We hope you find this list of Community Resources helpful to you and your family. Click the name of the resource to be taken to their website for more information.
For resources specific to the needs of our community related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, please click here.
Resources are listed in alphabetical order by the following categories. Click on the category to be taken to that section on the page. If you would like to search for a specific keyword you can click “CTRL-F” on a computer for the “Find” Function.
Advocacy
Adaptive Services
Blind and Visually Impaired Resources
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Developmental Disabilities Supports
Educational Resources
Employment Support
Financial Support
Military Resources
Social/Recreational
Support Groups
Transportation Services
Youth Services
Local Sensory Friendly & Adapted Activities
Advocacy
American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
The American Association of People with Disabilities is a convener, connector and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
Access Center for Independent Living
The Access Center for Independent Living works with individuals with significant disabilities in their goals of independence in the community. They currently provide the independent living services of Information & Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Advocacy, and Individual Transitioning.
The Arc of Ohio
The Arc of Ohio is the voice of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends of people with disabilities and those who work with them.
Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.
Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA)
OSDA is a non-profit organization who empowers people with disabilities. Our goal is to expand awareness of self-determination principles, provide valuable training resources, and promote advocacy efforts.
Adaptive Services
Adaptive Clothing Showroom
Adaptive Clothing Showroom provides clothing and accessories for men, women and children in need of regular or adaptive clothing to help ease the task of independent or aided dressing. Adaptive clothing is designed for those who are post-op, bedridden, wheelchair bound, or with limited mobility or dexterity.
Emerging Horizons
Emerging Horizons is an online magazine about accessible travel for wheelchair-users to slow walkers.
Ergoactives
Ergoactives designs and manufactures revolutionary products that reimagine and reshape the industry of personal mobility. Ergoactives aims to change the lives of those who face mobility challenges through meaningful and well-designed solutions that provide safety, comfort, and encourage activity and confidence.
Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
Fire safety systems are often simply kept to building code, without adding an extra degree of preparedness and accessibility for those wih disabilities. This guide is to provide safety measures for those living at home with a disability by offering escape plans, phone applications with alerts, etc.
Motion Mobility
Motion Mobility & Design, Inc. specializes in Mobility and Home Modifications. Our goal is to help our clients maintain their mobility while keeping them safe and functional in their home. We offer a number of products and services to help achieve this goal for our clients.
Pretrom
For over 50 years, PRC has been a leader in giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Since our founding in 1966, PRC has paved the way in the development of speech-generating devices (SGDs) and continues to innovate in the field of augmentative and alternative communication. They are also a pioneer in the field of language and vocabulary development, giving children and adults with communication challenges the ability to participate in life.
Typing Practice with Sense-Lang
Blind and Visually Impaired Resources
Bureau Services for the Visually Impaired
BSVI assists eligible people, beginning at age 14, with low vision and blindness by providing direct, personalized services to assist them in finding and retaining meaningful work and personal independence.
Prevent Blindness Ohio
Prevent Blindness Ohio works to make sure that everyone has a chance to enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision, starting in infancy and childhood. They educate families, support research, and advocate for access to care.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Interpreters for the Deaf
The region’s only Deaf-owned and operated sign language interpreting and C-Print captioning service. Interpreters of the Deaf offers programming including summer camp and interpretation services.
VocaLink
Vocalink Global sparks understanding across languages and cultures, locally and around the world. More than a language service provider, we specialize in creating comprehensive multilingual managed solutions and outstanding customer experiences for our clients. Vocalink provides translation and interpreting services.
Developmental Disabilities Supports
4 Paws for Ability
4 Paws for Ability enriches the lives of children with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs.
Access Center for Independent Living
The Access Center for Independent Living works with individuals with significant disabilities in their goals of independence in the community. They currently provide the independent living services of Information & Referral, Peer Support, Independent Living Skills Training, Advocacy, and Individual Transitioning.
