New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.The Ability Center, an Ohio Center for Independent Living, has recently expanded their ramp building program into ten Northwest Ohio counties including Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Pauling, Sandusky, Wood and Williams. The program provides cost-free labor and materials for the building of ramps on the homes of people with disabilities. Eligible applicants must meet disability, income and age requirements. For more information, call (866) 885-5733.
Toledo MetroParks recently completed installation of a new accessible fishing pier along the shores of the Maumee River in Farnsworth MetroPark in Waterville, Ohio. In addition to the new accessible pier, the park also features a ramp to the parking lot to the river, accessible restrooms and drinking fountains and an accessible picnic area. To learn more, or to obtain directions to the park, contact Farnsworth MetroPark at (419) 878-7641.
Ohio's services for people with disabilities have been sustained largely because of the one cent increase in sales tax. Originally set to expire on July 1, 2005, lawmakers are proposing to repeal the temporary tax increase. Doing so, according to AARP Ohio, would result in $813 million having to be cut from the current state budget. This budget cut would inevitably filter down to state-funded programs and services on which you and your loved ones rely. In an effort to educate Ohio residents on the effects of this repeal, the ARC of Ohio, a leading state disability advocacy agency, will be holding informational meetings throughout August at several locations:
Cleveland - August 12, 6 – 8 PM
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Brecksville Branch
9089 Brecksville Road
Brecksville, Ohio 44141-2313
(440) 526-1102 (for directions only)
Cambridge – August 19, 6 – 8 PM
Cambridge Developmental Center
Dietary Building
66737 Old Twenty One Road
Cambridge, OH 43725
(740) 432-3072 (for directions only)
Cincinnati - August 23, 6 – 8 PM
Drake Center
151 W. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Registration is not required, but it is helpful in scheduling rooms. If you plan to attend, please let the ARC of Ohio know by contacting them at (800) 875-2723.
Ability Center, the Independent Living Center serving Northwest Ohio, has recently revamped their Accessible Home Modification / Ramp Program in an effort to serve more consumers. Thanks to the recent addition of an in-house carpenter, the Center expects that they can increase the number of ramps installed by almost 50%. If you have a limited income and are in need of a ramp, please call the Center at (866) 885-5733 to request an application.
In January 2004, The Ability Center, in partnership with local PGA and LPGA professionals, launched Project GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks). After specialized training, the instructors taught participants with a variety of disabilities stance, putting, wedge, mid-iron and full swing techniques. Participants also had an opportunity to try out a variety of adaptive golf equipment, including adaptive clubs and accessories and single-rider carts. To learn how you can become involved, call (419) 885-5733.
The Ability Center and the "I Live" Art Recreation Program are looking for 15-20 artists with disabilities interested in selling their original pieces of art/crafts (paintings, sculpture, jewelry, etc.) at the Erie Street Market in downtown Toledo. The proposed venture requires each artist to volunteer several hours per week. Artists must be present while their work is on display at the booth. Artists and their work will rotate every four months. If you are interested, contact Jill Caruso at The Ability Center at (419) 885-5733.
The Arc of Ohio works to make life better for citizens with disabilities. Now, you can tell The Arc how life could be better for you or people you know who have disabilities. Here is your chance to speak out! Let The Arc know what would make your life better (or the lives of people you know). Please answer the following questions and e-mail your response to arcohio@rrohio.com.
You can also call The Arc of Ohio toll-free at (800) 875-2723 to talk about your concerns.
Ability Center of Greater Toledo will be awarding $10,000 in scholarships for the 2004-05 academic year to college students with disabilities. The scholarships will be awarded in May 2004. To qualify, an applicant must be a permanent resident of Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Defiance, Williams or Ottawa counties in Ohio. For more information or to request an application packet, contact Lisa Nelms of the Ability Center at (419) 885-5733.
Many people with disabilities want to work, but they face various barriers: disability discrimination, inaccessible work places, insufficient adaptive technologies, inflexible job duties, unavailable services to prepare for work, and if hired, loss of essential benefits and medical insurance that can not be replaced by working incomes. OLRS' Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program can assist people with disabilities to overcome these barriers and to return to work. OLRS' PABSS program is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as one part of SSA's Ticket to Work program. For more information, see this article Introducing PABSS.
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