Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council

Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council OSILC promotes the full access & independence of people with disabilities in their chosen community.

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was established in 1992 by amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and is a statutory requirement under Federal laws. The Ohio SILC is designed to maintain independence and not exist within any state agency, to ensure autonomy of the Independent Living (IL) Program in Ohio. The Ohio SILC’s is responsible for the development, implementation

, and monitoring of the State Plan for Independent Living, a three-year strategic plan for Ohio to work towards goals of greater access, inclusion and independence; coordinating activities with other entities that provide services similar or complementary to Independent Living Services; assisting to develop the network of Centers for Independent Living; and conduct regular meetings of the Council that are open to the public. We achieve our goals in working with the 12 Centers for Independent Living, working with state agencies in Ohio, and educating the community. Our role is not to provide direct services to individuals, but to help advance and develop Independent Living and the disability community in Ohio. The Ohio SILC is committed to promoting a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy, in order to maximize leadership, empowerment, independence, productivity and to support full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society. The Council operates with 19 Governor-appointed members from different parts of Ohio that represent a range of disabilities and to ensure we can respond to the needs and concerns of the over 1.6 Million people with disabilities in Ohio. More than half of our members must be individuals with significant disabilities. Of those 19 Members, one is selected by the Centers for Independent Living to represent the CILs, and five are employees from state agencies that work with individuals with disabilities.

June 23 is International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day.Join the Purple Drives Progress campaign: wear purple, light it u...
06/23/2026

June 23 is International Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day.

Join the Purple Drives Progress campaign: wear purple, light it up, create, share, and inspire others to take action.

Every purple action raises awareness, supports families, and fuels research.

Dravet Syndrome Foundation

This week marks the 27th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C.  The Olmstead v. L.C. decision is a landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme ...
06/22/2026

This week marks the 27th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C. The Olmstead v. L.C. decision is a landmark 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling about the rights of people with disabilities.

In simple terms, the Court said that unnecessarily keeping people with disabilities in institutions can be a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Instead, when appropriate and when services can be provided safely, individuals have the right to receive care and support in community-based settings.

The case became a foundation for disability rights policy in the U.S. It helped shift systems away from institutional care and toward:
🔹Community living options
🔹Independent living supports
🔹Inclusion in everyday community life

Learn more -

print friendly Olmstead v. LC: History and Current Status The Olmstead Supreme Court Decision in a Nutshell Olmstead, or Olmstead v. LC, is the name of the most important civil rights decision for people with disabilities in our country's history. This 1999 United States Supreme Court decision was ...

Curious about accessibility terminology?Accessible Ohio's Accessibility Alphabet is a comprehensive resource that explai...
06/20/2026

Curious about accessibility terminology?

Accessible Ohio's Accessibility Alphabet is a comprehensive resource that explains key terms related to accessibility, reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, and disability inclusion. Each definition includes links to helpful resources from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

Whether you're an employer, service provider, advocate, or community member, the Accessibility Alphabet is a valuable tool for expanding your understanding of accessibility and inclusion.

Get up to speed on disability accessibility terminology with this list of definitions and resources.

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in G...
06/19/2026

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free under General Order No. 3. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier, freedom was not enforced in Texas until Union troops arrived.

Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States, celebrates freedom and resilience, and reminds us of the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Project SEARCH is making a real difference for young adults with disabilities through hands-on, career-focused internshi...
06/18/2026

Project SEARCH is making a real difference for young adults with disabilities through hands-on, career-focused internships and strong community partnerships.

This collaborative program brings together employers, schools, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Developmental Disability organizations, and supported employment agencies to help participants build skills and transition into meaningful work.

Participants gain real-world experience in integrated workplace settings while developing individualized employment plans aligned with local job opportunities. The goal is competitive, integrated employment with ongoing support to ensure long-term success.

With strong outcomes and dedicated partnerships, Project SEARCH continues to open doors to independence, inclusion, and career growth.

Learn more and find Ohio locations:

Project SEARCH is a groundbreaking program that challenges traditional expectations and empowers young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve competitive employment.

06/17/2026

Join Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for a look back at key moments in disability rights history.

Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Thu, Jul 16, 2026 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Organizer: The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, [email protected]

Turning Points: The Disability Rights Movement will explore major milestones in the disability rights movement, honor the pioneers who led the way, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward inclusion and community living.

This session also marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and highlights the continued push from isolation to inclusion.

Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/39vvccc

The Ohio State University to create center dedicated to aging adults
06/16/2026

The Ohio State University to create center dedicated to aging adults

The state of Ohio has among the fastest aging population in the U.S., which is increasing demands for effective treatments.

Ohio’s Community Health Centers (CHCs), also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), provide essential heal...
06/15/2026

Ohio’s Community Health Centers (CHCs), also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), provide essential healthcare services to communities across the state. With 60 health centers operating more than 600 locations in 76 of Ohio’s 88 counties, these centers serve as a critical healthcare safety net for individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to care.

For many Ohio communities, Community Health Centers are the only accessible source of healthcare for Medicaid patients and uninsured residents. By delivering high-quality, cost-effective care, they help improve health outcomes while reducing disparities in access to essential medical services.

Locally conceived, governed, and operated, Ohio’s Community Health Centers are deeply connected to the communities they serve. Their patient-centered approach ensures that healthcare remains responsive to local needs, making them a cornerstone of Ohio’s healthcare system and a vital resource for building healthier communities statewide.

Learn more: https://www.ohiochc.org/page/244

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Have questions about ABLE accounts? Get answers from the experts!Join ABLE National Resource Center  for Beyond the Basi...
06/14/2026

Have questions about ABLE accounts? Get answers from the experts!

Join ABLE National Resource Center for Beyond the Basics: Live ABLE Q&A with the Experts on June 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. This interactive webinar will address real-world questions from individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and supporters.

Following overwhelming interest in their April "Ask the Experts" session, this webinar will dive deeper into advanced ABLE topics, including saving strategies, investing, and long-term financial planning for current and future ABLE account owners.

📅 Date: June 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time

Bring your questions and learn how to make the most of your ABLE account!



ABLE NRC is hosting another live, interactive webinar focused on answering real-world ABLE account questions from individuals, families, professionals and supporters. During our April 2026 “Ask the Experts” webinar, we received more than 200 questions through registration submissions, post-webin...

Address

670 Morrison Road, Ste 200
Gahanna, OH
43230

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16148920390

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council:

Share