The Access Center

08/10/2026

Everyone deserves reliable transportation.

For many people with disabilities—especially those who can’t drive—simply leaving the house can take extra planning and effort.

When paratransit runs late, rideshares won’t accommodate mobility equipment, or accessible options aren’t available, people with disabilities can miss appointments, lose opportunities, and become more isolated.

That’s not a minor inconvenience—it’s a barrier to living fully.

It affects healthcare access, employment, independence, and overall quality of life.

People with disabilities should not have to plan their lives around the risk that transportation will fail them.

Reliable, accessible transportation gives people with disabilities the freedom to participate in their communities.

Image Description: A square graphic with a soft pink background and warm, earthy botanical accents. Centered in large brown handwritten-style text is the message, “Reliable transportation gives disabled people the freedom to be part of their communities.” The upper-left corner features an illustration of a person seated in a wheelchair. In the lower-right corner, another wheelchair user is shown holding hands with a standing companion. Watercolor-style floral arrangements frame the design in the upper-right and lower-left corners.

08/07/2026

🌟 Program Spotlight: Think This Is Easy? Disability Awareness Training 🌟
Do you work with individuals with disabilities or want to deepen your understanding of their experiences? The Access Center's "Think This Is Easy" (TTIE) training offers an immersive, in-person experience to help you do just that!

With over 20 years of history, TTIE uses activities that simulate various disabilities, providing authentic insights with trainers who have firsthand experience. Our recent additions include an Autism station, with plans for a Schizophrenia station soon.
Hear from participants like David Cook, who said, “The training is very eye-opening. I gained more appreciation for what others overcome daily.”

Join the 95% of participants who gained new insights and the 90% who would recommend TTIE to others. Ready to make a change? Contact Independent Living Specialist Dylan Boot at 937-341-5202 Ext 109 or [email protected] for more info.

08/07/2026

People with disabilities deserve more than being asked to “just get by.”

We deserve more than barely making ends meet.

We deserve healthcare we can actually afford—and access without fighting for it.

We deserve reliable transportation that doesn’t limit where we can go or what we can do.

We deserve buildings, spaces, and systems that everyone can access.

We deserve joy—not as a rare exception, but as part of everyday life.

We should be able to dream about our future, not spend our time terrified we’ll lose the support we need to reach it.

Too often, people with disabilities are praised for being “so strong” while being denied the very resources that would make life safer and easier.

That’s survival being romanticized.

Disabled people deserve safety, stability, and to be treated with dignity—always.

We deserve the same opportunities as everyone else.

We deserve freedom: to move through the world, to make choices, and to build full lives.

We deserve more than surviving in a world that still isn’t built to include us.

We deserve the chance to truly live.

Image Description: A floral graphic with the words, "Disabled people deserve more than simply surviving."

08/05/2026

🎉 Join us at the Access Center for our Summer 2026 Peer Social! 🌞 Enjoy games, music, and refreshments as we celebrate the season together.

📅 Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
🕒 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: 907 W. Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402

✨ Need an interpreter or any special accommodations? Let us know by Monday, August 10th, at noon! RSVP by calling (937) 341-5202 or emailing Maria Matzik at [email protected].

🚫 Please remember, the Access Center is a fragrance-free environment to ensure comfort for all. Avoid wearing scented products.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🌟

08/03/2026

🚨 Hot off the press! 🚨 Dive into the 2026 edition of Enabling Access, the Access Center's monthly newsletter. 📬 Discover how ACIL celebrated the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), explore Creative Ohio's Advocacy Leadership Institute, and catch up on the debate surrounding delayed Web accessibility rules. Plus, get the scoop on a local park's upcoming accessibility-focused renovation! 🌳

https://mailchi.mp/acils/enabling-access-august-2026-edition-acil-newsletter-12934857

👉 Sign up for monthly updates delivered right to your inbox: www.acils.com/news

Empower Your Advocacy: Join the Creative Ohio Advocacy Leadership Institute Are you someone who is interested in the arts, culture, creativity, and advocacy?  Consider joining Creative Ohio Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), which will help you gain practical tools to advocacy with confidence. Cr...

08/03/2026

Join us for an important listening session with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to discuss SB 315! 📢 This is your chance to share feedback before the rules are created. If you're part of Assisted Living, MyCare, Ohio Home Care, or PASSPORT waivers, this session is for you!

🗓 Date: Tuesday, August 4
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
🔗 Register: http://bit.ly/4bigyxO

Limited to 100 participants, so register now! 🙌

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We want your voice heard! 🎤 Join our listening session with Ohio Department of Medicaid to discuss the impact of SB 315 on waivers like Assisted Living and MyCare Ohio. This is a key moment to share your insights before rules are drafted.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, August 4
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
🔗 Register: http://bit.ly/4bigyxO

Your input is vital!

