Listings
Achievement Centers for Children
Achievement Centers for Children has served the community since 1940 with a mission of empowering children and adults with disabilities to achieve their greatest potential through holistic and family-focused services. They are home to Camp Cheerful, Ohio’s first recreational camp for those with disabilities, which today provides year-round camp programs. Their services also encompass an Autism School and other educational programs, Adult Services, Family Support, Therapy, and Recreation (including Adapted Sports and Therapeutic Horsemanship). To learn more, call 216-292-9700 or visit achievementcenters.org.
Autism Society of Greater Akron
The Autism Society of Greater Akron creates connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully within Medina, Portage, Summit, Stark, and Wayne counties, with their free HelpLine, adapted community events, support groups, social clubs for all ages, education, community training and advocacy. Learn more at autismakron.org or contact ASGA at info@autismakron.org or call 330-940-1441
Beck Center for the Arts
Each participant in Beck Center’s Creative Arts Therapies program receives attention that is individualized, with personally-designed goals tailored to meet their needs. Staffed by board certified arts therapists and professional adapted instructors, Beck Center’s program is the first of its kind in the state of Ohio. 216-424-7634, beckcenter.org/education/creative-arts-therapies
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
For more than 100 years, CHSC has provided speech-language, hearing, language interpreting and deaf services. It advocates for equal access to information and communication and values all individuals’ language choices equally. Its vision is a community where every person can communicate effectively. chsc.org
Community Fund Management Foundation
Community Fund Management Foundation (dba Community Fund Ohio) is a nonprofit that serves Ohio residents with disabilities. It was founded in 1993 and is one of the oldest and largest pooled trusts in the country. Community Fund serves as the nonprofit trust advisor for more than 4,000 Ohio residents with disabilities who are beneficiaries of a Pooled Medicaid Payback Trust or third-party Master Trust. Community Fund has partnerships with Jewish Federation of Cleveland, The Arc of Ohio, Hattie Larlham, and ADD. Community Fund also makes grants for the benefit of Ohio residents with disabilities and Ohio nonprofits that serve individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it provides educational presentations to parent groups and professional organizations. Its trust documents and grant applications can be found on its website: communityfundohio.org.
Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Metroparks spans 25,000 acres across Northeast Ohio including 18 reservations, nine golf courses, dining and retail venues, and nationally acclaimed Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Park District offers thousands of education and recreation programs and events each year, helping to create connections to nature and promote conservation and sustainability. Learn more at clevelandmetroparks.com.
Connecting for Kids
Connecting for Kids provides resources, support and community to families in Northeast Ohio who have concerns about their child. It supports families who have children with mental health concerns, developmental delays and disabilities, as well as those facing major life changes. It offers programs, Resource Fairs and a Family Resource Specialist (FRS) Program. Programs include support groups for adults, presentations by professionals, and hands-on programs that caregivers attend with their child. The FRS program offers a CFK staff member who meets with families and assists them in navigating resources. All programs are offered free to families. connectingforkids.org
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities proudly supports and empowers people with developmental disabilities of all ages to live, learn, work and play in the community. For more information on services and resources, call 216-241-8230 or visit cuyahogabdd.org.
The Down Syndrome Association
of Northeast Ohio
DSANEO provides support, education and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and communities. DSANEO is the primary resource for families and communities regarding Down syndrome, where all people with Down syndrome are accepted, included and empowered. DSANEO supports individuals with Down syndrome through their lifetime with family support programs, education enrichment for toddlers to teens, life skills classes, social programs, medical outreach and advocacy. DSANEO supports more than 1,100 individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout 16 Northeast Ohio counties. 216-447-8763, dsaneo.org
Eisner Gohn Group
Eisner Gohn Group is a leading resource for life insurance, long term care insurance and long term disability insurance. Its team creates a comprehensive insurance plan for families and businesses. eisnergohngroup.com
Fine Arts Association
Guided by its values of equity, integrity, growth and community, The Fine Arts Association (FAA) seeks to create and discover beauty to foster a community empowered by the arts. FAA offers arts education programming in dance, music, theatre, visual arts and creative arts therapies for all ages and ability levels. In addition to arts education, The FAA Performance Department creates opportunities for members of the community to be involved in every aspect of the theatrical experience. From family musicals to performances by professional musicians, the dynamic performance season has something for everyone. 440-951-7500, fineartsassociation.org
Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry
Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry offers evidence-based, airway-focused dentistry for children from infancy to age 21. Their board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Rachel Rosen and Dr. Christi Walsh, specialize in the connection between oral motor function and your child’s airway health, jaw growth, and dental development. Through minimally invasive dentistry, they provide drill-free cavity treatments, such as laser dentistry, SDF, SMART fillings, and Hall crowns. In-office sedation dentistry is also available. Their passionate team partners with caregivers to make dental visits educational and fun for all children. They are accepting new patients 12 years and younger. Call 330-425-1885 or visit gbpdsmiles.com
I am Boundless
For more than 40 years, I Am Boundless, a statewide nonprofit, has provided people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges the freedom and opportunity to live boundless lives. It serves all ages and abilities in autism services, primary care and dental appointments, job training, counseling, and residential support. It proudly provides person-centered care that celebrates each individual and encourages them to become active participants in the communities where they live, work and play. To learn more about how Boundless can help you or your loved ones, visitgbpdsmiles.com .
