Whether you’re looking for clubs, activities, training, or community resources, our community is full of opportunity! To help you get started, we’ve gathered a variety of options. These examples represent just a small portion of what Northeast Ohio offers, but they can inspire new ideas and help you or a loved one connect with meaningful opportunities and support. Check out some of the ideas below.

Disclaimer

These resources are shared for informational purposes only and represent just a sample of what may be available in the community. Unless clearly noted, Summit DD does not facilitate, sponsor, or endorse the organizations or activities listed below. Some resources may include a cost or fee. Summit DD is not responsible for costs, content, availability, or services provided by these organizations. If you need assistance identifying possible financial supports, please contact your RSS or SSA to explore available options. (Listings appear in no specific order.)    

Children & Equipment for Young Children

• Equipment for Children

  • Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) program in Summit County
  • Toy & Resource Center
  • The Bark Watch
  • Ideas to create a sensory room for your child at home
  • Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) Lending Library
  • Akron-Summit County Library of Things
  • North Canton Library of Things
  • Stow-Monroe Falls Library of Things
  • Cuyahoga Falls Library of Things
  • Special Needs Car Seats & Seatbelt Guards
  • Free Car Seats (Akron Children’s)

Community & Social Life

• Community Activities, Playgroups, Sports and Programs

  • Social Skills Groups Teens by Jay Berl Ph.D
  • Akron-Summit Library social events for teens
  • Akron-Summit Library social events for adults
  • WeThriveTogether: Free virtual programming for any age
  • Aspies.org Adult events
  • First Christian Disability Ministry Events
  • Akron-Summit County Library of Things event passes
  • North Canton Library Adventure Passes
  • Stow-Monroe Falls Library adventure passes
  • Cuyahoga Falls Library Adventure Passes
  • The Treehouse Playgroups for children
  • The Positivity Spectrum: Adapted Events
  • Achievement Centers: Adaptive sports programs for 6+
  • Summit DD’s Emerging Leaders Program
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron Adapted Community Events
  • All About Oz adult social events
  • Rec2Connect
  • 4H Club
  • Challenger Baseball
  • CCC Ability Inclusion Events (social events weekly)
  • Faithful Friends Ministry

Daily & Independent Living

• Independent Living and Home Health Care

  • NAMI Summit County Programs

• Transportation

  • METRO ADA
  • Summit County DJFS Non-Emergency Transportation
  • Hopkins flight school – Hopkins Flight School offers a free, sensory-friendly pre-flight simulation that lets guests practice check-in, TSA screening, and boarding—all without leaving the gate. Designed to build confidence in a calm, supportive setting, participants also receive a complimentary Sensory Bag to make travel more comfortable.
  • Goodwill bus pass application

• Service Animals

  • Ability Center Assistance Dogs

• Employment and Volunteering

  • Cypress Resume Builder
  • Workforce Pathways for Students with Disabilities:  Video series explores resources and opportunities available for Ohio students with disabilities to help jumpstart their careers.
  • Library works with Ohio Means Jobs schedule time to assist with resumes, interviews, and other employment or job search skills.
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

• Assistive Technology

  • Library Sensory/Accessibility items to check out
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)
  • Weaver Chat Free AAC app
  • AVA: transcribing voice to text for a person with a hearing impairment
  • LetMeDoIt: Our supported decision-making platform
  • Roll Mobility: Find accessible spots nearby or explore cities before you visit
  • Amira: Reading solution to support growth
  • Simon Technology Center: Assistive Tech videos
  • Google Translator
  • Read text

Education & Development

• Education and Tutoring

  • OCALI Literacy Resources
  • IEP Self Advocacy Resources
  • Educational and Sensory Kits/ Toys Library
  • STEM Kits
  • Online Tutoring
  • North Coast Education Services Tutoring
  • Learning Aid Ohio Tutoring
  • Adult Literacy Ohio
  • AI Reading Tutor program
  • OOD Ohio College2Careers Toolkit
  • Disability Support Services Stark State College

• Trainings, Activities, Classes and Webinars

  • Free online cooking classes
  • Gigi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
  • Greenleaf Family Center
  • Harkla Videos: Parenting & Child Development Tips
  • Accessible Ohio: Online Accessibility Training from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

• Transition Age Youth Supports

  • Autism Strategies in Action: Transition Age
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities- Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • OCALI Lifespan Transitions Center
  • Workforce Pathways for Students with Disabilities:  Video series explores resources and opportunities available for Ohio students with disabilities to help jumpstart their careers.