Autism Society of Dayton
DAS exists to advocate for, support, and educate families living with autism. The Dayton Autism Society serves families from the greater Miami Valley and an estimated 8,000 families living with autism.
Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides, coordinates, and monitors services and supports for eligible individuals and their families that promotes a pathway to individual success.
Developmental Disabilities of Clark County
Developmental Disabilities of Clark County assists people who have developmental disabilities to live, work and participate in our community. They serve three functions: administrator, funder, and authorizer of services.
Dayton Asperger Resource Network
The group was formed to meet the needs of families whose children have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (AS) or other High Functioning forms of Autism (HFA).
Dayton Autism Networking Team
The Dayton Autism Networking Team offers an opportunity to meet other families and discuss topics geared toward meeting the unique needs of children with multi-sensory processing disorders in a variety of settings.
Department of Developmental Disabilities
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) oversees a statewide system of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. DODD does this by developing services that ensure an individual’s health and safety, encourage participation in the community, increase opportunities for meaningful employment, and provide residential services and support from early childhood through adulthood.
Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services and support for clients with differing abilities in the Greene County Community. Providing services from early childhood, through adulthood and elderly life stages, the Board is committed to assisting eligible individuals in making choices and achieving a life of increasing capabilities so that they may live, work, and play in our community.
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Dayton Region
The Epilepsy Foundation is an ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The Foundation works to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through community services; public education; federal and local advocacy; and supporting research into new treatments and therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential.
Life Course Tools
The Charting the LifeCourse Framework was created BY FAMILIES to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live. Individuals and families may focus on their current situation and stage of life but may also find it helpful to look ahead to think about life experiences that will help move them toward an inclusive, productive life in the future.
Even though it was originally created for people with disabilities, this universally-designed framework may be used by any person or family making a life plan, regardless of life circumstances.
Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Miami County’s local board of developmental disabilities mission is to empower people with developmental disabilities to live, work and play as full members of our community. The organization provides service coordination and funding for residential care, adult day services and job training to many individuals served by the program.
Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc.
The early childhood development programs provided by Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc. concentrate on literacy and school readiness for children ages zero to five.
Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association
The Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association provides information, resources and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and their communities.
Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services (MCBDDS)
The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services (MCBDDS) is the local government agency that coordinates services for children and adults in Montgomery County who have a diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability. It also offers a variety of direct services for individuals with developmental disabilities that are locally funded through the Montgomery County Human Services Levy, including Behavior Support, Early Intervention, Mental Health, Recreation and Respite, and Residential Placement Services.
National Down Syndrome Society
The National Down Syndrome Society resources include a helpline, information for new and expectant parents, local support, health care information, therapies and development, wellness, education, research, and much more.
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) is one of a national network of state councils, committed to self-determination and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. Their mission is to create change that improves independence, productivity and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities and their families in community life in Ohio.
Ohio Self Determination Association (OSDA)
OSDA is a non-profit organization who empowers people with disabilities. Our goal is to expand awareness of self-determination principles, provide valuable training resources, and promote advocacy efforts.
Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Preble County Board of DD is responsible for the coordination and management of services and programs that serve Preble County citizens with developmental disabilities. The board operates under federal, state, and local statute and rules to provide these services.
Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities
The Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides services and supports to more than 1,800 people in Warren County who have developmental disabilities. The mission of the board is supporting people with disabilities and their families to achieve what is important to them.
Educational Resources
Disability Resources for College Students: Campus and Community Support, Expert Advice, & Rights for Students with Disabilities
This guide was created to bring awareness to rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, help them learn how to take advantage of myriad services, and provide expert advice from a postsecondary education administrator who has spent years serving college students with disabilities.
Financial Aid for College Students With Disabilities
College can be expensive for anyone, but it can be especially costly for those with disabilities. Some classroom accommodations are paid for out-of-pocket, medical bills tend to be much higher, and even transportation costs can be greater than what a typical student would have to pay to get to and from class. These are just a few of the reasons why it’s so important for students with disabilities to have ample funding options available to them. This guide focuses on those options, with the goal of helping students with disabilities find the resources they need to pay for and succeed in college.