Insight Academy
Insight is a multi-service organization aimed at creating socially significant change. Taking a unique behavior analytic approach to therapy, its evidence-based techniques and data-driven methodology target the individual and support their behavioral, emotional, social and academic development. Insight’s collaborative approach offers home, in-school, and center-based programming as well as an early intervention program for autism and a psychiatric clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Its tailored programs are administered by a dedicated and experienced team of licensed professionals and support staff who care about sustainable outcomes and making an impact in peoples’ lives, both locally and globally. insightohio.com
Julie Billiart Schools
With campuses in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst, and Westlake, this network of K-8 private, Catholic schools educates and empowers children with learning and social differences. Students with mild to moderate autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety and other learning differences thrive with JB’s small class sizes, onsite therapies, and direct intervention. Visit the website to apply, register for an open house, or learn more about its curriculum. juliebilliartschools.org
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder Fitness is a Christian organization dedicated to serving the special needs community through fitness, fellowship and healthy lifestyle education. The organization offers a variety of in-person fitness and basic boxing classes in Northeast Ohio, as well as Zoom exercise classes. Jacob’s Ladder Fitness encourages everyone, especially those with diverse disabilities, to become active and fit. The team at Jacob’s Ladder Fitness includes passionate volunteers and certified fitness trainers, some of whom are from the disability community. These individuals exemplify the power of fitness and the spirit of service. To learn more, email jacobsladderfitness@gmail.com or text Tony at 440- 225-2365.
Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood
The mission of the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to engage in activities that enrich their lives and contribute to their community. In the ever-changing landscape of federal and state regulations, the LCBDD’s overriding vision remains constant: to offer Lake County citizens the highest-quality, most-inclusive, collaborative, and person-centered services and supports available within resources. Working closely with other agencies and community partners, the LCBDD helps individuals and their families identify and receive services needed for a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. Learn more at lakebdd.org or follow @DeepwoodLakeDD on social media.
Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is the community resource responsible for connecting, coordinating and funding services for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. It helps with everything from early intervention and education opportunities for children to employment and inclusive living for adults so they can live, learn, work and socialize in the community. mcbdd.org
Milestones Autism Resources
Milestones Autism Resources improves the lives of autistic individuals, families, caregivers and professionals by educating, coaching and connecting them to resources. Providing an annual autism conference, a free helpdesk, community training, and a website with more than 1,500 resources, Milestones is here to support individuals at every age, stage and ability. Visit milestones.org or visit the Milestones free autism Helpdesk at milestones.org/helpdesk. To connect with a Spanish speaker, call 216-464-7600 ext. 5.
Miller’s
Miller’s offers custom wheelchair, respiratory, and home accessibility solutions throughout NE and Central Ohio with offices in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown, and Columbus. Their core purpose is that Miller’s provides personalized solutions to improve the quality of life for every client they serve. They are proud to celebrate their 75th Anniversary in 2024 having served Ohio since 1949. Their difference is the expertise and compassion of their staff. They all stand ready to assist you with product selection, custom solutions, and funding knowledge expertise. Miller’s provides both power and manual wheelchairs, CPAPs, seat lift chairs, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, and other home accessibility equipment. Services unique to Miller’s include a repair shop and on-road service from every one of our locations. Learn more at millers.com.
Step Forward
As the state’s designated anti-poverty agency for Cuyahoga County, Step Forward is tasked and trusted to lead the fight on the ground against poverty in our community. Step Forward helps low-income individuals and families address immediate needs and build long-term skills to transform their lives through early childhood education such as Early Head Start and Head Start, Personal Development like counseling and workshops, Professional Development including adult skills training and employment connection, and other services such as emergency assistance and the Home Energy Assistance Program. For more information and to apply for assistance, visit stepforwardtoday.org.
Stride Mobility
Stride Mobility is dedicated to enhancing mobility for those who seek to maintain an active lifestyle. Its personalized Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) is a game-changer, providing tailored solutions that promise comfort, stability and mobility for individuals of all ages. From the energetic toddler exploring the world on wheels to the spirited senior cherishing their independence, the company’s range of complex rehab wheelchairs, scooters and adaptive seating systems ensures that everyone can experience life’s journey to the fullest. Get connected with one of their certified therapists who provide not just equipment, but on-site fittings and service, education, and unwavering support. stridemobility.net
Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD)
Summit DD is the community resource that connects more than 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities to the support they need to reach their goals. The levy-funded agency provides, coordinates and funds essential services that people with disabilities rely on each day. Whether it is early intervention services for infants, in-home care, or employment supports for teens and adults, Summit DD provides a lifetime of support for those eligible for services in Summit County. Find out how Summit DD helps position people for success at summitdd.org or by calling 330-634-8000.
Thrive Through Tennis
At Thrive, their mission is to utilize tennis as a therapeutic model. Their goal is for all participants to benefit physically, mentally, and socially from the sport of tennis. For adults and youths with different abilities, they offer both adaptive and wheelchair tennis programs. Homeschooled students learn and develop tennis skills through the Homeschool Tennis Academy.
Their Parkinson’s program has an exercise session specifically designed to help rigidity, bradykinesia, coordination, and balance, followed by tennis instruction and play. The programs run at Center Court Tennis Club, 1 Eagle Valley Court, Broadview Heights, OH 44147. Please call 440-878-5600 or visit thrivetennis.org.
UCP of Greater Cleveland
UCP of Greater Cleveland is a nonprofit services agency that empowers children and adults with a wide range of disabilities to advance their independence, productivity, and inclusion in the community throughout Northeast Ohio. Services include pediatric therapy, educational services, case management, adult group homes, adult day services, vocational habilitation, and employment and transition services. Programs focus on individual needs and goals while taking a holistic approach that considers family and community support, public awareness, individual advocacy, and overall personal growth. Learn more at ucpcleveland.org or call 216-791-8363.
