The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change -- politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

AAPD was launched on July 25, 1995, and has received its 501(c)(3) designation. Key subcommittees of AAPD were developed to focus on three targeted agendas: Membership and Benefits, Policy and Operations.

The Web site includes a comprehensive list of resources for people with all manners of disabilities.

The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation is the program that provides individuals with disabilities the services and support necessary to help them attain and maintain employment. Disabilities may include either physical, intellectual, mental health, or sensory disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services are customized for each individual through assessments and one-on-one meetings with professional VR counselors.

CORE is a not for profit corporation committed to providing, promoting, and accessing services so that individuals with developmental disabilities actively participate in all aspects of the community.

While optimum residential and employment supports are the primary focus of CORE and ENCORE, a wide range of contract services are also available to individuals, their families, other providers and community members.

These include:

• Medicaid Waiver Services
• In-Home Respite Services
• Training Programs
• Billing Services
• Management Audits/Customized Consulting Services
• Estate Planning

CORE is primarily Medicaid funded. Other funding sources include state and county supported-living funds, private payments, and charitable contributions.

CORE is certified and regulated by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities; by the Indiana Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitation; and by other state and local entities specific to each community. CORE complies with reporting requirements of the Health Care Finance Administration. CORE participates in monitoring of its residences by the ARC, a national advocacy agency and county boards of MR/DD. As well, CORE's financial position is reviewed annually by county boards and independent certified public accounting firm.

Disability.gov is the federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations. You can find answers to questions about everything from Social Security to employment to affordable and accessible housing.

Discover simplicity at Independent You, Cincinnati`s first special needs clothing and accessories store. We carry an extensive line of living enhancements for seniors, people with disability, and others seeking to ease their lifestyle. Be it wash-and-wear or adaptive clothing, handy aids for daily tasks, or a thoughtful gift, Independent You has it all under one roof.

No longer feel disappointment and regret when you open your special needs order from a catalog or medical supplier. At Independent You, we have the merchandise on hand, along with the personal service and attention you deserve.

We offer a full range of selections that promote independence and confidence. Independent You is owned and operated by two experienced, former health care social workers. We know first hand how difficult it is to find quality special needs items, so we`re eager to assist in every possible way. If you live in the Cincinnati area, do stop in. And if not, browse and shop through our online shop, or email us to find what your looking for. We`ll be glad to ship any order large or small, to your neck of the woods. We`re sure you`ll like what you see...!

Premier Laundry Service

Orders weighing 15 lbs. or less – $40.00 flat rate

Orders weighing 16 lbs. or more – $2.69 per pound. Garment Finishing Services (available with our Premiere Laundry Service)

For any garment that requires a higher level of finish, the following services are available:

Executive shirt and pant pressing service – $2.59 per garment

Hand ironing, shirt or pant – $4.59 per garment

Garment Steaming – $0.64 per minute. Shirt and Pant Service by the Garment

Wash, dry, and machine press washable shirt or pants – $4.19 per garment

Wash, dry, and hand iron washable shirt or pant – $5.49 per garment.

Non-standard Items

Non-standard items that require extra care will be charged separately as follows:

Bed Comforters:

Twin: $15

Full: $20

Queen: $25

King: $30

About the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress provides free recorded and brailled books to eligible adults and children. The Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, located in Cleveland, Ohio at the Cleveland Public Library, provides information and applications to all Ohio residents.

Toward Independence, Inc. (TII) is a nonprofit agency that provides a full range of services and support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to live the fullest life possible by providing individualized services in a variety of community settings. Founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated parents and professionals, our agency has assisted over 180 individuals in fulfilling their personal needs, choices, hopes and dreams during our years of operation. It is our enduring goal to honor the worth and dignity of each individual we serve. With offices in Cincinnati and Xenia, Ohio, we currently serve over 160 individuals in Greene, Hamilton, and Montgomery Counties.