Scholarships for for Students with Disabilities
View a list of the current disability scholarships offered by various foundations and organizations for students with disabilities, as well as those specifically aimed towards students with learning disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, psychological disabilities, or mobility impairments.
Scholarships for for Students with Disabilities
As a student with a disability, you face many challenges in achieving academic success, especially in higher education. Pursuing post-secondary education can be fraught with adversity—but financial burden doesn’t have to be part of it. We have compiled an extensive list of scholarships that provide funding relief for students with all types of disabilities.
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
One of the best ways to pay for college is with a scholarship. Scholarships are offered by private companies, organizations, schools and more, and the funds do not have to be paid back. This list includes some of the best scholarship options for students with disabilities listed by type of disability.
Tartan TOPS at Sinclair Community College
The TOPS Program is an educational/career pathway for part-time students aged 18-24 who have an intellectual disability. Students who complete the pathway will receive an industry recognized Academic Career Readiness and Training credential. The general education courses taken as part of this program will assist students with developing the skills needed for academic and career success. The Tartan TOPS Program also connects students with Sinclair and community resources that will support them during their time as students and beyond.
Employment Support
Clothes That Work
Clothes That Work empowers clients to secure and maintain employment by providing interview and workplace appropriate clothing, confidence building education, and coaching services.
Ohio Means Jobs
The mission of the Workforce One Investment Area workforce development system is to provide an educated and highly qualified workforce that meets or exceeds the current and future needs of employers.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is the State of Ohio agency that partners with Ohioans with disabilities to achieve quality employment and independence. They also make determinations on Social Security disability.
United Rehabilitation Services
Our mission in Employment Services is to enhance the lives of the individuals we serve and communities in which we live through work-related training and activities. Our program offers a broad range of assessment, training and job placement services to adults and high school students to ensure our participants are equipped with the job skills, self-confidence and one-on-one supports they need to reach their personal employment goals and achieve financial independence.
Financial Support
Gorman-Hewitt-Ayars Fund of the United Rehabilitation Services Foundation
Applications are taken for funds to be used for the acquisition of appliances, support aids, augmentative communication equipment, home modification, reasonable administrative costs with assessed needs and Camperships on a needed basis.
Job and Family Services
Their mission is protecting children and the elderly, strengthening families and individuals, and providing opportunities through coordinated services for the residents of Montgomery County.
Social Security Administration
Social Security is committed to helping maintain the basic well-being and protection of the people we serve. Social Security supports their customers by delivering financial support, providing superior customer service, and ensuring the safety and security of your information.
Stable Account
A STABLE Account is an investment account available to eligible individuals with disabilities. STABLE Accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefits programs, like Medicaid or SSI. Earnings in your STABLE Account are not subject to federal income tax, so long as you spend them on “Qualified Disability Expenses.”
STABLE Accounts have some similar features to normal bank accounts, but they are not checking or savings accounts. STABLE Accounts are investment accounts, similar to 529 college savings accounts or 401(k) retirement accounts. When you deposit money into your STABLE Account, your money will be invested in different options that you choose. While you can still withdraw and spend your money whenever you need it, a STABLE Account also allows you to grow your money and to save long-term for disability expenses.
The Disability Foundation
The mission of The Disability Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities by complementing public benefits through the prudent management of financial resources.
Military Services
Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program, EFMP, offers many services for military families. They can assist by identifying and enrolling family members with special medical or educational needs, finding out what services are available in your present or new duty station and support families with information, referrals and non-clinical case management to access services.
Military Child Care Aware of America
They serve children and families by supporting the development of child care systems with highly skilled professionals who create high-quality, nurturing environments that allow children to fulfill their greatest potential. Military families rely on Child Care Aware® of America to administer a referral and subsidy fee assistance program to support their child care needs.
