels like the device will best serve the student on a permanent basis, the school or family can then purchase the device.

Beyond providing the space for the library, TuscBDD also is assisting with the sanitation of the items. While most items will be sanitized by the borrower prior to their return to the library, TuscBDD Superintendent Nate Kamban said students in Starlight School’s Activities for Daily Living program will provide laundry services as needed. Additionally, Rainbow Connection Executive Director Perci Garner said the agency’s board of directors will regularly review requests for additions to the library.

One item currently available is The Rig, an off-road electric device that is built specifically for people with mobility impairments. Constructed with an aluminum frame and 4-inch off-road bike tires, The Rig can travel 10-20 miles on a single battery and is able to transport the individual’s wheelchair on the back. Families of children who are interested in applying for this device can call Rainbow Connection at 330-343-8686. The child must live in Tuscarawas County and be 54-72 inches tall and weigh no more than 225 pounds.

Humble Vending Inc., owned by Kyle Hall, donated the electric mobility device to Rainbow Connection during the 2024 Telethon fundraiser to be used by a Tuscarawas County child who wants to enjoy the outdoors but has limited mobility. The funds were raised for this cause through a break room vending machine at ProVia’s Strasburg facility.

During the Oct. 10 meeting of its board of directors, the Rainbow Connection awarded $52,463.43 in assistance to Tuscarawas County residents, nonprofits and schools. Rainbow Connection has awarded more than $304,000 of the over $328,000 raised at its March 2024 Telethon.

If you or someone you know needs support with health-related expenses, call 330-343-8686 or visit www.tuscrainbow.org. Donations for the 2025 Telethon celebrating 75 years of The Rainbow Connection can be made at www.tuscrainbow.org or 119 Third St. NW in New Philadelphia.