SOCIL-Ohio

09/15/2026

Travel Tip from SOCIL!

Flying with a disability often takes some extra preparation. One of SOCIL’s staff members, Brian, places a sign on the back of his wheelchair when flying that says: “This wheelchair is my legs. Please take care of it.”

Before turning his wheelchair over to the airline, Brian takes pictures of it from several angles. If the chair is damaged during the flight, those photos can help document its condition before it was handled by the airline.

He also removes anything from the wheelchair that can easily be damaged or lost and carries it onto the plane. This includes his seat cushion, side guards, and SmartDrive. These pieces of equipment are important, expensive, and sometimes difficult to replace quickly.

Brian also puts a medical equipment tag on his suitcase because he travels with medical supplies and equipment. The bag is often overweight because of those supplies. Many airlines have policies allowing medically necessary equipment and supplies to travel without the usual baggage or overweight fees, so travelers should check their airline’s specific policy before flying.

For someone who uses a wheelchair, their chair isn’t simply another piece of luggage. It’s their mobility, independence, and freedom.

09/14/2026

For anyone trying to keep up with the fast-changing world of disability advocacy and legislation, I highly recommend Steve Way's Substack. He is a disabled advocate and understands the importance of everything he covers in his posts.

Disability, healthcare, and the machinery underneath both. Click to read Steve Way's Substack, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

09/09/2026

Image description: SOCIL employees, Jeff and Alex accept a donation check from Buckeye Toyota Thank you very much!

At Buckeye Toyota, we are committed to supporting our community.

General Manager at Buckeye Toyota, Rich Newsome, proudly presents a Buckeye Cares donation to Jeff Williams and Alex Mathews at SOCIL-Ohio, Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living. We’re making a powerful impact in our community—because when you choose Buckeye, you choose to make a difference. Shop local. Support local. Drive Buckeye.

09/09/2026

There’s more than one way to get things done!

Jacob shows how he pumps gas from his power chair, and Brian shares his own technique from a manual wheelchair while making sure to save those shoulders!

Independent living isn’t always about doing everything the same way. It’s about finding what works best for YOU.

Check out the video to see Brian’s technique! 😂

09/09/2026

🏉💥 ARE YOU READY FOR SOME WHEELCHAIR RUGBY? 💥🏉

This year marks the 20th Annual Battle the Blitz! 🎉

Come join the Buckeye Blitz for an exciting day of Wheelchair Rugby! Whether you want to get in the game, put together a team, or simply watch some incredible athletes compete, this event is sure to be full of excitement!

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Athens Community Center
701 E. State St.
Athens, OH

🔥 Come watch the exciting, fast-paced, and hard-hitting action! There will be plenty of time throughout the day to stop by and experience the thrill of wheelchair rugby.

🎟️ Raffle items will also be available! Be sure to purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win some great prizes.

♿🏉 Want to Play?

This event is open to anyone interested in participating! You do not have to have a disability to play or to come watch. Gather your friends, put together a team, and join the action!

📱 Use the QR code Ohio.quadrugby Instagram for more information.

💥 Did You Know?

Wheelchair Rugby was originally known as “Murderball,” a nickname that reflected the sport's intense, physical, and competitive nature before it became widely known as wheelchair rugby.

So, come out and support the Buckeye Blitz as they celebrate 20 years of Battle the Blitz!

🏉💥 Play hard. Cheer loud. Have fun! 💥🏉

Image description: Green flyer with the above information. A symbol of a person pushing a rugby chair. Questions email at [email protected].

09/08/2026

Advocacy can lead to real change in our communities! ♿️

SOCIL recently brought an accessibility concern at the Marietta Levee to the attention of the City of Marietta. We’re happy to share that the City listened, responded, and the new curb cut is now complete!

We appreciate the City of Marietta for working with us and taking action to improve access for people of all abilities.

Changes like this may seem small, but they can make a big difference in someone’s ability to independently access and enjoy their community.

This is what independent living and community advocacy are all about identifying barriers, working together, and finding solutions.

Please share and help us continue spreading the importance of accessibility and inclusion throughout our communities!

09/03/2026

Image description: Flyer for LEAP Cleveland Voter registration verification.

09/03/2026

Image description: NCIL's Defend Community Integration Coalition Statement on Texas v. Kennedy Proposed Joint Resolution

Defend Community Integration Coalition Statement on Texas v. Kennedy Proposed Joint Resolution

The Defend Community Integration Coalition (DCIC) strongly condemns the recent proposed joint resolution filed August 31 in the ongoing case Texas v. Kennedy. The proposed resolution aims to strike down the 2024 community integration regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This action flies in the face of decades of judicial precedent and Congressional intent to ensure that community integration remains a civil right for all people with disabilities.

As national disability rights leaders and allies, we have worked hard for decades to advance community integration as a foundational civil right for people with disabilities. We condemn any attacks aimed at undoing this work led by and for people with disabilities.

For people with disabilities, there is no right more foundational than the right to make our own choices. Far too often, we find ourselves in the position where others decide our lives for us. It takes a lot to ensure that the choices we have are real choices. It has taken years to build the supports we need to go to school, work, eat, stay housed, and raise our children.

As humans, we deserve the security of knowing that we have what we need to live our lives.

Life is not just about getting three square meals a day and getting our meds on time. It is about growing, working, loving, dreaming, failing and reaching our potential. It is about deciding when to get up, when to go out, what to eat, and with whom to live. It is hard to do these things when we are forced to stay in congregate settings where we have no say over most aspects of our lives.

Disabled people are survivors. We are spouses, parents, siblings, classmates, colleagues, and neighbors. Most of all, we are Americans determined to fight back against ideas and actions that take away our dignity and roll back years of hard-fought progress and rights.

As a coalition we will continue to work together and fight for the full realization of the community integration mandate. Community integration of people with disabilities is non-negotiable.

This is a monumental fight. In a moment like this, we need to join forces and work collectively. We are stronger together.

Join the Defend Community Integration Coalition: https://bit.ly/3V8NfIy

Additional Resources and Calls to Action

1. AAPD’s webinar “Understanding and Protecting Your Disability Rights Under Olmstead, the ADA, and Section 504” and action steps: https://bit.ly/4gCGaHi

2. Statement of National Disability Organizations on the Proposed Resolution: https://bit.ly/4zTYapt

3. DREDF’s Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4h78eEf

4. An excellent summary from Red Line for Civil Rights: https://bit.ly/4qNSTeZ

DCIC’s membership is comprised of Access Living, American Association of People with Disabilities, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Caring Across Generations, Center for Public Representation, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, and United Spinal Association.

Image: Coalition Graphic. Text reads, “Defend Community Integration Coalition” followed by logos for NCIL, AAPD, ASAN, Caring Across Generations, NDRN, United Spinal, Access Living, NACDD, Center for Public Representation, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and DREDF.