ADA Columbus

12/15/2021

Your participation in this survey about Independent Living is very helpful. Thank you.

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11/12/2021

The Center for Disability Empowerment is pleased to reach out and help people with disabilities in Franklin, Delaware, Licking and Union counties every day. Here's an example of how we've helped one gentleman with a disability in several ways through our programs. We encourage people with disabilities to give us a call so we can connect you, too, with some helpful programs and community resources. The Center for Disability Empowerment can be reached at (614) 575-8055.

Lu H. benefits from multiple programs offered by The Center for Disability Empowerment

Lu H., of Columbus, is pleased that he contacted The Center for Disability Empowerment a few years back. He did so at first to learn more about the state program that helps people with disabilities hire and manage Personal Care Assistants or PCAs. Due to his disability affecting his mobility and balance at times, Lu needed assistance from a helper. And through the PCA program, which CDE facilitates in several counties for the state agency Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, Lu was able to hire his mother as his PCA. “She drives me to my appointments and helps me do things that I can’t do in the home or when I am out of the house,” he said. “The program is very helpful both to me and to my mother.”

As Lu, who sometimes uses a cane, began to see the fruits of being connected to such a program, he also learned of other things The Center for Disability Empowerment offered to people with disabilities. Because his disability affects his walking, he always entered or exited his house through the back door, which wasn’t very convenient. But when Lu was told about a ramp and home modification program CDE had, recently, he applied for and received a new stair railing for the front yard steps. “Now I can safely go through the front because of the hand rail,” he said. If COTA’s Project Mainstream vehicle or a friend picks him up to go somewhere, he can safely navigate the front steps. While the program that provided Lu’s railing has used all its funds, people are still encouraged to call CDE to ask about ramp and home modification resources to show that there is a need for that type of funding on a regular basis.

These days, Lu is also meeting weekly with Ann Heilbrunn, CDE Employment Specialist, on his job search skills, resume, cover letters and overall knowledge about the job search and working process. “Lu is motivated,” Heilbrunn said. “He does want to work in customer service and continues to try to improve his typing skills, health and being an advocate for himself.” It looks like work is just around the corner for Lu. He reports that he will begin training for a customer service job in the IT field with the start of the new year. “I’m thankful to the Center for Disability Empowerment for that.”
Lu said obtaining assistance through the PCA program, having safer access at home and the anticipation of a new job on the horizon has strengthened him.“Disability was at first an obstacle I had to overcome. With the help of various therapies and programs the burden has been lifted.”

Lu’s advice to others with disabilities: Call CDE. “I think the Center for Disability Empowerment has a lot of beneficial programs you can take from and benefit from. Instead of just being sad about your disability there are a lot of programs at CDE that can help you.”

For more information about The Center for Disability Empowerment’s programs and services, call (614) 575-8055. CDE serves people with disabilities in Franklin, Delaware, Licking and Union counties.

11/04/2021

Glad NBC4 has this in the news.

COLUMBUS (WCMH) — A scooter problem in the downtown area is pushing some people to their limit.   Viewer Brandon says he’s noticed a lot of the wheelchair access…

11/01/2021

Here's an article about The Center for Disability Empowerment's "Free to Bless Columbus, Ohio" Facebook group. Enjoy.

‘Free to Bless – Columbus, Ohio ’ Facebook group supports CDE Transition Services

Deb Petermann, Transition Services Coordinator at The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE), organized the “Free to Bless – Columbus, Ohio” Facebook group in 2018 to support the program that helps identify state housing programs for which individuals with disabilities may qualify. “Most of the people I moved lost their furnishings. They lost their apartments. Some were homeless,” Petermann said. “I knew people had extra stuff at home, so why not ask them if they were willing to share it with others in need.” The premise is simple, have gently used furnishings you can donate? Petermann has people who need those items. The Facebook group helps subsidize the furnishings they need to live comfortably in an apartment.

With membership now standing at 232, many in the group “answer the call” when Petermann signals she is about to transition another person with a disability. Only people with disabilities served by CDE can benefit from the Facebook group, she said. Since the group began, she has helped about 40 people with disabilities locate housing.
Because CDE does not have storage units, Petermann asks Free to Bless members to hold their items until they are needed, and most people do that. The requests for help include asks for anything a typical apartment dweller needs. “I think of what I would want,” she said. She also provides “Wish Lists” from consumers at times. Requests for lamps, tables, chairs, kitchen tables, etc. are common. “Sometimes, it’s just (an ask) for a coffee maker.”

Neil M., who lives in central Ohio, benefitted from the kindness of the group. In a nursing home for nine months after a three-month hospital stay, he met Petermann and a month later she found him an apartment. “Basically, I just had the clothes on my back,” he said. Group members responded to his furniture needs. “I got a dining table, coffee table, lamps, dresser, nightstand, TV stand, and even a vacuum cleaner,” he said. “It let me know that despite what is going on in the world, there are still some good people who will bless others with things that they need to get along in the world.”

The group maintains anonymity for giver and receiver alike. Nobody knows who gives or who receives items. That way, everyone’s privacy is maintained. Todd Marthaler, of Sunbury, a truck owner, has helped transport household items for people Petermann has assisted. His wife and his son Sam have also helped. "It's just one of those things I can help some people out by doing something bigger than myself,” he said. “I feel good about it.”