• Social Stories

  • Pictello Visual Stories

Family & Caregiver Support

• Parent Support and Education

  • A Better U: therapies and classes
  • Mother 2 Mother: Empowering Caregivers of All Abilities
  • Ohio Family 2 Family: assisting families of children and youth with special health care needs
  • Friendship Circle Family Supports

• Advocacy, Mentors and Networking Groups

  • The ARC
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron
  • People First of Ohio
  • Self-Advocacy for Teens
  • Greenleaf Family Center
  • Disability Rights Ohio (DRO)
  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Advocacy resources
  • Autism Speaks
  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Networking groups
  • The Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio (DSANEO)
  • DSANEO’s Pathways for Pops
  • Parent Mentor Project
  • Universal Changing Table Map
  • ASPIES Greater Akron Parent Support Group
  • Connecting for Kids
  • DeafBlind Ohioans Community Action Network (DBOCAN)
  • The National Federation of the Blind – Ohio Chapter

• Youth Summer Camps

  • Akron Rotary Camp
  • YMCA Camps
  • Tree House Berea Clubs and Camps
  • Beyond Healthcare Camps and Activities for Kids
  • UofA Basketball Camps and Clinics
  • State Team 8 Summer Camp Info
  • CFK Inclusive Summer Guide
  • Foundations Equestrian Summer Camps
  • Loud and Clear Music School Summer Camps
  • World Elite Summer Camps
  • Tri-C Summer Camps
  • School of Rock Music Camps
  • Adrenaline Monkey Camps
  • Beyond Words Center Camps
  • Akron Zoo Camp
  • Camp Christopher
  • Bike Camp
  • Star Camp

• Autism Specific

  • Avenues for Autism Navigation Guide
  • ASPIES.org
  • Milestones Autism Resources
  • Autism Society of Greater Akron
  • Autism Speaks
  • Autism center in Brunswick and Cleveland
  • Guide for Children with Autism
  • Guide for Adults with Autism
  • Toilet Training Tool Kit
  • Autism Testing
  • Hopebridge Autism Testing
  • Autism Strategies in Action: Transition Age

• Deaf Blind Specific

  • DeafBlind Ohioans Community Action Network (DBOCAN)
  • The National Federation of the Blind – Ohio Chapter

• Aging Caregivers

  • ARC’s Center for Future Planning

• Respite

  • CareSource Respite Care
  • Akron Rotary Camp
  • Child & Family Health Collaborative of Ohio Respite Care

Financial Resources

• Alternative Funding, Scholarships, and Grants

  • Grants for Ohio Residents with disabilities
  • UHCCF medical grant
  • Grants for Recreational Activities, Home Modification, etc.
  • Mike’s Kids Grant Application
  • ASDF Summer Scholarship Program
  • North Coast Education Services Scholarships

• Food Assistance

  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
  • United Way (2-1-1) food pantries listing

• Financial Assistance

  • OhioKAN: Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy
  • Summit County FCFC Flexible Funding
  • OhioRISE Flex Funds
  • YMCA Financial Assistance Application
  • Ohio Legal Help: Social Security Disability Programs
  • ARC’s Center for Future Planning
  • Zane’s Inc
  • 2-1-1 United Way (Housing, Utilities and Food Assistance)

Health, Safety & Wellness

• Dental and Medical Services

  • Stark State Dental Hygiene clinic
  • Ohio Kids Dental
  • Cleveland Children’s Surgery Center (takes patients with special needs up to age 62)
  • UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital — The Irving and Jeanne Tapper Dental Center
  • Jennifer Bryk Hechko, DDS, MS, FAAPD
  • Valley Dental Group

• Medical Equipment / DME Supplies

  • Youth Diapers

• Counseling, Behavioral Health and Therapy

  • Rec2Connect Recreation Therapy
  • Greenleaf Family Center
  • Beyond Healthcare Therapy Services
  • NAMI Summit County Programs
  • Ohio Rise
  • Total Education Solutions (ABA)
  • LLA Therapy (ABA)
  • On Target ABA
  • Hope Bridge (ABA)
  • Kadiant (ABA)
  • Sparkjoy (ABA)
  • Therapy and Wellness (ABA)
  • Pivotal Therapy (ABA)

• Dementia

  • Alzheimer’s Association AlzNavigator
  • Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
  • Benjamin Rose dementia resources

• Hearing Impairment and Visual Impairment

  • One Court: The first tactile sports broadcast

• Elopement

  • NAA’s Free Big Red Safety Box
  • Take Me Home Program

• Addiction

  • ADM Board
  • Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction
  • ARC Recovery Services

• Communication Support and Safety

  • Keith’s Law
  • Blue Envelope Program

• Victim Assistance and Survivor Resources

  • Victim Assistance Program
  • Hope and Healing Survivor Resources

Legal & Advocacy Services

• Legal Services

  • Trusts and ABLE accounts
  • ARC’s Center for Future Planning
  • Community Legal Aid
  • The Positivity Spectrum Legal Clinic

Do you have a resource suggestion to add to the list?

Please submit your suggestion (with a link to the resource’s website) to PR@SummitDD.org for consideration.