Programs

Our programs are designed to help individuals with disabilities gain their independence
and engage with their communities.

The Ability Center is a non-profit Center for Independent Living (CIL) serving northwest Ohio. As a CIL, we provide six core services that include advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills, peer support and mentoring, transition, and diversion to support those in our community to thrive independently.

51% of staff and Board of Directors must be individuals living with disabilities.

  • Advocacy: Advocacy Program helps create systematic change at the local, state, and federal level to protect disability rights.
  • Diversion: This core service assists individuals to avoid institutional placement and promote community-based living.
  • Independent Living Skills: Our programming aims to increase skills which can help our consumers gain more control of their lives and live independently in the community.
  • Informationand Referral: Information and Referral Program provides information on disability-related issues and community resources that assist individuals to live independently.
  • Peer Support and Mentoring: The Ability Center believes in the importance of peer support and the strength it provides members of the disability community. Peer mentors provide shared experiences, feelings, and awareness of disability issues.
  • Transition: Transition programming provides support to people with disabilities to move out of nursing homes or institutions, preventing people with disabilities from entering institutions; and assisting youth transitioning from high school to adult life. Transition steps may include preparation for college or post-secondary training or obtaining competitive employment.

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 very specific eligibility guidelines. Therefore, your eligibility is often dependent upon meeting the guidelines set forth by our funders. Where you reside, your disability, income, age, living arrangement, etc., are all demographics used by funders to establish eligibility.

Our Promise:

Please know, regardless of your eligibility, The Ability Center is here to provide valuable information and referral services. We care about your needs and we promise to work hard to help in any way we can.

Advocacy

Learn about our advocacy work and gain access to online resources related to disability advocacy issues.

Assistance Dogs

This program provides the training and placement of service and therapy dogs to assist individuals with disabilities.

Assistive Technology/Medical Equipment

Our equipment loaning services provide individuals with temporary disability-related equipment, for free.

Home Choice

The program helps individuals transition from long-term stays at nursing homes back to daily life at home.

Home Accessibility

This program offers assistance to those who wish to modify their houses, making them more accessible.

Information and Referral

Information and Referral is an essential part of The Ability Center programming. What we do as an agency involves sharing information and answering questions to help people find the information they are searching for.

Youth and Transition Services

Independent living and employment skills
for youth and young adults with disabilities

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