Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP)

Included among the many internships and summer work experiences that our Youth Transistion program has developed is Edward's opportunity at ASRC at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Edward has been involved with the High School / High Tech program since last school year, and this position has allowed him to use his extensive knowledge and passion for computers and technology in a work environment. You can read more of Edward's story at the NASA website.

It is with sadness that we recognize the passing of Joyce Metheny (read notice). Joyce served on the LEAP Board for six years and was an outstanding advocate who worked actively in support of improving the lives of people with Joyce Metheny with Eugene and Jackie Thompson

Joyce Metheny with Eugene and Jackie Thompson

disabilities and their families. Throughout her 15 years of involvement with LEAP, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educate people about the need for equal rights and opportunity for people with disabilities for their right to live, work, learn, and play in a community of one's choice.

Joyce described herself as self-motivated and gently assertive. Those attributes contributed to her ability to serve her community and positively impact all of us. Joyce quietly went about making a difference through her work with LEAP, the Art Studio, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners Advisory Committee and various activities in Parma Heights including the library and the Garden Club. Joyce's ability to raise awareness, create publicity, build membership, and generate donations and contributions was a tremendous asset to all the organizations in which she was involved. We all benefited from her commitment to making the world a better place for all people.

July 2008

National Forum on Disability Issues

On Saturday July 26, the American Association of Persons with Disabilities hosted a National Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus, OH with both presidential candidates invited to speak. To read more about this event and to view the archived webcast, go to the Disaboom website.

** John McCain participated via videoconference, and Tom Harkin represented Barack Obama. Judy Woodruff of PBS moderated, and actor Robert David Hall (CSI: Las Vegas) spoke on raising the visibility of the disability community.***

In Cleveland, LEAP is one of many local organizations that helped to coordinate a public viewing of this forum at Vocational Guidance Services on E. 55th St. Local vendors and organizations were available (as well as refreshments!). Download the Cleveland flier! Deborah Nebel address the group at VGS while Jeff Moyer is playing at the event

Deborah Nebel address the group at VGS while Jeff Moyer is playing at the event

In Elyria, Creative Enrichment Centers of Ohio also hosted a public viewing where people heard what the candidates had to say about the wide and diverse issues involving people who have disabilities. Download the Elyria flier!

Actor Robert David Hall (CSI: Las Vegas) speaks to the group

Thanks to WKYC Channel 3 for simulcasting the webcast over their internet website. Reporter Dick Russ wrote a story about the Cleveland event. Read the story here.

Twelve Lincoln West High School students from LEAP’s Job Link Program are spreading a positive message for fellow youth who will view their newly painted mural on the wall inside the Hispanic Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP)Youth Center located at 3115 Scranton Road. The mural will be unveiled during a special reception on Tuesday, May 27.

The community service project is a collaboration between the Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) Job Link Program and the YouthAbility Program sponsored by the Jewish Family Service Association (JFSA) of Cleveland.

It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Jackie Thompson, a LEAP Board Member and an advocate for people with disabilities for many years. In the 1950's she was involved in the ParaProgressives, a local disability group, and she continued to be active with United Cerebral Palsy, Services for Independent Living, and many other organizations. Jackie was a member of the RTA Consumer Board during the 1980's and 90's when Paratransit was still in its infancy. Read an article from the Plain Dealer.

Take a look at the Assistive Technology Equipment Library that we were able to purchase last year through the Time-Warner Neighborhood Technology Fund. We can provide individualized assessments, training, workshops and classes on and of these pieces of assistive technology.

In December staff from LEAP’s Job Link Program attended the 2007 National Youth Development Symposium in Chicago and presented on “Meeting the Needs with Youth with Disabilities”. The conference was hosted by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) and the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC). NYEC manages PEPNet, the Promising and Effective Practices Network, and Job Link, a PEPNet Awardee, presented as part of the PEPNet track of workshops. David McKee, a graduate from LEAP’s High School/High Tech Program, also attended and participated as a Youth Presenter.

Say Aloha to Summer!

Thanks so much for all of your support and participation in our annual fundraising event!

We honored Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio Senators and Representatives, and Acxiom Information Security Services for working proactively on behalf of people who have disabilities.

