Services for Independent Living, Inc. (SIL)

07/29/2026

📢 Join Us for YAC Virtual Advocacy Day!

Celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and learn how advocacy can make a difference in our communities.

🗓 Saturday, August 1, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
💻 Virtual Event

Topics include:
✅ ADA History
✅ Accessible Voting
✅ Medicaid Updates
✅ Housing Accessibility

Whether you're an experienced advocate or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and help advance accessibility and inclusion.

📧 Register: [email protected]
📞 Questions? Contact April Shaw at (216) 389-2356 or email [email protected].

07/28/2026

Service dogs: How they help, costs, and why you shouldn't pet them (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

What do service dogs do? And how much do they cost? Spann Cordle, a...

07/28/2026

🎡🌟 Get Ready for the 2026 Ohio State Fair!

The Ohio State Fair is working to make the Fair more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Check out Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities ’s video highlighting ASL access, sensory-friendly options, mobility supports, accessible transportation, and more.

🎥 Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGEKh6VJlZs&t=1s

From ASL-interpreted shows and quiet rooms to accessible transportation and other supports, the Fair offers more opportunities for everyone to enjoy the experience.

Help us spread the word and start planning your visit!

View the full list of ASL-interpreted shows on OOD’s website:
[ASL Interpretation at the 2026 Ohio State Fair | Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities]

This video is intended for Ohioans who are Deaf or hard of hearing ...

07/26/2026

Honoring 36 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act!

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the ADA, a groundbreaking civil rights law that has helped create a more accessible and inclusive society for people with disabilities.

Since 1990, the ADA has strengthened protections against discrimination and expanded access to employment, transportation, public spaces, education, and community participation. Its legacy can be seen in countless improvements that support independence, opportunity, and equal access.

While there is still work to be done, the ADA remains a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when barriers are removed and everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in society.

Join us in celebrating the progress made over the past 36 years and the continued efforts to build communities where everyone belongs.

07/25/2026

Medicaid Waiver Presentation Available for Aging and Disability Organizations

Are you interested in learning more about Medicaid waivers? This presentation provides valuable information about waiver eligibility, the application process, and available resources.

Participants receive helpful handouts with important contact information for Medicaid and agencies that provide long-term care counseling and assistance with waiver applications.

Organizations interested in scheduling a Medicaid Waiver Presentation are invited to connect with:

📞 Nora Wall
216-731-1529
📧 [email protected]

Learn more and schedule a session today!

07/24/2026

Two Northeast Ohio families are sharing their journeys as their daughters face a rare and aggressive childhood brain cancer. Their stories highlight the strength of children and families navigating serious medical challenges while raising awareness about the importance of research, early support, and community.

By sharing their experiences, these families are helping others understand the realities of pediatric brain cancer and the hope that comes from standing together.

Read their inspiring story via WKYC Channel 3 - Cleveland :

Izzy Cashion and Ryleigh Schechter were both diagnosed with DIPG, a rare and inoperable brain tumor. Their mothers have since bonded over their shared experiences.

07/23/2026

Did You Know? 🤝

Information & Referral (I&R) is one of the five core services provided by Centers for Independent Living (CILs).

Whether you're a person with a disability, a family member, or a caregiver, Services for Independent Living (SIL) can help connect you with the resources you need to live independently in your community.

Our Information & Referral services can help you find:

🏠 Accessible housing and housing resources
💼 Employment, education, and vocational services
🩺 Healthcare, Medicaid waivers, and SSI/SSDI benefits
🚌 Transportation and mobility supports
🦽 Assistive technology and home modification resources
⚖️ Disability rights, advocacy, and legal information
🤝 Community programs, peer support, and other local services

If you're not sure where to start, start with us.

📞 Contact Services for Independent Living (SIL) to learn more about our Information & Referral services and get connected to the resources that can help you live independently. 216-731-1529

07/22/2026

Planning for the future starts with the right information.

Join Community Fund Ohio for the Special Needs Survival Guide for Families on Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Attend in person at the Independence Library or online.

This free educational session will walk families through an interactive case study covering financial, legal, and practical considerations for raising a child with ongoing support needs. Registration is required.

Learn more and register:

Join Community Fund Ohio in-person at the Independence Library (6363 Selig Drive), or online, for a "Special Needs Survival Guide for Families" education session. Through an interactive case study, Michael Brewer, Financial Advisor of Lakefront Capital, Melanie Dresch, Esq., of Dresch Law LLC, and J...

07/21/2026

How ABLE Accounts Work with Supplemental Security Income (SSI)!

📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕑 2:00–3:00 PM ET

Learn how ABLE accounts can help eligible individuals with disabilities save money while protecting their SSI benefits. They'll cover the basics of ABLE accounts, recent eligibility changes that expanded access to millions more people, and practical guidance on using these accounts effectively.

This webinar is hosted by Justice In Aging in collaboration with ABLE National Resource Center and is ideal for SSI recipients, family members, caregivers, advocates, and professionals who support people with disabilities.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts are a tax-advantaged savings option that allows individuals whose disability began before age 46 to save up to $100,000 without affecting their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility. The recent expansion to include individuals whose disabil...