Access-Ability

Our Story

The Bartholomew County Society for the Disabled Inc., currently doing business as Access-Ability, is an organization that has changed with the needs of the community. In 1962, Paul Stacker, the first director of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, asked Maynard Noll if he could provide cars to help transport the disabled children back and forth to Donner Center Pool. This was the birth of the swimming program and a longtime friendship between Maynard Noll and the disabled children he helped. Camp Koch was the next program to be introduced. The society members would transport children with special needs to and from the week-long camp in Tell City which no longer exists. In the late 1960's, durable medical equipment was collected and distributed by volunteer members. Carrico and Brad's Furniture provided warehouse space for the donated equipment to be stored. The Carpenters Union donated their hall to be used for the telethon headquarters. Easter Seals also held root beer float sales with Target stores, as well as chili cook-off’s at FairOaks Mall. In 1995, to help offset rising needs and costs, the agency created a series of collectible ornaments of famous landmarks and architectural buildings in our community. In 1999, our name changed to Easter Seals of Bartholomew County. These changes were made by the National Easter Seals organization and affected all Easter Seals chapters. In 2011, Bartholomew County Society for the Disabled, Inc. changed our doing business name to Access-Ability, which currently serves over 1,000 adults and children in Bartholomew and the surrounding counties.

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