They assist people of all ages with significant disabilities who want to live more independently by providing information and referral resources on housing, schooling, transportation, housing modifications, assistive technology, and benefits. They also offer Advocacy/Peer Support to allow people with a disability to explore options, Independent Living Skills training to learn and/or improve life skills and help locate community-based services.
Fairfield County:
418 South Broad Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 689-1494
Hocking County:
1369 East Front Street, Logan, Ohio 43138
(740) 380-1475
socil.org/
Provides medical grants that cover a wide variety of clinical, equipment, travel, lodging, and vehicle modification costs related to children’s healthcare needs.
2800 Rock Creek Parkway, North Kansas City, Missouri 64117
(816) 201-1569
cernercharitablefoundation.org/request-funding
In partnership with United Cerebral Palsy of Cincinnati, they meet the needs of children with physical disabilities and chronic physical conditions. They provide assistive technology evaluations for children and adults. They have a helpful program where kids can try out wheelchairs and other equipment for free before making a purchase.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
cincinnatichildrens.org/service/a/aaron-perlman-center
Provides accessible educational materials, access to assistive technologies and highly specialized technical assistance and professional development support.
470 Glenmont Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 410-1042
ataem.org
Provides an adaptive toy lending program that gives children access to adaptive toys. Parents can checkout toys at participating local libraries. They also provide a device lending library to search for and borrow equipment that is specifically designed to assist a particular special need (like speech communication devices, walkers, wheelchairs and computer access aids).
1314 Kinnear Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 292-2390 or (800) 784-3425
Computer Refurbishing Program: (614) 688-3222 or (866) 801-7306 Toll-free
atohio.engineering.osu.edu
Their assistive technology fund provides funds to cover a percentage of the retail price of adaptive devices or software to help blind and legally blind individuals. Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States to qualify for this program.
PO Box 246, Holbrook, Massachusetts 02343
(781) 961-1023
blindcitizens.org/assistive-technology-fund
List assistive technology resources to families of children with disabilities. The website offers access to monthly newsletters, online discussions moderated by nationally recognized experts, a resource review database with hundreds of reviews of assistive technology resources and more.
air.org/project/center-technology-and-disability
Offer adaptive equipment services and collections are available for individuals with disabilities. The Columbus Metropolitan Library has 23 branch locations throughout Columbus, Ohio.
96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-2275
columbuslibrary.org/adaptive-services
Program: Provides speech-language and occupational individual and group therapy, screenings, and evaluations. They also offers audiology and hearing aid services, career exploration and job training, as well as American Sign Language (ASL) classes for adults and youth ages 16 and older
Eligibility: varies by program, serves young children (under the age of 6 years old) up to seniors (65 years old and older)
Cost: varies by program; self pay and accept many insurances, including Caresource, Molina and Medicaid
Referral: individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization
510 East North Broadway, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 263-5151
columbusspeech.org
Offer services and classes for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including interpreting, case management, sign language (ASL) classes, deaf equipment modifications, early intervention, employment, youth clubs, summer camps and mentoring. Their deaf equipment modification program provides funding to help people buy equipment that makes their home more accessible. Visit the website for additional contact information.
Columbus Office: 5830 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085
(614) 841-1991 Voice or (614) 515-6065 VP
dsc.org
Allows the special needs community to buy and sell gently used and new medical equipment, therapy devices, adaptive toys and more online. The foundation also awards some grants to people in need.
2077 East Fourth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(888) 343-3639
differentneedzfoundation.org/
Provides legal advocacy and rights protection throughout Ohio to a wide range of people with disabilities. This includes assisting individuals with problems such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology devices, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting and rights protection issues within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
200 Civic Center Drive, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-7264 or (800) 282-9181
disabilityrightsohio.org
Provides funding for children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted. Applications must be submitted online, and they cover expenses such as wheelchairs, assistive technology, vehicle modifications and clinical procedures. Applications are accepted throughout the United States.
2800 Rockcreek Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64117
(816) 201-1569
www.oraclehealthfoundation.org/pediatric-grants
Offers assistive communication devices to anyone in need, like wheelchairs, commodes, walkers, crutches and more free of charge.
660 South Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
(937) 461-4800 or (937) 226-0356 TTY or (937) 641-8136 VRS
gesmv.org/community-programs/specialty-programs
This website lists school ratings and reviews, as well as provide practical advice and information on raising successful, college-ready kids. Their E-ssential Guide to Assistive Technology provides an overview of current technologies to help parents select the right tools for their children.
greatschools.org
Provides information about assistive technology and lists resources for youth with disabilities, focused on 4 categories (living, playing, learning and working).
infinitec.org
myinfinitec.org
Offers a lot of information about selecting a wheelchair, finding funding and assistive technology devices and services.
wheelchairnet.org
A non-profit, volunteer organization that creates adaptive devices for individuals with disabilities whose needs cannot be met by a device in the marketplace. Visit the website for more information.
