ACT, Toledo Fair Housing Center, and Disability Rights Ohio file joint Amicus Brief on Reasonable Accommodation issues
The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, Toledo Fair Housing Center, and Disability Rights Ohio filed a joint Amicus Brief in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case involving a woman whose request for a reasonable accommodation was ignored by the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority. The woman has a physical disability that makes it difficult for her to move up and down steps. When her two-story apartment became too difficult for her to live in, she provided a doctor’s note to LMHA asking that she be able to move her Section 8 Voucher to a one-level unit. Rather than grant her permission to move, LMHA did not respond to her request.

At trial, the jury decided against her when the judge failed to inform them that an unreasonable delay in granting a reasonable accommodation can constitute a denial of that accommodation. The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, Toledo Fair Housing Center, and DRO disagree with the Court’s failure to instruct the jury on that issue of law and have filed an Amicus Brief in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals asking the Sixth Circuit to remand the case.

Medical equipment, supplies and vehicle modifications, March 16, 2020
Comments and results of previous comments made to ensure that the changes made to the laws regarding any modifications medical equipment, supplies, and vehicles are viewed more clearly in ways to effectively and efficiently serve the interests of the consumers.

The Community Reinvestment Act, March 9, 2020
Reasons for opposition of proposed changes to CRA based on how it would severely negatively impact the disabled community, low-income households, and small businesses.

The Disparate Impact Rules of the Fair Housing Act, October 18, 2019
Letter to Secretary Carson stating that the proposed changes to the FHA would unintentionally subject people with disabilities to discrimination and how these changes would limit access to everyday activities.

ACT Provides Input to 2016 Ohio Consolidated Plan, September 30, 2015
Find ways to provide reasonable accommodation focusing on Land Use and Zoning.

Implementing a 1915i Program for Adults with Severe and Persistant Mental Illness in Ohio, June 5, 2015
Urging Medicaid Program for mentally ill people and including them in Home and Community Based Services for all income levels and push for integration and inclusion.

Letter to National Church Residences Regarding Reasonable Accommodations, May 21, 2015
Suggestions made for the update and change of the National Church Residences policy regarding accommodations.

Comments on Ohio Housing Finance Agency Qualified Allocation Plan, April 28, 2015
Addresses increasing need for affordable accessible housing in all demographic areas and need for desegregation and inclusion of those with disabilities.

Comments on the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Reasonable Accommodation Procedures, February 25, 2015
Discusses major changes that need to be done on the LMHA’s Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form to allow the process to go smoother and in a more disability-friendly manner that includes them wholesomely.

Comments on Ohio’s Draft Plan to Comply with the New Federal Home and Community Based Services Requirements, January 23, 2015
Talks about ways to ensure clarity of vocabulary used in waivers between institutions and communities and ways to encourage funding for HCBS, instead of mandating institutions the state should leave that decision up to the individual.

Comments on the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council Of Government’s Public Involvement Policy, November 7, 2014
Ways for TMACOG to educate general public of events and how they impact communities, how TMACOG should include disabled people in its target market, and how TMACOG can better serve Toledo and surrounding residents.

Letter of Support for SB202
Dear Chairman Manning, Vice Chair McColley, Ranking Member
Thomas, and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

Ability Center Olmstead Fact Sheet
Facts and statistics based on the Olmstead Decision and how it helps Ohioans with disabilities, what needs to be changed, and why inclusion is so important to society.

Ability Center Olmstead White Paper
A very thorough look at the history of disabilities in America and the historical figures that helped shape the federal implementation and fulfill the promise of Olmstead.