About Us
We’ve adapted our programming to meet current needs since our
inception in 1920. Programming is aimed at creating greater
independence and stronger connection to the community.
AT LEAST 51% OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND TRUSTEES
ARE INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.
Our Mission
The Ability Center advocates, educates, partners, and provides services supporting people with disabilities to thrive within their community.
Our Vision
Together, we will work to make our community the most disability friendly in the nation.
Service Area
Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Defiance, and Williams
Our History
1920 - 1960
A Rotary Dream
For 100 years, The Ability Center’s mission has been to support people with disabilities. Programs have adapted to remove current barriers to independent living for people with disabilities in northwest Ohio.
1920
The Toledo Society for Crippled Children is established by The Rotary Club to raise funds to build a hospital and rehabilitation facility for children with polio.
1931
A portion of a bequest from the Edward Drummond Libbey estate is used to modify the “Old Ladies Home” on Central and Collingwood to create the first hospital and convalescent home for children with disabilities. It serves as a temporary space as the Society raises funds for a permanent facility.
1937
The Opportunity Home opens thanks to a gift from the Edward Drummond Libbey estate and strong community support. The hospital is located in what is now Lake Erie Academy on Central Avenue.
1937 - 1960
We serve the area as a hospital, which includes a school for children recovering from polio, until the arrival of the Salk vaccine in the mid-1950s.
1960 - 1990
Transforming with the Times
From 1960-1990, dedicated disability rights activists were successful in establishing federal laws to ensure that people with disabilities had the right to an education and to community inclusion.
1960s
A dedicated shift to education transforms the facility into Opportunity Kindergarten, a school for children with disabilities. The school is housed in the Libbey House in the Old West End.
1975
Public school policy legislation welcomes students of all abilities into mainstream schools. The Ability Center evolves again and begins serving adults with disabilities as well as children. The name changes to Toledo Society for the Handicapped.
1989
The movement to create a nationwide network of independent living centers migrates to northwest Ohio. The Board of Trustees changes our mission to become a Center for Independent Living, one of over 500 across the country.
1990
After decades of campaigning, the Americans with Disabilities Act is passed. The Toledo Society for the Handicapped becomes The Ability Center of Greater Toledo.
1990 - 2019
Independent Living Movement
With the advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act and a national network of Centers for Independent Living, the focus of The Ability Center moves towards providing core services of advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills training, peer supportand mentoring, and transition.
1990 - 2019
The Ability Center serves seven counties via its main office in Sylvania, OH, and a satellite office in Bryan, OH. Programming aims to create greater independence and stronger connection to the community.
Support and information are provided to community organizations and businesses to offer inclusive programs and services to all citizens.
2020
The Next Century of Service
Through the Disability Dialog campaign we pose the question, “What would it take to make our community the most disability friendly in the country?”
Thoughtful discussions are organized by different community groups in response to our inquiry.
2020
Innovative initiatives are unveiled to highlight our rich history of service, evolution as an agency, and role in creating the most disability-friendly community in the country.
Our Values
We believe in consumer control and community inclusion
We believe in advocacy
We believe in delivering best practice programs
We believe in establishing high expectations for success among people with disabilities
We believe in the power of partnerships and positive public relations