After 18 years in the same location, the Attendant Training Program has moved to a larger space. Additionally, the name of this program has been changed to the Center for Personal Assistance. Personal Assistance is what a person with a disability would do for themselves if the disability were not present. STNA and home health are types of personal The group of Halloween costume winners

assistance, and we feel the new name will better reflect the entire scope of services offered at our site.

Quantum LEAP held a Halloween Dance at Hilltop Village in Euclid on October 27. About 100 consumers and caregivers came decked out in full costume with prizes going out to Ron, Al, Brandon, Ed, and Heidi (pictured here). A DJ provided music for the evening and everybody had a great time!

Thanks to Rep. Betty Sutton

On October 15, Rep. Sutton went to the house floor in support of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, and in the process mentioned LEAP's deep commitment "to empowering people with disabilities in the workplace through specialized skill development programs, at home through independent living training, in the medical system through access to the best medical care, and in so many other aspects of society." Read her full comments here.

On August 17th, the Quantum LEAP recreation program took a fishing trip on "The Holiday". Stationed in the Flats, the boat is a 60-foot charter boat and over 30 participants went up to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River towards Lake Erie to do their fishing. Captain Elliot, the participants, caregivers, and volunteers had a wonderful and fun time!

The passage of Ohio's Medicaid Buy-In Program through the state biennium budget was a landmark victory in state law. More than half of other states have this program which allows a person who receives Medicaid to earn more and to save more money before they've exceeded the programs financial eligibility standards and lose their health care coverage. LEAP was proud to play a role in its passage by providing consumer testimony and advocacy.

There was another budget issue that passed thanks in part to the advocacy efforts of LEAP. State funding for Centers for Independent Living and other related programs had been cut in the House version of the state budget, and disability advocates from LEAP and from across the state worked to restore this funding. The state budget that include the Medicaid Buy-In and CIL funding was signed into law and will go into effect July 1, 2007. Zach working his laptop at the communication department of the County Board of MR/DD

Zach working his laptop at the communication department of the County Board of MR/DD

Some summer internships were lined up for the Job Link and the High School / High Tech students. Zach (pictured here) has skills and interest in graphic design and he will intern this summer in the Public Information and Communication department of the Cuyahoga County Board of MR/DD. His duties include designing flyers and posters for various programs and events. In addition to using his current skills in Adobe PhotoShop and Publisher software applications, Zach will learn how to use Adobe PageMaker and InDesign.

Stan, another High School / High Tech student, helped the ASRC Aerospace Group this spring with updating their product database and working on their staff's internal website. Stan is planning on attending college next year to study communications.

Job Link students from Rhodes, Glenville, and Lincoln West volunteered to make dinner at the Ronald McDonald House near E. 105th and Euclid Ave. Ronald McDonald House hosts families all over the country and the world who happen to have a child in one of Cleveland's premier hospitals. There is a fee for the family to stay in the Ronald McDonald House, but volunteers like our Job Link students help to keep the costs down. Read more...

LEAP was proud to partner with the Center for Mental Retardation (CMR) in coordinating a visit to the Legislative Rally sponsored by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Northeast Ohio constituents met with their state legislators to discuss issues involving people who have disabilities. Read more...

Our Job Link program succeeded in acquiring one job placement and one internship. A position was developed for Chris at Cleveland's Veterans' Administration Medical Center (read more about Chris), and David acquired an internship involving computer and technical support for the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (read more about David). We are pleased with the successes of these two students.

Thanks to all who participated and helped to support LEAP Item image

through our 25th Anniversary Art Online Auction. In honor of LEAP's 25th Anniversary, we were pleased to have Honorary Chairman Sam Rutigliano and ARTcetra™ join us on September 15, 2006 for an art auction presented by Regency Fine Art of Atlanta, Georgia. Read more...

LEAP's Assistive Technology Lab is located at our W. 25th location and features computers that will have speech recognition, low vision software, and alternative keyboards and mice;
Quantum LEAP, a recreation program providing evening and weekend recreation opportunities to persons with developmental disabilities. Classes and activities are held at various East side locations.
LEAP was designated as one of four Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Centers for Public Policy.