Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council

09/14/2026

Disability Voting Rights Week 2026

Join the REV UP Voting Campaign and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) for Disability Voting Rights Week, September 14–18, 2026.

This year’s theme is “Be an Accessible Democracy Defender.” The week is a nonpartisan opportunity to highlight accessible voting, share voting resources, celebrate the disability community, and promote full participation in our democracy.

Ohio Voting Resources:
🔹Disability Rights Ohio – Voting - https://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/vote
🔹Ohio Secretary of State - VoteOhio.gov - https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections
🔹Ohio Secretary of State - Voting in Ohio is Accessible - https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters-with-disabilities
🔹The League of Women Voters of Ohio - https://www.lwvohio.org/

Voting is one of the most important rights in any democracy, but disabled people, especially incarcerated disabled people, continue to face unique challenges when it comes to voting in America. Our mission at DRO is to eliminate those challenges through legal and legislative advocacy while answering...

09/14/2026

Looking for films that celebrate disability, inclusion, and authentic representation?

ReelAbilities Stream offers accessible films and Reel Talks available to watch on demand. Explore stories featuring disability perspectives, identity, employment, Deaf culture, and more.

🍿 Discover something new: https://reelabilities.org/stream

ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York

09/12/2026

The Independent Living Center of North Central Ohio (ILCNCO) works to empower people with disabilities to live independently, make their own choices, and be active members of their communities.

Through advocacy, independent living skills, peer support, information and referrals, and community resources, ILCNCO helps individuals build greater independence and achieve their goals.

ILCNCO serves individuals across seven counties in Ohio: Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, and Richland.

Phone: (419) 526-6770
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Appointments are preferred).

09/11/2026

🐾 September is National Guide Dog Month! 🦮💙

This month, we celebrate the incredible partnerships between guide dogs and the people they assist who are blind or visually impaired.

Guide dogs are highly trained professionals who help their handlers navigate safely, avoid obstacles, and experience greater independence in everyday life. Behind every working guide dog is a tremendous amount of dedication from trainers, volunteers, families, and communities.

Their training can take years, and the cost of raising and training a guide dog can exceed $40,000—a reminder of just how much commitment goes into preparing these amazing animals for their life-changing work.

This September, let's honor the guide dogs, their handlers, trainers, and everyone who helps make greater accessibility and independence possible. 🐕‍🦺❤️

Please remember: When you see a guide dog working, give them space and avoid petting, calling to, or distracting them. Their focus helps keep their handler safe.

09/11/2026

Fall is almost here! 🍂

There are plenty of ways to get involved this September at The Ability Center.

View upcoming events this month and register at AbilityCenter.org/events

09/11/2026

Support for Ohio Families

Awakening Angels is pledging $1.25 million to support 250 Ohio families raising children with Down syndrome. Each selected family will receive a $5,000 flexible grant to help with medical care, therapies, adaptive equipment, transportation, education, and child care.

Learn more: https://www.cleveland13news.com/story/awakening-angels-pledges-1-25-million-to-support-ohio-families-raising-children-with-down-syndrome

A Cleveland-rooted nonprofit is launching a major new support push for Ohio families facing a Down syndrome diagnosis. Awakening Angels plans to distribute $1.25 million through its Life Grant Program, offering $5,000 to each of 250 families to help cover urgent needs during a life-changing transiti...

09/09/2026

Join the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for “Planning Accessible Events: Building Accessibility into Every Stage.” This free webinar will explore practical ways to make events more accessible—from planning and communications to accommodations and on-site support.

📅 September 30, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
💻 Virtual
💲 Free

Whether you plan meetings, trainings, conferences, or community events, this session offers tools and strategies for making accessibility an intentional part of event planning.

🔗 Learn more and register - https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/uavveq4

09/08/2026

Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

Join the Pacific ADA Center for its Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Personal Emergency Preparedness.

Learn practical strategies to help you prepare for emergencies, plan ahead, and stay safe—especially important for people with disabilities and their support networks.

📚 Learn more and register: https://www.adapacific.org/event/lunch-and-learn-webinar-series-personal-emergency-preparedness/

10/15/2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Presenters Pat Swartz, Lead Technical Assistance Specialist Savannah Bradley, Community Outreach and Programs Manager Description Join the Pacific ADA Center for our third 2026 Lunch and Learn Webinar of the year! Find out how to stay safe in an emergency. This webi...

09/07/2026

World Duchenne Awareness Day – September 7, 2026

This year’s theme is “Access Changes Lives.”

For people living with Duchenne and their families, access means more than healthcare. It means access to accurate information, timely diagnosis, specialized care, treatments, assistive technology, education, employment, recreation, transportation, and meaningful participation in the community.

🌎 Everyone living with Duchenne deserves the opportunity to access the support, care, and opportunities they need to live a full and meaningful life.
Today, we raise awareness, celebrate progress, and call for greater access and inclusion for the Duchenne community.

Access changes lives. 💙

What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy in children? via Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23538-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-dmd

DMD is a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle loss in kids, mainly boys. Learn about this condition here.

09/06/2026

What is a SILC?

SILC stands for Statewide Independent Living Council.

A SILC is a state-level organization that helps promote independent living and advocate for the rights and choices of people with disabilities.

What does a SILC do?
🏠 Promotes independent living
🗣️ Advocates for the rights and needs of people with disabilities
🤝 Works with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and state agencies
📋 Helps develop the state's State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
🔘Promotes accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunity
💪 Encourages people with disabilities to have choice, control, and self-determination

In simple terms:
A SILC helps make sure people with disabilities have a voice in decisions and policies that affect their ability to live independently in their communities.

Who We Are The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council is an organization that plans and speaks up for people with disabilities. The Ohio SILC wants to help people with disabilities take charge of their lives, get support from others, help themselves, make their own choices, have the same opportun...