Social/Recreational
Bridge Riding for the Disabled
Bridge Riding for the Disabled is a program that serves many individuals with a variety of diagnosis ranging from those with cerebral palsy, autism, developmental disabilities, strokes and multiple sclerosis. The horses and volunteers work through issues with balance, tight muscles, communication skills and improving overall independence.
“I Can Do It, Too!” Adaptive Gymnastics
The Ohio Sports Academy in Springboro offers this class designed for children of all ages with minimal to moderate challenges with developmental delay, attention deficit, Autism, Sensory issues, coordination problems, fear of movement and more. The program combines sensory, gross motor and gymnastics activities which will improve strength, flexibility, balance, direction following, and confidence in the student. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for children with special needs to participate in a movement program as a recreation activity in addition to other therapies.
Miami Valley Adapted Sports
Miami Valley Adapted Sports is a Paralympic Sports Club that works through cooperative partnerships to provide recreational and competitive sporting opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. MVAS provides programs that promote physical fitness, character building and friendship. MVAS advocates for equal opportunities for disabled individuals through education, training and networking.
Miracle League
The Miracle League of Warren County & Greater Dayton work to establish and sustain baseball programs for people (of all ages) with disabilities. Their objective is to provide an opportunity for those individuals to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing baseball.
So All May Worship Gospel Outreach
The mission of SAMWGO is to “establish community partnerships, empower our churches, and enable all worshipers to express and experience the Lord’s presence” in every community who does not have direct access to places of worship. SAMWGO aims to accomplish this task by bringing together area churches as one united body to share manpower and resources necessary to staff worship services held at multiple community locations. The mission is operated by a local pastor who recruits, trains, and coordinates volunteers and worship leaders from various churches to facilitate these worship services.
Special Olympics Ohio
Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of the athletes. Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence and build a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, home, job and community.
The Riding Centre
The Riding Centre Association is a nonprofit organization that provides a foundation in safe riding and the care and management of horses through affordable lessons to children and adults of diverse capabilities from Yellow Springs, Ohio and surrounding communities.
South Dayton TOP Soccer
T.O.P. Soccer Is a national US Youth Soccer program created for children and young adults with disabilities. Any child or young adult ages 5 and up that are not able to compete effectively in their local “recreational” league for any reason, are welcome to play. South Dayton T.O.P. Soccer is an all-volunteer program with emphasis on fun and participation, not winning. Coaches are instructed to provide equal opportunity for all children, regardless of their ability. While we’re based in the Centerville/Washington Township area, children from all areas are invited to play. Last year we had over 150 children and young adults participate.
Support Groups
Guide for Family Caregivers (Disability.gov)
This website gives advice and links to resources to caregivers. Some of the links provide information on eldercare, caring for someone with a disability, respite coalitions, medication management, nursing home information, how to take care of yourself, and more.
Sibling Leadership Network
The purpose of the Sibling Leadership Network is to promote a broad network of siblings who share the experience of disability and people concerned with sibling issues by connecting them to social, emotional, governmental, and provisional supports across the lifespan enabling them to be effective advocates with their brother and sister, and to serve as change agents for themselves and their families
Spina Bifida Support Group
The Miami Valley Spina Bifida Organization exists to connect, support, and educate those affected by Spina Bifida in the greater Dayton region.
United Rehabilitation Services Caregiver Support Group
At United Rehabilitation Services (URS), we recognize the challenges caregivers face meeting the needs of their loved ones living with disabilities. The Adult Caregiver Support Group is facilitated by our staff to provide a therapeutic atmosphere with information designed to support anyone who is providing care to an adult or senior with a disability. Topics include building a support system, importance of self-care and learning about community resources and funding options.
United Rehabilitation Services Parent Support Group
The Parent Support Group is facilitated by parents and uses a program called “Raising Special Kids.” Topics include exploring intense emotional responses, experiencing the gifts your child offers, expressing feelings of loss, practicing self-care and self-appreciation, strengthening bonds with your child and family as a whole and more. The program is offered in eight sessions during the school year from September to May and includes free dinner and child care.