There’s always a need for more helpers in the group. Pick-up truck drivers are being sought to form two teams of volunteers who can assemble quickly to transport larger items when Petermann announces she is helping a person who has been approved for a new apartment.

As the group grows, Petermann hopes for one thing: “Awareness of what CDE does, and community awareness of the lack of housing needs for people with disabilities and awareness of what they need.”

To learn more about the group, or to join its transport teams, contact Peterman at CDE, (614) 575-8055 or email: dpetermann@disabilityempowerment.net. To join the Free to Bless – Columbus, Ohio group, use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2064325610506399.

10/13/2021

This important training being provided by COTA to people with disabilities who ride COTA fixed route buses will focus on the new Fare Maintenance System the transit authority will be rolling out on Nov. 1. Very helpful training to become prepared for the new ways people can pay for their COTA fixed route bus rides.

COTA schedules trainings for people with disabilities and their families and seniors to use new Fare Management System

The Center for Disability Empowerment is partnering with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Mobility Services to inform COTA fixed route bus riders with disabilities, their families and seniors about three new training opportunities for those who would like to learn how to use the new Smart card and digital system of paying for rides on COTA’s fixed route buses. The new fare management system goes into effect Nov. 1, 2021.

The training sessions will take place Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at the COTA Mobility Services Building, located at 1330 Fields Ave., Columbus, OH 43201. Trainings will take place at 10:00 a.m., Noon and 2:00 p.m. To register for the free training, e-mail Claire Jennings, Mobility Program Manager, at jenningsch@cota.com. COTA Bus #12 which routes through the Downtown area, goes to the Fields Avenue building.

07/12/2021

You are invited to The Center for Disability Emppowerment's 31st Anniversary Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Monday, July 26 in the great community of Westerville, Ohio! An in-person event. Hear what experts say is the recipe for an inclusive, accessible community. Learn what local towns have been doing to make their communities more inclusive and accessible. Registration required, for this free event. See you there!!!!

The Center for Disability Empowerment will celebrate the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with an in-person event on:

Monday, July 26
9:30AM to 12PM
at the Westerville Community Center

Beyond the ADA – Creating Inclusive Disability-Friendly Communities will feature a presentation by Dr. Phillip Stafford, an expert in creating age and disability friendly communities. Several Ohio communities will discuss their initiatives as well. Government officials and community leaders are encouraged to attend.

The event is free, registration is required!

Registration Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/158635662537

06/30/2021

Transportation users with disabilities can take this transportaton survey; Your feedback is important.

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05/19/2021

Our friends at The Ability Center of Greater Toledo have asked us to share this survey on disabilities. Your participation is very helpful and is greatly appreciated. The deadline to participate is May 31 and is quickly approaching, so take part now. Thank you.

The Ability Center of Greater Toledo would like to hear from people with disabilities throughout Ohio about the barriers they encounter in the community. Please take the survey and/or share with others. Let you voice be heard in a way that will influence policies that affect you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AdvocacyPrioritiesSurvey

03/05/2021

Register now for this great webinar! Pass along to those you think might benefit. Thank you.

The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) will be hosting a 90-minute webinar for youth with disabilities on the topic of Disability History.

ADA, IDEA, Olmstead Decision...to most these and many more are completely unknown to the general public and even people with disabilities. Join us as we travel through time and take a look back to where it all started and what it took for people with disabilities to get to where they are today. As with any other culture, disability has its own rich history riddled with the good, the bad and the not so pretty stories about the struggles endured by the ones who came before us in the advocacy movement. We will encourage you through learning about the lives of others with disabilities and empower you to reach your full potential as you make your journey into adulthood.

This webinar will be held on:

Friday March 19. 2021 at 7:00 PM-8:30 PM EST
Register in advance at the link below:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OhoQ4KyXSkGNgHNA1okxyw

If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Lahrmer at jlahrmer@disabilityempowerment.net or by phone at (614) 575-8055 and be sure to leave a voicemail. A staff member will return your call within 24 hours.

01/20/2021

Take the survey and help Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. Thank you.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is pleased to launch a statewide survey to give Ohioans with disabilities a chance to provide feedback about their employment experiences. Survey responses will help OOD evaluate its effectiveness, make improvements, and enhance outreach efforts. The survey is brief (10-15 minutes) and completely anonymous.

Responses to this survey will ultimately help OOD bring positive, lasting change for other individuals with disabilities.

Click here to take the survey.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xPz4UNiUB0-E6zbtV8fIog46lcI9IflBnucxJDlqjppURTlOMkFVTU0yV0dJVUQ1VDdIVzI3VkdBUSQlQCN0PWcu

If you have questions regarding the survey, please e-mail OOD.HiringAbility@ood.ohio.gov.

12/22/2020

Hot off the presses! Enjoy the CDE Year in Review Newsletter. Feel free to share. Thank you.

Thank you for being with us through this eventful year Donate Today A year in review: Closing out 2020 with CDE! Letter from Executive Director Sue Hetrick Like everyone, our lives and our way of pr

11/21/2020

Register now! First presentation is on Tuesday Dec 1!