The Access Center

11/21/2025

Discover the Access Center's Information and Referral Service!

Ever needed info but had no time to search? ACIL's I&R service is here to help!
I&R is a key service provided by ACIL and CILs nationwide, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to vital information and resources. CILs serve as community hubs, offering personalized guidance and support.
CILs provide current info on:

- Accessible housing
- Educational resources
- Assistive tech
- Job opportunities
- Transport options
- Healthcare services
- Financial aid

Need ACIL’s I&R service? Call 937-341-5202 for help finding specific resources. Connect with our I&R Specialist, Terry Cammack, who will gather your info and assist in locating what you need.

“It’s crucial for consumers to give me time to find what they need and maintain realistic expectations,” Terry says.

REDI Program inquiries and accessible housing requests are common. Terry emphasizes the need for detailed info on budget, income, and location to provide effective help.

I&R aims to empower consumers to help themselves. For example, if you request legal aid, Terry will refer you to Disability Rights Ohio, providing contact info without making the call for you. Similarly, he provides housing listings rather than visiting locations.

ACIL is available for I&R requests Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Multiple calls on the same topic, like employment, may lead to a referral to an Independent Living Specialist.

While the ACIL team may not have all the answers, we are committed to finding them! Over the past year, we've referred individuals to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, recommended RTA Connect for transport, and more. Our resource database is ever-growing.

Questions about ACIL’s I&R Program? Contact Terry at 937-341-5202 Ext 110 or terry.cammack@acils.com.

11/21/2025

🌟 **Share Your Journey with ACIL!** 🌟

Has the Access Center transformed your life by helping you secure housing, find resources, or develop independent living skills? We’d love to hear from you and share your story with our community!

Since 1984, ACIL has empowered thousands in Dayton and beyond, but many still don’t know we’re here to help. We’re on a mission to spread the word about our dedication to uplifting individuals with disabilities—and we need your voice! 🗣️

We’re eager to feature your amazing stories in our newsletter and on social media. Join us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and be part of the movement! 📱

If ACIL has touched your life, reach out and share your journey with us. You’ll have complete control over your narrative, and together, we can show the world how individuals with disabilities not only survive but thrive with ACIL by their side. ✨

Want to advocate for a cause? We’d be thrilled to help you amplify your message through our platforms.

Ready to share? Contact Allison Boot at 937-341-5202 Ext 114 or allison.boot@acils.com. Still unsure? Check out our social links for inspiration! 🌈

11/19/2025

🎉 Exciting News! The Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is proud to announce the return of our beloved peer socials! 🌟 These events are a fantastic way to combat social isolation and build lasting community connections. After a pandemic pause, we're thrilled to bring back these gatherings, now hosted in our spacious new building.

Our first revitalized social on October 30th was a hit! Attendees enjoyed games, refreshments, and the joy of connecting with new friends. 👫 Andrew Marshall, one of our consumers, shared, “It was great to meet new people and spend time with the Access Center community.”

We're planning to host these socials quarterly, aligning with the seasons for a festive touch. 🎊 We’d love your input on future activities—whether it’s more game days, meet ups at local farmers' markets, or themed seasonal events, your feedback is essential!

“We want to hear from our community about what they want and need,” says Barbara Butler-Thomas, our Independent Living Specialist. Your ideas help us create a welcoming space where everyone feels included and valued."

Get involved and share your ideas with us! Contact Barbara at 937-341-5202 Ext 102 or email Maria Matzik at maria.matzik@acils.com. Let’s make these socials unforgettable together! 💬

11/19/2025

Hot off the presses! 📢 Check out the November 2025 edition of The Access Center's newsletter, "Enabling Access." In this issue, you’ll meet advocate Georgie Elson, discover the latest updates to STABLE accounts, get the scoop on our newly reintroduced peer socials, and so much more! After reading, don’t forget to sign up to receive future editions directly in your inbox at www.acils.com/news.

https://mailchi.mp/85ee1350aa77/enabling-access-november-2025-edition-acil-newsletter-12931355

11/19/2025

Want to help your child become a goal-setting pro? The Goal Getters workshop at The Access Center is just what they need!

Join us for a fun and interactive 2-hour session where kids will:

✅ Discover the difference between short-term and long-term goals

✅ Learn to turn big dreams into achievable steps

✅ Develop a personalized goal plan to bring home

✅ Celebrate their accomplishments in a nurturing environment

For more details, reach out to Barb Butler-Thomas at Barbara.butler@acils.com or call (937) 341-5202.

