With chapters across the county and throughout Ohio, A Kid Again provides free fun adventures, hospital visitations and parents’ nights out for families with children who have a life-threatening medical illness. Visit the website to find your local chapter, upcoming Adventures, and enroll online for free.
777-G Dearborn Park Lane, Columbus, Ohio 43085
(614) 797-9500
akidagain.org/chapter/central-ohio-chapter
Customizable ebook library for people with dyslexia, learning disabilities, visual impairments, physical disabilities, and other reading barriers. They operate under exception to US copyright law, allowing a huge collection of copyrighted titles to be made available for readers using a tablet, computer, assistive device, or smartphone. Schools and students can access for free, individuals/adults pay a yearly fee. Individuals must register as members and provide proof of qualifying disability. Find program details and register on their website.
(650) 352-0198
bookshare.org
Serves: Children, teens, individuals, and families with ID/DD and/or behavioral health challenges.
Provides person-centered care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges. They offer primary care, dental, psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, community-based ABA, care coordination, long-term and temporary residential support, in-home and out-of-home respite services, day programs, and afterschool programs. Family Support Services are provided by the State of Ohio for families who need help keeping their loved one at home. Services vary by location, find details and request an appointment on their website.
(800) 409-2729
iamboundless.org
Offers free summer camps and family retreat experiences for seriously ill children, in a safe, medically supervised environment. Medical care is provided by volunteer physicians and nurses coordinated by a full-time medical director. They provide camps for kids with asthma, cancer, cerebral palsy, diabetes, blood disorders, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell, spina bifida and more.
1501 Burnley Road, Scottsville, Kentucky 42164
(270) 618-2900
courageouskids.org
Family resource group bringing people and families living with CP together to share information, resources, personal experience, advice, and support.
(614) 868-0146
facebook.com/cpparentcolumbus
Access tons of helpful information about Cerebral Palsy resources, accessibility, inclusion, and research through the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. They have a video library, fact sheets, a free app for families, and a resource website.
Cerebral Palsy Resource Website: cpresource.org
The Free CP Channel App: yourcpf.org/cpproduct/cp-channel
Cerebral Palsy Foundation Website: yourcpf.org
Serves: children and adults with developmental disabilities
Provides comprehensive health services for children and adults living with disabilities. Services include early childhood education, adult day services, in-home care, referral services, and outpatient therapies. They also offer afterschool programs and summer day camps for children.
Provides resources, tools, and trainings to help individuals and families of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their website has database of programs and organizations across Ohio for helpful products, therapy, schools, legal help, clinical trials, and more. They use Charting the LifeCourse principals to help individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life, and regular LifeCourse trainings are available for families and professionals.
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Family Resource Coordinator: (614) 293-2134
Family Support Coordinator: (513) 636-4723
frnohio.org
Offers free guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations, ADA and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Assistance is available both over the phone and online. Their website also has helpful information on a wide range of medical conditions with related resources and accommodations.
Voice: (800) 526-7234
TTY: (877) 781-9403
Text: (304) 216-8189
askjan.org
Provides free adaptive bikes to children and young adults with conditions like Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Autism, and more. Families may contact the organization directly to start the application process, which includes an application, interview, and letter from the family’s therapist. Wait times vary by state.
8305 Tom Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815
(225) 456-3505
mclindonfamilyfoundation.org
Provides non-emergency, long-distance ground transportation for patients traveling for treatment. Patients must be ambulatory and meet income guidelines. Patients may receive gas cards, bus, train, or airline tickets. Trips within a local area or community is typically not handled, but exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit the website for contact information.
101 West Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510
mercymedical.org
Provides individualized treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults with physical disabilities. Services include injury evaluation, rehabilitation, and adaptive athletic training.
Dublin Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center
5680 Venture Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 355-6000
nationwidechildrens.org/adaptive-sports-medicine-program
Devoted to children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Families can see a variety of specialists in one clinic visit. Testing, such as x-rays or lab work, is available as needed. Families are linked with medical, educational, social and financial resources in the community as needed. The website also provides resource listings.
