LEAP Cleveland

08/05/2025

Over the past year, Keith has collaborated with our Employment Specialist, Adam Walls, to achieve his goal of securing a part-time stocking position. Although Keith faced some unexpected obstacles, his hard work and resilience led him to find a position at Fresh Thyme Market and earn Employee of the Month in February. Congratulations, Keith!

Check out what Keith had to say about his experience working with LEAP!

https://www.leapinfo.org/our-impact/our-stories/keiths-triumph-securing-the-right-job-at-fresh-thyme

08/02/2025

Are you signed up for LEAP's e-newsletter? Sign up today for consumer stories, information about our programs and services, ways to get involved, and other LEAP updates delivered to your inbox. Click the link and fill out the form to sign up for LEAP's e-newsletter today!

https://leapinfo.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/leap-quarterly-e-newsletter-sign-up

08/01/2025

We had a great time celebrating with everyone at the Disability Pride Party! A special thank you to our storytellers, drag show performers, event team, Forest City Brewery, and sponsors (MaxHousing, Skylight Financial Group, Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services, Common Goal Financial, Youth Challenge, Nick Corbo, Margaret Boros, Susie Torpey, Sherwin Williams, Maryann Hudak, Mara Layne, Chris Garr, and Patricia Hughes)! Please share your photos from the Disability Pride Party in the comments.

07/30/2025

Happy Disability Pride Month!

Meet Talia Zimmerman! Talia is sharing how her relationship with disability pride has evolved since learning to communicate.

For the first 24 years of her life, Talia lived in silence, using an iPad with pre-programmed options to communicate. The method was not expressive, and Talia had so much to tell the world. Everything changed two years ago, when her parents decided to give Spelling to Communicate a chance at Access S2C, in Highland Heights.

Over the last two years, with Talia's permission, her mom, Lisa Silverberg Zimmerman, has been documenting Talia's spelling journey on Facebook. Now, Talia travels around Northeast Ohio with Access S2C, advocating for other nonspeakers to find their voices with the method that transformed her life. Through her advocacy, Talia's journey has been featured by cleveland.com and Disability Scoop. Yet, sharing her journey of disability pride was different.

Talia excitedly answered each question LEAP's Communications Coordinator and long-time friend, Isabel Merriman, asked her, excitedly typing, "Next question after each reply." Here's what Talia had to say:

What does disability pride mean to you?
"As a nonspeaker ive never been given the opportunity to voice my opinion on this topic. I am finally able to communicate via typing and excited to share my thoughts.

I believe individuals with disabilities often struggle to fit in. We are hard to understand at times. Disability pride offers people like myself another opportunity to feel welcome with no judgement. I think disability pride is very cool."

How has your disability pride experience changed since learning to communicate?
"I am a lot more confident in my own body and feel better supported by all who surround me. My life has changed in so many positive ways."

Tap the link below to learn about Talia's journey finding her voice.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/12/im-free-new-communication-method-finally-gives-people-with-autism-a-voice.html

07/30/2025

Like many other agencies and groups working for and with individuals with disabilities, LEAP is deeply concerned about the recent Executive Order signed on July 24. President Trump's order, which reverses previous protections preventing the institutionalization of people with mental health challenges, substance abuse disorders, and those who are unhoused, is framed as a means of providing individuals with treatment and restoring public order. These civil commitments will allow a judge to order admissions to psychiatric hospitals or outpatient treatment facilities without their consent.

We must never forget the legacy of institutions such as the Willowbrook State School, which began as a chartered school to educate and train individuals with disabilities and then became an overcrowded warehouse for over 6,000 neglected and forgotten human beings. Willowbrook remained open until 1987, too recent to dismiss. Forced institutionalization wasn't the answer then, and it still is not now.

The value of safe, accessible housing and access to adequate health care and community services cannot be overstated. These are not just humane, but also cost-effective approaches. Unfortunately, recent actions by our elected officials put those solutions at risk.

With our Congressional Representatives currently on summer recess and back in their home districts, the time to act is now. This is a crucial moment to make your voice heard. Reach out to them through calls, letters, and visits. Remind them that their duty is to represent all of their constituents, especially the most vulnerable. Forced institutionalization, as President Trump's Executive Order suggests, is NOT the answer to "crime and disorder".