11/17/2025

Stay connected by following us on all our social media platforms!

11/17/2025

🎓 Boost Your Team’s Expertise with Hands-On Training! 🎓

Try the Access Center’s “Think This is Easy?” Training to gain practical experience in working with diverse disabilities. Enhance your skills and make a significant impact in your community. Ideal for service providers aiming to empower their team with crucial training.

For more information, reach out to our Independent Living Skills Specialists, Dylan Boot or Melody Burba, at info@acils.com or call (937) 341-5202 today!

11/14/2025

Hot off the presses! 📢 Check out the November 2025 edition of The Access Center's newsletter, "Enabling Access." In this issue, you’ll meet advocate Georgie Elson, discover the latest updates to STABLE accounts, get the scoop on our newly reintroduced peer socials, and so much more! After reading, don’t forget to sign up to receive future editions directly in your inbox at www.acils.com/news.

https://mailchi.mp/85ee1350aa77/enabling-access-november-2025-edition-acil-newsletter-12931355

Ever wanted to help make the City of Dayton a more beautiful place?  Now is your chance. Consider joining Mission of Mary Cooperative. The mission of the Mission of Mary Cooperative is to create a sustainable and resilient food system in Dayton, Ohio, by transforming vacant lots into urban gardens ...

11/14/2025

🌟 **Volunteer with the Access Center for Independent Living!** 🌟

Are you eager to make a positive impact in your community? The Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is looking for passionate volunteers ready to help. Volunteering with ACIL is a unique opportunity to empower individuals with disabilities while gaining valuable experience and connecting with like-minded people.

🔧 **Ways to Contribute:**

- **REDI Program:** Join our Recycled Equipment Donated for Independence (REDI) initiative, providing gently used medical equipment to those in need. We need volunteers to assist with donation pickups and deliveries. A truck and the ability to lift heavy items are a plus.

- **Administrative Support:** Help with office tasks like filing and researching community engagement opportunities. We’re looking for organized, detail-oriented individuals.

- **Handyman Projects:** If you enjoy fixing things, lend a hand with small projects around the office to maintain a welcoming environment.

- **Custodial Assistance:** Help keep our space safe and clean by vacuuming and cleaning restrooms.

🌟 **Benefits of Volunteering:**

- **Skill Development:** Improve your organizational or practical skills.
- **Community Engagement:** Meet new friends and build meaningful connections.
- **Personal Fulfillment:** Experience the joy and purpose of helping others.

Need school credit or community service hours? We’re happy to sign your paperwork to ensure you receive credit for your time.

📞 **Get Involved:**

Interested in volunteering? Reach out to Jeremy Caffee, Executive Director, at 937-341-5202 Ext 101 or jeremy.caffee@acils.com. Jeremy will help you find a role that matches your interests and skills.

Volunteering at ACIL is more than just time spent; it’s a meaningful way to make a real difference. Join us in supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities in Dayton and surrounding communities to achieve independence.

11/14/2025

Keep up with the latest happenings at the Access Center! Don’t forget to visit our events calendar often: https://acils.com/event-calendar/

11/10/2025

🌟 **Tell Your Tale with ACIL!** 🌟

Has the Access Center made a difference in your life by helping you secure housing, find resources, or master independent living skills? We’d love to hear your story and share it with our community!

Since 1984, ACIL has empowered thousands in Dayton and beyond, but some still don’t know we’re here to help. We’re on a mission to spread the word about our commitment to uplifting individuals with disabilities—and we need your voice! 🗣️

We’re excited to showcase your incredible stories in our newsletter and on social media. We’re rocking Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and we want you to be part of the action! 📱

If ACIL has impacted your life, reach out and share your journey with us. You’ll have full control over your narrative, and together, we can show the world how individuals with disabilities not only survive but thrive with ACIL by their side. ✨

Prefer to champion an advocacy issue? We’d love to help you amplify your cause through our platforms.

Ready to share? Contact Allison Boot at 937-341-5202 Ext 114 or allison.boot@acils.com. Not sure yet? Check out our social links and get inspired! 🌈

11/10/2025

Emergency preparedness is important for everyone, especially people with disabilities. Check out this article about the new database that is a huge step in disability-inclusive emergency response!

Keith’s Law expanded a database in Ohio, providing emergency responders with additional information that could be helpful when responding to people with disabilities.