479 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Referral: (614) 722-5136
nationwidechildrens.org/cerebral-palsy-program
Provides a full range of homecare services to Central Ohio children of all ages, from newborns through young adults. Homecare offers the following areas of service:
255 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 355-1100
nationwidechildrens.org/homecare
Provides developmental occupational therapy (OT), speech and language therapy, and physical therapy (PT) services. Services are provided at the main hospital and at many clinic locations throughout the community, for children from birth to age 21.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2200
Occupational Therapy: nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/occupational-therapy
Speech Pathology: nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/speech-pathology
Physical Therapy: nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/physical-therapy
Specializes in the diagnosis and management of children with physically disabling conditions. Services include wheelchair and seating evaluations, prosthetic evaluations, spasticity management, electrodiagnosis, and more.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Cerebral Palsy Clinic: (614) 722-5136
Myelomeningocele Clinic: (614) 722-5775
Botox, Concussion, Electrodiagnostic, Physical Medicine, and Seating Clinics: (614) 722-5050
nationwidechildrens.org/physical-medicine-rehabilitation
Community-based book club program for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. A small group meets with trained facilitators at bookstores, cafés, and public libraries throughout Franklin County. Anyone can participate, whatever their reading or ability level. Members experience an inclusive community focused on reading to learn together and build friendships, rather than learning to read.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 685-6718
Franklin County: nisonger.osu.edu/adolescent/adolescent-clinics-services/next-chapter-book-club
National Website: nextchapterbookclub.org
Waivers are programs that help Ohio Medicaid customers with special needs remain at home instead of being in a nursing home, hospital, or facility. They provide financial assistance to families, and there is typically a waiting list. Services may include personal care, transportation, respite services, supported employment, nutrition services, assistive devices, home modifications and interpreter services. See further information about Ohio waiver programs below.
50 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Consumer Hotline: (800) 324-8680
medicaid.ohio.gov
The Department of Developmental Disabilities is a statewide system of supports and services for people with developmental disabilities, and their families. Each county in Ohio has its own Board of Developmental Disabilities, which is the place to start for determining eligibility, assessing your needs, and coordinating which services can best support you. Their offices can help you with early intervention programs, healthcare services, waivers and scholarships, job training and employment, unusual incident reporting, and more.
Provides safety beds and solutions to improve quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, whether at home or traveling. Families can go online to order a permanent bed, travel bed, and other safety items. The beds are Medicaid-approved in Ohio and the company provides liaison services to coordinate care between your physician and insurance. Their in-house physical therapist can assist with Letter of Medical Necessity if needed.
Call or Text: (614) 602-5196
Program Brochure
Website: safeplacebedding.com
A free program for children with serious medical conditions and disabilities ages 5-16. Children are paired with sports teams at colleges and universities across the state of Ohio with the goal of creating meaningful, long-lasting relationships with student athletes. Kids experience positive social-emotional development and a sense of belonging through inclusion, support and team engagement. Go online to find a participating team near you and apply.
National Office: 500 Victory Road, Quincy, Massachusetts 02171
(317) 709-7658
teamimpact.org
Provides grants for children with Cerebral Palsy to receive pediatric intensive therapies. Families may apply for financial assistance with the organization once per year, three times maximum per child. Children must be under the age of 18, have a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, and be under the care of a pediatrician to be considered. Go online to contact the family-owned non-profit organization and to complete the application for grant assistance.
102 West Main Street, New Albany, Ohio 43054
thelennfoundation.org/contact
Provides care for children, adolescents, and adults with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, and other neuromuscular disabilities at multiple locations through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Services include case management, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and early childhood integrated therapies. They also provide comprehensive assistive technology evaluations for all ages.
(513) 636-4601
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
5642 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224
9560 Children’s Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040
cincinnatichildrens.org/service/a/aaron-perlman-center
Federally-funded career development program for Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 through 64 who want to work. Provides free employment services to help participants decide if working is right for them, prepare for work, find a job, or maintain success while working. Participants receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from authorized Ticket to Work service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency.
(866) 968-7842 or (866) 833-2967 TTY
choosework.ssa.gov
Promotes independence and inclusion for people with cerebral palsy, intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. Their website has tons of helpful Resources including a Guide to Homebuying for people with disabilities, disability etiquette, healthcare resources, and more. UCP of Greater Cleveland offers a Mobility Clinic for Assistive Technology assessment and equipment fitting. They also offer therapy and education services for children, and adult day services.
UCP National Office: 8401 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182
(800) 872-5827
ucp.org
UCP Greater Cleveland: 10011 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 791-8363
ucpcleveland.org