Western Reserve Independent Living Center

10/07/2026

Alt text: “WRILC Office Update graphic with blue and green colors. The WRILC logo appears at the top left. The heading reads ‘WRILC OFFICE UPDATE.’ Below, white text on a blue background explains that the office is experiencing phone issues for the next week or two and thanks people for their patience. It lists contact options: Facebook Messenger, email [email protected], and staff email addresses and cell phone numbers available on the Contact Us page at wrilc.org/about-us.aspx.”

10/06/2026

We are looking for board members! If you are a person with a disability who wants to get involved with the community, now is your chance to help guide the vision of our organization.

If you are interested or know someone who is interested, fill out the application at the bottom of the page linked below and email a completed form to [email protected].

Independent Living is about freedom of choice. It is about being included. It celebrates people with disabilities living a quality life.

10/02/2026

Today is Day 2 of Week Without Driving, and we’re highlighting the simplest form of transportation: walking.

For many disabled people, walking isn’t always easy, safe, or possible — and that’s exactly why this week matters. Accessible communities benefit everyone. When sidewalks are missing, crossings are unsafe, or destinations are too far apart, people with disabilities lose independence and choice.

Today’s challenge invites you to notice what walking feels like in your neighborhood.
Is it safe? Is it connected? Is it accessible?
Could someone using a mobility aid, cane, stroller, or service animal navigate it comfortably?

If your area isn’t walkable, try visiting a shopping center and see how many errands you can do without getting back in the car. It’s a great way to imagine what true walkability and access could look like for all of us.

10/01/2026

Week Without Driving 2026 – Let’s Talk About It
Today kicks off Week Without Driving, a national challenge that shines a light on what life is like for nondrivers. Nearly 1 in 3 people in the U.S. cannot drive because of age, disability, income, or other factors. For many, transportation barriers shape everyday life — getting to work, appointments, groceries, community events, or simply staying connected.

This week is about visibility, understanding, and engagement. It’s a chance for drivers, leaders, and community members to experience the challenges nondrivers face every day and reflect on what accessible transportation really means.

If you’re taking part, think about what this week brings up for you.
What feels like the biggest challenge?
What feels surprisingly easy?
What did you notice about your routine when driving wasn’t an option?

Choosing another way to get around — walking, rolling, bicycling, riding transit, or asking for a ride — helps build empathy and awareness. Every experience shared helps push for safer streets, better transit, and stronger community support.

Learn more: weekwithoutdriving.org

Share in the comments below: What would be your biggest challenge if you participated and put down your keys for a week?

09/30/2026

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
2026 Theme: Celebrating Value and Talent

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time to recognize the value, talent, and contributions of disabled workers in every community. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” honors the skills, creativity, and leadership people with disabilities bring to workplaces across the country.

At WRILC, we believe in employment that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in real choice. Disabled workers strengthen our communities, our local economy, and our future. This month is a reminder that true inclusion means listening to disabled voices, removing barriers, and making sure opportunities are open to everyone.

💙💛 Employment. Access. Opportunity. Inclusion.
Let’s celebrate the talent in our communities — and keep pushing for workplaces where disabled people are valued, supported, and heard.

09/25/2026

💛 Happy Dolly Parton Appreciation Day! 💛
Today, 9/25, we’re celebrating Dolly Parton’s incredible legacy — a legacy built on kindness, inclusion, and lifting people up.

Dolly has always used her voice and her platform to make the world better. At Dollywood, she championed inclusive employment, creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and showing what welcoming, accessible workplaces can look like. Her philanthropy — from literacy programs to community support — continues to open doors for people of all ages and abilities.

At WRILC, we honor Dolly’s spirit by working every day to build communities where everyone can live, work, and participate fully.

Let’s have some fun and spread a little joy. Share your favorite Dolly Parton song or moment or tell us how you’re celebrating Dolly Parton Day in the comments.

