Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP), a nonprofit agency, is celebrating 30 years of serving people with disabilities in Northeast Ohio.

LEAP’s mission is to advance a society of equal opportunity for all persons, regardless of disability. We accomplish this mission by:

• Providing information, education, training, employment, and independent-living services to people with disabilities

• Helping people with disabilities identify and eliminate barriers to employment and independent living in the areas of income support, access to health care, transportation, housing, personal care, and assistive technology

• Promoting fully accessible and integrated communities so that all persons with disabilities can live, work, learn, shop, and socialize where they choose, without barriers and

• Advocating on the local, state, and national levels for social change and public policies that promote improvements in quality of life for people with disabilities.

LEAP annually serves about 1,700 individuals with disabilities. The independent living philosophy—supporting people with disabilities in their choices while respecting their individuality and promoting their dignity—informs all of LEAPrsquos services. These range from a national-award-winning program in Clevelandrsquos high schools that prepares students for the challenges of adulthood to education and training programs in LEAPrsquos Assistive Technology Center for people who wish to use computer technology to enhance their work and personal lives. LEAP is accredited by CARF, the major international accrediting agency for health and human service providers.The majority of LEAP’s board and staff members are people with disabilities.