Transportation
Greater Dayton RTA
The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is the public transit agency that citizens count on in Montgomery County and western Greene County.
RTA Connect Paratransit
Paratransit service is provided to persons who, because of their disabilities, are unable to independently travel on the public transit system.
Mobility Works
Founded in 1997, MobilityWorks® is a national chain of wheelchair accessible van providers – serving the disabled community with wheelchair accessible minivans, full-size vans with lifts and commercial fleet vehicles.
Youth Services
Help Me Grow
Help Me Grow is a voluntary family support program for pregnant women or new parents. Offered in every county of the state through a well-established network, Help Me Grow is an evidence-based program that promotes healthy growth and development for babies and young children. Their home visitors are well-trained professionals who use a non-judgmental and compassionate approach that empowers parents with skills, tools and confidence to nurture the healthy growth of their children.
Just Like You Dolls
Just Like You Dolls is a family-owned small business that creates dolls that are “Just Like You”! They offer Cochlear Implants, Glasses, Walkers, Diabetes Devices, and many other options! The business was inspired by their daughter with hearing loss that wanted a doll that was just like her!
Preschool Promise
Preschool Promise is making quality Preschool for 4-year-olds more available and affordable to Dayton and Kettering families.
Samaritan Behavioral Health – YCATS
Young Children’s Assessment and Treatment Services (YCATS) is a program is designed for children 6 and under experiencing challenges such as: behavioral concerns, including disruptive or aggressive behaviors, attention and hyperactivity issues, trauma, developmental issues such as autism or pervasive developmental disorders, and attachment problems.
Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns.
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Sensory Friendly & Adapted Activities in our Community:
Click on the business for more information about the described program!
Chuck E. Cheese’s offers Sensory Sensitive Sundays on the first Sunday of every month. They open two hours early and have reduced lighting and noise, show and music turned off or down, limited appearances by Chuck E. and food and games are offered.
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s Sensory Sunday program offers extended hours for local families with a loved one who has a sensory disorder, such as autism. During these special hours, the Museum will adjust lighting and sound, have trained volunteers and additional staff, and offer programs that appeal to families who could benefit from a less stimulating atmosphere. Sensory Sundays are typically offered once a quarter.
Scene75 is offering a free program for those with special needs on the first Thursday of every month. The program has been developed to help improve social and motor skills, hand and eye coordination, reaction time, and recognition… all in a safe, controlled and FUN environment. Includes $10 Arcade Game Card, One Spin Zone Ride, Nine holds of Black Light Mini Golf and 30 mins in the Chaos Room! Siblings can participate too but are charged $14.99 each.
Get Air Sports in Huber Heights is now offering “Sensory Saturday” jump time on the first and third Saturday of every month from 9-11 am!
King’s Island in Mason, Ohio has some great resources for people with special needs who wish to visit their amusement park!
The Victoria Theatre Association offers some of their family-friendly productions as Sensory-Friendly shows. These productions are specifically designed for children with an autism spectrum disorder, other sensory processing diagnoses, and other special needs. You can expect a reduction of loud or jarring sounds, the absence of flashing or strobe lighting on stage, modification of house lights during the performance, and a judgement-free environment where all patrons can feel free to vocalize or move around the theatre if they need to. At no time, will anyone be asked to leave the performance due to sound, movement or behaviors related to differing cognitive/developmental abilities.
AMC Movie Theatre in West Chester is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month.
COSI Center of Science and Industry has an Accessibility and Inclusion Statement and Guide for People with Disabilities. They also have a calming room, which is available for those who may be overstimulated and need a quiet moment.
AccessAbility is a collaboration between the Washington Township Recreation Center, Centerville-Washington Park District and Washington-Centerville Public Library! AccessAbility rotates locations based on the monthly host. Activities will be adapted to give participants of all ages and abilities an enriching sensory, social and physical experience.