New York City has declared today, 9-25, as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day! This much-deserved recognition celebrates Dolly’s incredible spirit and wonderful commitment to philanthropy. She was a strong advocate for inclusive employment, and employed many Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at her theme park, Dollywood. May her amazing legacy live on, and may we all work together to ensure continuous inclusion for all!

09/25/2026

🗳 Did you know?
Every Election Day, Disability Rights Ohio runs a Voter Hotline from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. — the entire time the polls are open.

The November general election is just 6 weeks away, so now is the perfect time to make your voting plan.
Find accessible voting information, rights, and resources at: disabilityrightsohio.org/vote

DID YOU KNOW?

Every Election Day, Disability Rights Ohio operates a Voter Hotline from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.... the entire time the polls are open!

The November general election is just 7 weeks away, and now is the time to make your voting plan. You can find all our election resources at disabilityrightsohio.org/vote

09/23/2026

Accessibility shouldn't be a suggestion — it should be a requirement. Partial access, conditional access, or “access with help” is NOT access. Disabled people deserve spaces that are fully, intentionally, and authentically accessible. Our community shouldn't have to settle for less.

🩷💚🧡👩‍🦼🧡💙💜

Image description: an accessibility-related infographic with a lined note paper background. There are five lines/points related to accessibility. From the top:

The first line contains a minimalist image of a manual wheelchair user with different shades of pink. Pink text to the right of them reads, ““It’s accessible once you get up the stairs” is not accessible.”

The second line contains a minimalist image of a manual wheelchair user with different shades of green. Green text to the right of them reads, ““It’s accessible if you have someone to help you” is not accessible.”

The third line contains a minimalist image of a manual wheelchair user with different shades of orange. Orange text to the right of them reads, ““It’s accessible if you can leave your mobility aid behind” is not accessible.”

The fourth line contains a minimalist image of a manual wheelchair user with different shades of blue. Blue text to the right of them reads, ““It’s accessible, but you can’t access the restroom” is not accessible.”

The fifth line contains a minimalist image of a manual wheelchair user with different shades of purple. Purple text to the right of them reads, ““It’s accessible just because we call it accessible” is not accessible.”

Centered at the bottom of the image is the handle “” in light pink text.

09/10/2026

Come check out this awesome event!
It Suits You is around the corner! 👔✨ Hear from Bonnie Wilson of the Family & Children First Council of Trumbull County as she shares what makes It Suits You so special—and gives us a look at some of the donated clothing ready to find a new home this Saturday!
This event helps local high school students find FREE dress clothing for important moments like homecoming, prom, graduation, and more. But it’s about more than the clothes—it’s about helping young people feel confident, prepared, and supported as they step into those moments. 💙
We’re so grateful to this event's partners, St. Vincent de Paul Trumbull County Ohio and Cadence Care Network ’s Transitional Age Youth Group, along with the many community members who donated and continue to make this event possible. And a huge thank-you to all of our amazing volunteers who help bring it to life every time! 🙌
📅 This Saturday, September 12
⏰ 1–4 PM
📍 TMHA Building | 4076 Youngstown Rd. SE, Warren
High school students of Northeast Ohio, come on in and find something that suits you! 👔✨

09/08/2026

To anyone who relies on Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to live or if you have someone in your life who does...

Now is the time to raise concern. Call your leaders (Congressperson, Senator, State Reps, State Senators) and demand they fight for us. Remind them that we are paying attention and disabled people, regardless of 'how disabled they are', have EVERY RIGHT TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. full stop. The federal government is positioning itself to ignore an idea that's kept so many of us out of institutions simply because they don't see the need for us in public life and certainly don't feel the need to spend the money (source: june 18 DOJ/OLC memo on application of Rehab Act & Olmstead). The recent actions by the DOJ to now remove any mention of living in the most integrated setting spit in the face of the Independent Living Movement. We won't go back.

"it’s dangerous because rights mean less when the federal government refuses to enforce them. This resolution seeks to undermine protections people with disabilities have from being pushed into institutions when they can and want to live in the community.”

The federal government is switching sides in a closely watched disability rights case and is now seeking to do away with rules requiring that people with disabilities be served in the community.