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Calling all participants of Assisted Living, MyCare, Ohio Home Care, and PASSPORT waivers! 🚨 Don’t miss the ODM listening session on SB 315. Discuss potential impacts and share your recommendations.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, August 4
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
🔗 Register: http://bit.ly/4bigyxO

Let’s make a difference together! 🤝

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: SB315 Listening Session with the Ohio Department of Medicaid. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

08/03/2026

🌟 Share Your Story with ACIL! 🌟
Has the Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) helped you find housing, access resources, or gain independent living skills? We want to hear from you! 🙌 Since 1984, we've been empowering individuals in Dayton and beyond. Now, we're turning to YOU to help spread the word!
We’re excited to feature YOUR stories on our social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Whether it's a personal success story or an advocacy issue close to your heart, we want to highlight your experiences to inspire others. 💪✨
Ready to share your journey or talk about an important cause? Reach out to our Independent Living and Communications Specialist, Allison Boot, at 937-341-5202 Ext 114 or email [email protected].
Let’s show the world that individuals with disabilities can thrive and lead fulfilling lives! 🌟

08/01/2026

You Are Invited - ODM Listening Session about SB 315 - Registration is REQUIRED

Breaking Silences and the Ohio Olmstead Task Force (OOTF) are hosting an important listening session with the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) to provide consumer feedback on SB315. This session is specifically for individuals enrolled on the nursing facility level of care waivers: Assisted Living, MyCare, Ohio Home Care, and PASSPORT.

This is your chance to talk with ODM about SB315 before the rules are created.

Date: Tuesday, August 4

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Registration is REQUIRED to attend: http://bit.ly/4bigyxO

(max capacity 100 participants)

As ODM begins implementing SB 315, they will soon be developing the administrative rules that will determine how many of the bill's provisions are put into practice. Before those rules are drafted and released for public comment, we want to provide consumers advocates, people with disabilities, family members, providers, and other stakeholders an opportunity to identify concerns, ask questions, and discuss recommendations that should be considered during the rule-writing process.

This listening session will focus on how SB 315 could affect individuals who receive services through the Assisted Living, MyCare Ohio Waiver, Ohio Home Care Waiver, and PASSPORT waivers, as well as the providers and caregivers who support them.

Discussion topics may include:

Potential impacts on participants in the Assisted Living, MyCare, Ohio Home Care, and PASSPORT waivers

EVV, GPS, prior authorizations, personal care services, and home care attendants, and live-in caregivers.

How the legislation may affect providers, caregivers, and service delivery.

Concerns, recommendations, and questions that should be shared with the Ohio Department of Medicaid before the proposed rules are written.

This is an opportunity for you to talk with ODM about SB315. Your experiences and perspectives are critical to ensuring that the administrative rules reflect the real-world needs of Ohioans who rely on these services.

We encourage anyone with an interest in the Assisted Living, MyCare Ohio Home Care, and PASSPORT waivers to attend and share their thoughts.

Note: We are working on trying to plan a similar session for those concerned about the DODD waivers and SB 315. Stay tuned for further information.

Link to information about SB315:

https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_136/legislation/sb315/05_EN/pdf/

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb315

Accommodations:

We will have ASL Interpreters and CART Captionists streaming live throughout the session.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, August 4, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Please share this email.

Sincerely,

Breaking Silences
Ohio Olmstead Task Force

07/31/2026

Support Our Mission for Greater Visibility!

We need your help to expand our reach on social media and connect with more individuals who can benefit from our services. As a dedicated non-profit, the Access Center is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving independence within the community.

Our core services include:

- Information & Referral: Access to crucial resources and support.

- Peer Support: Building a community of shared experiences.

- Independent Living Skills Training: Empowering skills for everyday life.

- Advocacy: Individual, self, and systemic support for rights and opportunities.

- Individual Transitioning: Helping individuals move towards independence.

Additionally, our REDI Program provides recycled medical equipment, we support Youth Transitions, and offer Disability Awareness Training through our "Think This is Easy?" program.

As a community-based organization, donations from individuals are vital to continuing our mission. Your support can help us increase our online visibility, reach more people in need, and make a significant impact.

If you're interested in donating or learning more about how you can be involved, please visit: www.acils.com/make-a-difference/ or reach out to us at [email protected].

Together, let's make a difference!

We also provide recycled medical equipment through our REDI Program. We work with Youth Transitions and provide Disability Awareness training through our Think This is Easy? program. As a local non-profit based in the community, donations from individuals are a vital part of our continued services.....

07/31/2026

No place can meet every access need.

Disability is broad. One person may need a ramp, while another may need a quiet space.

Sometimes, people's needs can even conflict with each other.

It's hard to make a place perfectly accessible.

But that shouldn't be a reason to do nothing.

Basic accommodations can help many people with disabilities.

Well-planned accessible parking spaces give people a safe place to park.

Step-free entrances let everyone come in through the same door.

Clear pathways help people with many different disabilities, not just those who use mobility aids.

Seating throughout the space allows those who are ambulatory to take a break if they need it.

Posting accurate accessibility information online helps everyone know what to expect.

When staff are trained to interact with neurodivergent customers, people who communicate differently feel more welcome.

Accessibility doesn't mean every place has to be ready for every possible situation.

No place will be perfect for everyone, but every place can do more than just the bare minimum.

Image Description: A floral graphic that reads, "No place will be perfectly accessible for everyone, but every place can do more than just the bare minimum."