Ability Center Program Brochure

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

Information and Referral is a service offering consultation on disability-related topics. Through our referral network, we can connect you to other agencies to ensure your need is addressed.

TOPICS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Accessibility Community Resources Housing Long-Term Benefits Service Dogs Support Services Transportation

COMMUNITY LIVING

The Community Living Program connects individuals with disabilities to resources necessary to secure community-based living. Our staff specializes in identifying needs of people with disabilities to make it possible to live in a home of their choosing. We continually develop community partnerships that work towards creating opportunities for people to thrive in an inclusive community.

LIFE SKILLS

WAYS TO ENGAGE

The Ability Center’s Life Skills Program assists young adults with disabilities to develop skills for independent living and competitive employment. Our program achieves this by providing interactive classes and programming for individuals ages 13-26 seeking post-secondary education or competitive employment. This program also offers peer support, recreational activities, and parent education. Youth transition classes include: Soft Skills and Employability

Communication Enthusiasm and Attitude Networking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Professionalism Team Work Self-Advocacy

Independent Living

Cooking/Nutrition Emotional and Physical Health Financial Management Future Care Planning/Benefits Counseling Personal Safety Sex Education

Giving of your time to a local organization is a great way to build community. Opportunities include assisting our team assemble a ramp at the home of a person with a disability, attending or volunteering at one of our many fundraisers throughout the year, or fostering an assistance dog in training.

VOLUNTEER

Build a ramp Join our Auxiliary Volunteer with ADAI Work a special event

DONATE

Donate online Gift durable medical equipment Host a fundraiser Sponsor a puppy

Empowering people with disabilities to live, work, and socialize within a fully accessible community.

NEXT STEPS SUMMER PROGRAM - Component of Life Skills The Next Steps Summer Program is a unique independent living and employment experience preparing high school students with disabilities for the next phase of life.

The Ability Center abilitycenter.org

“I couldn’t have come home without this. There are places to go and people to see, and now I can do that, thank you! - Rex McCarty Participants must be a junior or senior in high school. Students reside on the campus of the University of Toledo and participate in program topics including college and career exploration, personal financial management, self-confidence, and tips for accessibility in the community and college settings. For the remainder of the program, participants are paired with local job sites to master employability skills through paid work opportunities.

Main Office 5605 Monroe Street Sylvania, OH 43560 419.885.5733

@The Ability Center of Greater Toledo

Bryan Satellite Office 1425 East High Street Suite 108 Bryan, OH 43506 419.633.1400

@Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence

“

Every citizen has a role in creating a community that is disability friendly. Our work begins by connecting people to opportunities.

Executive Director

Our Mission

Our Vision

To assist people with disabilities to live, work, and socialize within a fully accessible community.

We believe in and support equitable and inclusive communities for people living with disabilities.

The Ability Center is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving northwest Ohio.

We provide services that include advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills, peer support and mentoring, transition, and diversion to support people with disabilities in our community to thrive independently.

At least 51% of staff and trustees are individuals living with disabilities.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY The Ability Center serves northwest Ohioans living with disabilities through a number of programs developed to support independent living. Our programs are often funded by grants and/or philanthropic donations with specific eligibility guidelines.

”

ADVOCACY

The Ability Center’s Advocacy Program creates systematic change at local, state, and federal levels to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. Our efforts in policy analysis, community organizing, and legal representation are focused on the following topics:

Housing

Transportation

Policy Advocacy and Analysis We conduct policy analysis on issues that ensure the rights of people with disabilities to live in an inclusive community of their choosing.

Health Care Public Access

Community Organizing We engage with state and local disability communities at the grassroots level to improve public policy and influence social change. Our staff works with area coalitions to advocate for affordable, accessible housing, expand transportation options, and ensure access to health care.

ASSISTANCE DOGS FOR ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE (ADAI)

EQUIPMENT LOAN

ADAI helps children and adults with disabilities achieve greater independence by training and placing service and therapy dogs.

Service Dogs ADAI trains service dogs to support people with mobility disabilities and increase their independence.

Therapy Dogs Therapy dogs offer support and companionship to children and adults with disabilities. They meet therapeutic goals including improving speech, coordination, and social skills. Therapy dogs are placed in individual’s homes or in school districts.

Therapy Dog Support Decrease anxiety Improve student motivation Encourage academic enrichment

We also accept donations of durable medical equipment.

All items are cleaned and sanitized by our staff before lending.

Disability Rights Education & Enforcement We monitor and assist private and public partners in their efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights legislation.

Disability advocates from local groups including The Ability Center welcomed the addition of a new TARTA bus stop located at the Franklin Park Mall.

This achievement was a culmination of several years of grassroots advocacy efforts to improve accessibility for people living with disabilities.

Visit our website to obtain self-advocacy materials and resources on ADA compliance.

Types of equipment generally available include: Bath Equipment Bedside Commode Canes Electric Wheelchairs Manual Wheelchairs Patient Lifts Portable Ramps Rollators Walkers (with and without wheels)

Trained Tasks for Service Dogs Activate access buttons and switches Carry items Open doors, refrigerators, dryers, etc.

Pick up dropped items

HOME ACCESSIBILITY

This program completes home modification projects for individuals with disabilities, making independent living a reality.

Projects include: Temporary ramp (aluminum) Permanent ramp (wooden)

COUNTIES SERVED Defiance Fulton Henry Lucas Ottawa Williams Wood

Our Equipment Loan Program provides individuals with disability-related equipment on a temporary basis at no cost.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Visit our website or call our office

a program of The Ability Center

100% of donations directly support the program

Low rise steps Stair lifts Grab bars

Volunteer for a ramp build with your company or organization.

Application can be found on abilitycenter.org

To see if you meet eligibility for a home modification, call our office or visit our website to complete the application.