7501 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
(513) 340-8102
maywehelp.org
Provides adaptive bikes to children with special needs so that they can build critical core strength, boost confidence and nurture friendships.
8305 Tom Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
(225) 456-3505
mclindonfamilyfoundation.org
The following agencies offer assistance with medical and special needs equipment and should be contacted directly for further details. Please remember to research consumer information about any piece of furniture to ensure the item has not been placed on any product recall list.
Provides several services, including independent living skills training where young adults develop the skills necessary to live as independent as possible in the community, equipment loan program, library services and more.
690 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 443-5936
mobileonline.org
Provides free loans of media to students who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, visually impaired or deaf-blind. They also have information and internet resources related to accessibility.
1447 East Main Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29307
(800) 237-6213 Voice or (800) 237-6819 TTY
dcmp.org
Provide additional access to health care at your child’s school. The services provided are not meant to replace your pediatrician or family doctor. Care Connection programs include: Pediatric Services, Mental Health Counseling Services, Mobile Care Center, School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) and Wheelchair Clinic. Visit the website for the list of participating schools and additional contact information.
Provide 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 or (800) 466-2727 Toll-free
nationwidechildrens.org/homecare
Helps parents and children evaluate assistive technology and equipment.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-5050
nationwidechildrens.org/physical-medicine-rehabilitation-clinics
Offers complete services for children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, including an autism clinic, behavior support services, dental care for children with developmental disabilities, early intervention programs, psychiatric services, special education/transition services. Their website has an extensive list of resources for families as well.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Administration: (614) 685-3192 or (855) 983-9955 Toll-free
nisonger.osu.edu
Additional Contact Information: nisonger.osu.edu/contact-us
Serves families and professionals working with students with autism and low-incidence disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments and traumatic brain injuries. Their website has an extensive services and supports database (Nexus) of helpful community resources, as well as a free lending library of books, DVDs and assistive technology. They publish a parent guide that discusses topics such as screening and diagnosis, accessing educational services, future planning and more.
470 Glenmount Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 410-0321 or (866) 886-2254 Toll-free
ocali.org
OCALI Contact Directory: ocali.org/project/learn_about_OCALI/page/contact_OCALI
A free service that provides full telephone accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and speech-disabled. Anyone wishing to use the service simply dials 711, and they will dial the requested number and relay the conversation between the two callers. It allows hearing callers to communicate with text telephone users and vice versa.
711 or (800) 750-0750 Voice/TTY or (877) 750-9097 Speech-to-Speech or (888) 269-0678 for Spanish
ohiorelay.com
Offers several relay and captioning service options. Their website has helpful information about making 911 emergency calls and relay services in Ohio.
Provides free recorded books, magazines and playback equipment to approximately 15,000 eligible blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, and reading disabled Ohio residents.
(800) 686-1531 or (614) 644-6895
library.ohio.gov/using-the-library/services-for-the-blind
Provides information, resources and tools focusing on helping the government implement the requirements of Section 508. The public can access resources for understanding and implementing the requirements of Section 508 as they apply to the development, procurement, maintenance, or use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services.
1800 F Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20405
(800) 872-2253 or (800) 993-2822 TTY
section508.gov
Their website has helpful basic information about what assistive technology is, who can qualify and how to obtain funding. Visit the website for contact information.
1825 K Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20006
ucp.org
Provides discounted and specialized technology to children with intellectual disabilities. Visit the website for contact information.
vivint.com/company/gives-back
A 24 hours a day, 365 days a year radio station that serves people who cannot read the printed word. VOICEcorps features newspapers, magazines, various periodicals/journals and books. Some of their most popular offerings include grocery/retail ads, obituaries and live programs. Broadcasts may be heard within Columbus, central and southern Ohio.
2955 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 274-7650
voicecorps.org
Helps children with disabilities by providing assistance in getting wheelchairs, vehicle modifications, home modifications, and therapeutic and assistive equipment. All services are offered at no cost to families that qualify.
1200 S. Pinellas Ave, Suite 3, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 946-0963
wheelchairs4kids.org
Serves: Single Adults & Families, Youth & Teens
Their programs, services and initiatives are for men, women and children of all ages covering health and fitness, swimming, age-specific activities, child care, camps, juvenile justice, housing, programming for infants and children with special needs (ECRN+), loanable adaptive equipment, and more. In their YMCA Stable Families coordinated service program, families with children (from Pre-K to 12th grade) who live in Franklin County have access to a service coordinator who can help in increasing household income, obtaining/maintaining safe and stable housing, and increasing the academic achievement of school-aged children. Visit the website or contact a YMCA center for additional information.
YMCA Administrative Office: 1907 Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 389-4409
YMCA Stable Families: (614) 636-3208
ymcacolumbus.org
YMCA Stable Families: ymcacolumbus.org/stable-form
YMCA Locations & Contacts: ymcacolumbus.org/locations