Services for Independent Living, Inc. (SIL)

11/27/2025

Playhouse Square program for Parkinson’s patients earns global recognition via News 5 Cleveland

The Arts and Minds Initiative has officially been named a Dance for PD Licensed Affiliate — the first in Ohio and one of just 23 programs worldwide to earn the distinction.

11/25/2025

Are You Ready to Be ODDC’s Next Community Ambassador?

Do you want to use your voice to make a difference in your community? The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Community Ambassador Program is looking for Ohioans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who want to share stories about what’s happening where they live.

As a Community Ambassador, you’ll share meaningful stories from your local community with people across Ohio. Your perspective helps others understand what’s happening in our state — the challenges, the successes, and the positive changes that make Ohio more inclusive.

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

11/24/2025

Life Skills Training for Youth (Ages 14–22)

Preparing for adulthood means more than just graduating — it means learning the essential life skills needed to thrive independently.

SIL offers personalized one-on-one and small group sessions for youth ages 14–22, focusing on skills such as:

✅ Self-awareness & communication

✅ Problem-solving & decision-making

✅ Money management & budgeting

✅ Meal preparation & planning

✅ Social skills & healthy relationships

SIL can help guide the transition into adulthood with practical, real-world training.

📞 Call 216-731-1529 to learn more or schedule a session.

11/24/2025

The Supplies for Independent Living Program provides individuals with disabilities new or gently used durable medical equipment (DME), incontinence supplies, and more. The goal is to help individuals who are not able to purchase or obtain equipment through their health insurance, or any other means.

We rely on donations of gently used and new DME. Our greatest need is for manual wheelchairs, rollators and incontinence supplies (standard and bariatric). Please visit our Supplies for Independent Living Program webpage for more information. https://sil-oh.org/equipment-program/

Please contact SIL at 216-731-1529 if you are in need of DME, or would like to donate.

The Supplies for independent Living Equipment Program provides individuals with disabilities new or gently used items such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, shower chairs, incontinence supplies, and more.…Read More

11/23/2025

Join us for Connect with Conversations!

Let’s talk about self-advocacy—what it means, why it matters, and how to build the confidence to speak up for your needs and choices.

🗓 December 9th, 2025
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Zoom
(Link will be emailed after you RSVP.)

RSVP to Maddi Steimle at msteimle@sil-oh.org or 216-903-2469.

Empower yourself. Empower your voice.

11/22/2025

'It's actually very undiagnosed': Bringing attention to COPD symptoms, importance of being diagnosed as November is COPD Awareness Month.

The CDC estimates that COPD impacts roughly 30 million Americans. However, only about half of those people have the disease diagnosed.

11/22/2025

Ohio Arts Council Professional Development Support for Artists with Disabilities

The Artists with Disabilities Access Program (ADAP) provides funding that gives individual artists with disabilities the resources they need to further their artistic development. Creative expression by artists of all abilities is essential to building dynamic and diverse communities throughout Ohio. ADAP awards help artists with disabilities advance their artistic practices, making Ohio a more accessible and inclusive place to build an artistic career.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

Professional Development Support for Artists with Disabilities

11/20/2025

Annual Caregiving Conference 2025 – From Story to Strategy: Empowering Caregivers, Shaping Policy
December 2, 2025 • 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Benjamin Rose invites you to the 2025 Annual Caregiving Conference, a full-day event focused on the caregiver experience and the policies that support them, including paid family caregiver leave.

The morning will feature remarks by bestselling author and journalist Regina Brett, followed by keynote speaker Dasha Kiper, who will share insights on the challenges of caregiving through the lens of brain science. A panel of local caregivers, moderated by Tiffany Tarpley of Good Morning Cleveland, will also share personal experiences.

The afternoon will highlight current and emerging caregiver policies, with contributions from Collaborate Cleveland, the Alzheimer’s Association, and AARP Ohio.

Tickets are $60 for professionals, with CE credits for social workers. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., with sessions starting at 9:00 a.m.

Benjamin Rose invites you to join us for our Annual Caregiving Conference, From Story to Strategy: Empowering Caregivers, Shaping Policy, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s full-day conference will explore two central themes: the caregiver experience and the poli...

11/19/2025

SIL provides Information & Referral (I&R) as one of its core services.

What is Information & Referral (I&R)?

Information & Referral (I&R) is a service that helps individuals:

Access accurate information about resources, services, and supports available in their community.

Get connected to programs that meet their needs (e.g. housing, healthcare, independent living services, employment training, mental health support).

It plays a critical role in empowering people to make informed decisions—especially those with disabilities, older adults, or youth transitioning into adulthood.

Contact us at 216-731-1529.

11/18/2025

National Injury Prevention Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about injury prevention and promoting safety in our communities. On November 18, 2025, organizations across the country will come together to share knowledge, resources, and strategies for preventing injuries and violence.

View Safety Resources: https://nationalinjurypreventionday.org/partner-resources

Injury Free Coalition for Kids

11/18/2025

Alice Wong, a highly esteemed advocate for disability rights and an accomplished author, has sadly passed away at the age of 51. A "luminary of the disability justice movement," Wong dedicated her life to promoting autonomy, dignity, and visibility for individuals with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.

As the founder of the Disability Visibility Project and the author of Year of the Tiger, Wong significantly altered public perceptions of disability through her advocacy and narrative work. Her enduring legacy of justice, inclusion, and empowerment will continue to motivate future generations.

The San Francisco-based radical, a self-styled “cyborg oracle,” rose to national prominence in 2013, when President Obama appointed her to the National Council on Disability.

11/17/2025

Diabetes has reached epidemic levels in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 38 million Americans are living with diabetes and are at risk of its severe consequences. This situation is equally concerning in Ohio.

Ohio's diabetes crisis:
🔸Around 1,219,700 adults in Ohio of the adult population, have been diagnosed with diabetes.
🔸Each year, approximately 77,000 adults in Ohio receive a diabetes diagnosis.

The serious complications associated with diabetes encompass heart disease, stroke, amputations, end-stage kidney disease, blindness, and even death.

Learn more from Ohio Department of Health
https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/Diabetes/Diabetes