Understanding the needs, experiences, and priorities of Ohioans with disabilities to help shape the future of Independent Living.
About the Assessment
Your voices helped shape Ohio’s future
The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC) believes that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to live independently, make their own choices, and participate fully in their communities.
In 2026, OSILC partnered with Measurement Resources Company to conduct a statewide Needs Assessment to better understand the experiences of Ohioans with disabilities, identify barriers to independent living, and explore opportunities to strengthen Independent Living services and supports.
The findings will help inform the development of Ohio’s 2028–2030 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), alongside continued public input and statewide planning.
The assessment worked to answer four important questions:
- What do Ohioans with disabilities need to achieve their independent living goals?
- What barriers prevent people from accessing services or living independently?
- How well are Centers for Independent Living meeting people’s needs?
- Who is being reached, and which populations may be underserved?
232 Survey Respondents
6 Consumer Interviews and Focus Group Participants
10 CILs with Consumers Participating
What Ohioans Told Us
Ohioans with disabilities identified a range of services and supports important to reaching their independent living goals.
When asked what resources they may need over the next three years, transportation and housing were among the most frequently identified needs.
Most frequently identified needs
Number of respondents mentioning each need (218 answered this question)
These findings show that independent living involves more than any single service. Access to transportation, accessible housing, personal assistance, employment, and community resources can all affect a person’s ability to live independently and participate in their community.
Key Findings
The assessment identified areas where existing services are making a positive difference, along with opportunities for improvement.
CIL consumers generally reported positive experiences with services, particularly the respect shown by staff, communication, and involvement in decisions.
Consumers also reported positive experiences related to making their own choices and living as independently as possible.
More accurate, accessible, and personalized information about benefits, disability rights, transportation, housing, and other supports.
More opportunities to build skills for daily living, technology, personal finances, self-advocacy, and navigating complex systems.
More disability-led mentoring, peer support groups, and opportunities to connect with people who have shared experiences.
More support understanding rights, navigating services, speaking up, and participating in disability-led advocacy.
More accessible activities, volunteer opportunities, and opportunities for social connection in community settings.
Earlier connections to resources, school transition support, and hands-on opportunities for youth to build independent living skills.
How your feedback helps shape Ohio’s future
The Needs Assessment is not the end of the conversation. It is an important part of developing Ohio’s 2028–2030 State Plan for Independent Living.
The goal: Meaningful change.
Our work does not stop at identifying needs. The next step is using what we learn to guide decisions, strengthen services, expand opportunities, and measure progress toward greater choice, independence, and community participation.
Explore the Results
Read the Needs Assessment
We encourage Ohioans with disabilities, advocates, service providers, community organizations, and policymakers to review the findings.
This project was funded with Title VII Part B funding to support activities to conduct studies and analyses, gathered information, developed model policies, and presented findings in order to enhance IL services