The Ability Center

08/16/2025

Stop by Doodle Bean Coffee today for their 5th Anniversary! They are celebrating by donating 100% of proceeds from every bag of their “Puppy Love” (Snickerdoodle flavored) coffee to support our mission. 💛

📍 13115 Angola Rd, Swanton, OH 43558
⏰ Open 10am to 5pm today

We are so grateful for their generosity. Pick up a bag and support local. 🙌 Hope to see you all!

08/15/2025

Yesterday was a beautiful celebration for Sylvania's very first inclusive, accessible community playground! A big congratulations to the Stranahan Elementary Parent Teacher Association on their ribbon-cutting and grand opening. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of the journey to making this space a reality. 💛

We hope you’ll visit and experience it for yourself! The playground is open to the public whenever school is not in session.

08/15/2025

Check out our upcoming events from Monday, August 18 to Sunday, August 24!

🧘‍♀️ Thursday, August 21: Yoga with Jenn at the Ability Center @ 6PM (Ages 23+)
🛝 Friday, August 22: Playgroup and Parent Talk at Rotary Park @ 10AM (all ages, with parents/caregivers)
♠ Friday, August 22: Adult Game Night at Toledo Pickle @ 6PM (Ages 23+)
🎨 Saturday, August 23: Parents Night Out - Paint and Sip @ 6PM

Learn more and register HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/events

08/11/2025

Perrigrine (Perri) is a single mother of three living with cerebral palsy. Like many young parents, her life centers around her children—she co-captains her daughter’s cheerleading team and regularly volunteers at school events. Community members describe her as “faithful, hardworking, dedicated, and respectful,” with a strong commitment to both parenting and service. What sets Perri apart is her determination to break down barriers related to her disability.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and chronic pain after the birth of her third child, Perri made the tough decision to leave a successful career in retail management. “I realized there were few effective treatments for chronic pain in adults with childhood-onset disabilities,” she explains.

She soon enrolled in the PharmD Program at the University of Toledo, driven by her academic strengths and passion for helping others. University staff praise her self-advocacy, curiosity, and determination. A referral from UT’s Disability Services connected her to The Ability Center, where she received support to make her home more accessible.

In conclusion Perri states, "Everyone I’ve met has been kind, knowledgeable, and supportive. I hope to give back through The Ability Center the way they’ve supported me and my family.”

You can learn more about our Home Accessibility Program HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/home-accessibility/

08/08/2025

Check out our upcoming events from Monday, August 11 to Sunday, August 17!

🎵 Monday, August 11: Musically Me at the Ability Center @ 10:15AM (Designed for Younger Children Along with a Caregiver)
☕ Monday, August 11: Club Connect: Queen Bee and Honey @ 1PM
🎨 Monday, August 11: Stroke Survivor Meet-Up: Paint and Sip at the Ability Center @ 5PM
🎈 Tuesday, August 12: Rage Art 2.0 at the Ability Center @ 5:30PM (Ages 13–22) (Stress relief activities!)
🥤 Saturday, August 16: Cup Stacking Clinic at the Ability Center @ 11am (All Ages)

Learn more and register HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/events

08/06/2025

We’re proud to celebrate International Assistance Dog Week and the thousands of lives that are transformed by our Assistance Dogs program each year!

Thank you to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities for highlighting our Assistance Dogs program and helping us celebrate all the good our dogs do for the community.

You can read the full article HERE:

The Ability Center serves people with disabilities across 13 counties in Northwest Ohio. Since its founding in 1920, the organization has evolved to meet changing community needs, promoting inclusion, accessibility, and independence. Among its initiatives, the Assistance Dogs program builds

08/05/2025

Puppies are coming to The Ability Center soon and we're looking for puppy raisers! 🐶

A litter of puppies training to be service dogs will need a place to call home when they are away from work.