We are committed to progress, and we will not allow a return to the past. We CANNOT and will NOT go back. Yet, it's on us to advocate.

Find Your Elected Officials' Contact Information: https://www.leapinfo.org/advocacy/contact-your-elected-officials

Make Your Voice Heard: https://www.leapinfo.org/advocacy/make-your-voice-heard

Join Disability Rising CLE to Advocate for Disability Rights: https://www.leapinfo.org/advocacy/leap-advocacy-group

Sign the National Council on Independent Living Advocacy & Action Center's Action Items to Protect Disability Rights:
https://ncil.org/advocacy-action/

WASHINGTON – President Trump signed an executive order today directing states to criminalize unhoused people and institutionalize people with mental...

07/26/2025

Happy Disability Pride Day!

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passing into law. Over the last 35 years, individuals with disabilities have joined together to celebrate this milestone for disability civil rights. In 2019, the disability pride flag became a unique symbol of these celebrations. Tap the link below to learn more ⬇️

https://www.leapinfo.org/blog/2025/07/01/disability-pride-flag-colors-and-symbolism

07/23/2025

We're hiring!

Are you passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities in their pursuit of independent living? Join our team as an Independent Living Specialist (Accessor).

In this part-time role, you will be responsible for assessing individuals currently living in nursing homes to determine their eligibility for the HOME Choice Program, and then making appropriate recommendations for the consumer to the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

Qualified applicants must:
- Possess a valid Ohio license to practice as a registered nurse under Chapter 4723 of the Revised Code or a current, valid Ohio license to practice as a licensed social worker or licensed independent social worker under Chapter 4757 of the Revised Code

- Two years' experience in Vocational Rehabilitation, social work, education, or related field

- Experience working with a variety of people with disabilities and familiarity with advocacy, vocational, and community support programs

- Current Certification in First Aid and CPR (required within two months of employment) and MUI training

- Must have reliable transportation to provide community and home-based services

- Proficiency with Internet and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook in a professional setting

- If driving a vehicle to provide community services and home-based services, you must have a valid Ohio driver's license, a clear driving record, and proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage (required to be maintained at all times for this position)

Tap the link below to learn more about the role and apply today!

https://www.leapinfo.org/about/careers-at-leap/careers-at-leap/independent-living-specialist-assessor

07/22/2025

We’re having a great time at the Disability Pride Party !

07/21/2025

Happy Disability Pride Month!

Today, we are exploring what disability pride means to Lisa Marn. Throughout Lisa's life, people have underestimated her because of her disability. That has not stopped her from embracing the true meaning of the independent living philosophy. Support LEAP today, so more people can achieve their independent living goals like Lisa did!
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07/21/2025

The 2025 Ohio State Fair is just around the corner! Enjoy an accessible Ohio State Fair from July 23 to August 3, through the fair's collaboration with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities! This year, you can expect:

🚘 Accessible Parking
🚻 Accessible Restrooms
🚼 Universal Changing Tables
🐕‍🦺 Service & Guide Animals Only
🗣️ Audio Descriptions
🙏 ASL Interpretation
🎧 Assisted Listening Devices
🧺 Accessible Picnic Tables
🧑‍🦼‍➡️ Wheelchair Charing Stations
🔐 Wheelchair, Stroller, Wagon, Scooter, & Locker Rentals
😊 Sensory-Friendly Morning
📱 Communication Boards
🪗 Accessible Concert
😋 Dietary Options

Tap the link below to learn more about the Ohio State Fair's accessibility measures!

Accessible parking is available in the general parking lots. Please let the parking attendant know you are looking for accessible parking and they will direct you to the correct area.

07/21/2025

Did you hear the news? Apple Original Films is making a movie based on Judy Heumann's memoir, "Being Heumann." Tap the link below to see the cast and learn more!

Michael Patrick Thornton, Antwan Tolliver, SAG Award-winner Daniel Durant, Jon Beavers and Roberta Colindrez