We cover all the costs of raising a puppy or fostering a dog, provide you with the kennels, the food, cover vet bills, provide basic toys and blankets, and everything else you need to get started with your puppy. We break down training and make it as easy as possible. ✅

As a volunteer foster, you’ll:
-Provide a structured, loving home
-Attend weekly training classes with your pup
-Teach basic household manners

You can sign-up to volunteer HERE: abilitycenter.org/volunteering

08/04/2025

We're so proud of our Assistance Dog, Norene! In the last year, Norene has spent time helping comfort victims of crime at the Wood County Prosecutor's Office.

Thank you BG Independent News for sharing the impact of our Assistance Dogs program.

Read the article by clicking the link 👇
bgindependentmedia.org/for-a-year-now-norene-has-been-giving-comfort-and-courage-to-victims-of-crime/

Want to learn more about our program? Visit abilitycenter.org/assistance-dogs

For a year now Norene has been giving comfort and courage to victims of crime TOPICS:courthouse dogNorieWood County Prosecutor's Office Victims' advocate Becca Von Sacken rewards Norie for job well done in Judge Matt Reger's courtroom. Posted By: Jan Larson McLaughlin July 30, 2025 By JAN McLAUGHLIN...

08/01/2025

Check out our upcoming events from Monday, August 4 to Sunday, August 10!

🎲 Tuesday, August 5: Teen Game Night at The Ability Center @ 5:30PM (Ages 13–22)
📚 Thursday, August 7: Inclusive Storytime at King Rd Library @ 10AM
💻 Thursday, August 7: Access Network Lunch & Learn (Virtual) – Best Practices for Onboarding and Disability @ 12PM
🧺 Saturday, August 9: Adulting 101: Independent Living Life Skills at Wood County Tech House @ 10AM (Ages 13–22 / Ages 22 and up*)

Learn more and register HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/events

07/29/2025

Tim Berta, a Sylvania local and Bluffton crash survivor, is a true inspiration to everyone he meets. In addition to earning his Master’s degree from Lourdes University and being a motivational speaker, Tim can now add “author” to his list of accomplishments.

If you're unfamiliar with Tim’s incredible story, be sure to watch his Authentic Author video below. His testimony and spirit truly embody the heart of The Ability Center's mission.

To learn more about his journey, which is a story of making a choice and sticking with it no matter the cost, you can purchase his powerful memoir, "Fielder’s Choice", HERE: https://bit.ly/FieldersChoice

Bluffton baseball crash survivor – from 'never' to 'now.' Tim Berta, inspirational assistant baseball coach, motivational speaker, and master's degree holder...

07/28/2025

Our Advocacy Department works to ensure that people with disabilities have the right to live in an inclusive community of their choosing. This year, the department is focusing on employment as part of those efforts. The third session of our Access Network Lunch and Learn, taking place on Thursday, August 7, will highlight how to create accessible and inclusive onboarding experiences in the workplace.

We’re thrilled to feature Megan Naves, M.A., CRC, Career and Credential Consultant at Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) as one of our keynote speakers. Megan brings over six years of experience in disability employment and a strong background in recreational therapy and speech-language pathology. At OOD, she plays a vital role in connecting individuals with disabilities to training and credentialing programs that lead to in-demand careers, while also helping employers hire, train, and retain qualified talent.

Don’t miss this chance to learn how accessible onboarding practices can drive lasting impact. You can learn more and register HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/event/access-network-lunch-learn-best-practices-for-onboarding-and-disability/

07/25/2025

Check out our upcoming events from Monday, July 28 to Sunday, August 3!

🍦 Tuesday, July 28: Club Connect at Mr. Freeze in Perrysburg (Ages 13-22)
🛶 Wednesday, July 29: Kayak Adventure at Blue Creek Metropark (1st session: Ages 1st-8th grade) (2nd session: 23 and up)
🏓 Wednesday, July 30: Teen Pickleball Club at Toledo Pickle Company (Ages 13-22)
💸 Thursday, July 31: Adulting 101: Financial Dodgeball with UT Finance at ACT

Learn more and register HERE: https://abilitycenter.org/events