The Access Center

12/17/2025

The Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers eager to help. Volunteering with ACIL offers a unique chance to empower individuals with disabilities while gaining valuable experience and connecting with like-minded individuals.

🔧 How You Can Help:

- REDI Program: Become part of the Recycled Equipment Donated for Independence (REDI) initiative by assisting with the pickup and delivery of gently used medical equipment. Having a truck and the ability to lift heavy items is a bonus.

- Administrative Support: Contribute by handling office tasks such as filing and researching community engagement opportunities. We need organized, detail-oriented volunteers.

- **Handyman Projects:** If you love fixing things, assist with small projects around the office to maintain a welcoming environment.

- Custodial Assistance: Help keep our space safe and clean by vacuuming and cleaning restrooms.

🌟 Volunteering Benefits:

- Skill Development: Enhance your organizational or practical skills.

- Community Engagement: Meet new friends and build meaningful connections.

- Personal Fulfillment: Experience the joy and purpose that comes from helping others.

Need school credit or community service hours? We’re happy to sign off on your paperwork to ensure you receive credit for your time.

📞 Ready to Get Involved

Interested in volunteering? Contact Jeremy Caffee, Executive Director, at 937-341-5202 Ext 101 or jeremy.caffee@acils.com. Jeremy will help match you with a role that suits your interests and skills.

Volunteering at ACIL is more than just time spent; it’s a powerful way to make a real difference. Join us in supporting and empowering individuals with disabilities in Dayton and surrounding communities to achieve independence.

12/17/2025

Are you sitting too long during the day? 🪑🚫 It’s time to rethink our habits for better health! Sedentary physiology explores how prolonged sitting affects our body, even if we exercise regularly. Here are some negative effects of being sedentary and how to counter them:

🔻 Negative Effects:
- Metabolic Issues: Risk of type 2 diabetes due to decreased insulin sensitivity.
- Heart Health: Increased risk of heart disease from impaired blood flow.
- *Muscle and Bone Health: Muscle atrophy and osteoporosis risk.
- Weight Gain: Slower metabolism leading to easier weight gain.
- Other Concerns: Higher risk of certain cancers, cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.

💡 Prevention Tips:
- Move More: Incorporate movement throughout your day. Stand during calls or walk during meetings.
- Frequent Breaks: Stand up and move every 30-60 minutes.
- Active Choices: Take the stairs, park further away, and do chores vigorously.
- Desk Exercises: Try leg lifts or shoulder blade squeezes at your desk.
- Meet Activity Guidelines: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly.

🦽 If You Can't Stand or Walk:
- Seated Exercises: Engage in exercises that can be done while sitting, like seated leg lifts, arm circles, or using resistance bands.
- Chair Yoga: Explore chair yoga routines to improve flexibility and reduce stress.
- Use an Exercise Pedal Machine: These can be used while sitting to keep your legs active.
- Frequent Position Changes: Shift positions or adjust your seating regularly to enhance circulation.
- Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing or meditation to reduce stress and improve mental health.

Let’s break the sitting cycle and embrace a more active lifestyle! 💪🌟

12/15/2025

🌟 Join the Access & Functional Needs Committee: Make a Difference! 🌟
Do you or someone you know have access and/or functional needs? Your voice matters! Join our committee to collaborate with emergency response agencies and advocate for better assistance during emergencies.
👥 We’re looking for:
- People with disabilities
- Seniors
- Individuals with limited English proficiency
- Those with transportation challenges
- People from low socioeconomic backgrounds
📅 Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 16th, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
💻 Join virtually via Zoom tomorrow!
Your insights can help us improve emergency responses and ensure no one is left behind. For Zoom links and more info, contact Christopher Rutledge at christopher.rutledge@acils.com or Maria Matzik at maria.matzik@acils.com
Let's work together for a safer, more inclusive community! 🤝

12/15/2025

📣 How to Be a Disability Ally

Engaging with the disability community is a crucial step that everyone should consider. Whether through personal experiences or connections you have, being involved with this community is likely. Here are some ways you can be an ally:

🤝 Practice Equity and Respect: Treat individuals with disabilities just as you would anyone else. Communicate directly, offer assistance respectfully, and always inquire about their preferences.

🚫 Avoid Assumptions: The disability community is diverse and frequently challenges stereotypes. Remember that disabilities can be visible or invisible, and everyone deserves kindness.

📚 Educate Yourself: Gain knowledge about various disabilities and the history of the community. Utilize resources such as vlogs, articles, and podcasts to enhance your understanding.

👂 Listen Actively: Amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities by listening attentively without interruption. Avoid speaking on their behalf and respect their unique experiences.

📖 Embrace Teachable Moments: Foster curiosity, especially in children. Use their questions as chances to educate and normalize differences.

🗣️ Communicate Thoughtfully: Use respectful language and inquire about preferred terminology. Avoid labels and treat everyone as equal members of society.

Allyship is about championing equity for all. Interested in learning more about supporting the disability community? Reach out to The Access Center at 937-341-5202 or info@acils.com.

12/15/2025

Notice:

Hello everyone, we are working remote tomorrow, December 15th 2025, due to the weather. The physical office will be closed, but you are still able to contact us at (937) 341-5202. Stay warm and safe!

12/12/2025

🌟 **Tell Your ACIL Story!** 🌟 Have you felt the positive impact of The Access Center? Whether it's through housing assistance, resources, or learning independent living skills, we want to hear from you! Share your journey and inspire others. 📢

Since 1984, we've proudly served Dayton and surrounding areas, but many still aren't aware of our life-changing services. Help us spread the word by sharing your story or advocacy efforts. 🗣️

Our team recently met to plan for 2025–2028, focusing on expanding our reach. Your experiences could be featured in our newsletter and across our social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok! 📱

Interested in sharing your experience or an advocacy issue? Contact Allison Boot, our Independent Living and Communications Specialist, at 937-341-5202 Ext. 114, or allison.boot@acils.com. Let’s inspire others together! 💪 Not ready to share your story yet? No worries! Learn more about our community efforts by following us on social media. Links are at the bottom of this newsletter.

12/12/2025

Got questions about making your home more accessible for yourself or a loved one with a disability? You're not alone! Many people are looking for the right resources to guide them. 🌟

Discover valuable information on home accessibility resources at The Access Center's website: https://acils.com/independent-living-resources/

- 🏠 Room-by-Room Repair Guide for Easy Accessibility for Loved Ones with Disabilities
- 🔨 Designing a Wood Ramp: Adding a Ramp that Looks Great and Functions Well
- 🚿 Top 5 Considerations for Designing an Accessible Bathroom for Wheelchair Users
- 🏡 Accessible Modifications That Won’t Deter Future Homebuyers
- 🌳 Creating a Wheelchair-Accessible Backyard for Visitors
- 🌱 Wheelchair Gardening Tips
- 🚗 Building an Accessible Garage

Let’s make our homes welcoming for everyone!

There are 12 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the State of Ohio. CILs provide the following services to individuals:

12/10/2025

DID YOU KNOW? Close Captioning

In 1972, PBS aired "The French Chef" with Julia Child as one of the first captioned programs.
Advocacy Wins! Deaf advocates fought for widespread adoption, leading to the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990, which required TVs to have captioning capability.

Captions opened television, film, and later online media to Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

The CC under Julia Child reads:

“THE FIRST STEW IS DARK.
IT'S COOKED IN RED WINE."

12/08/2025

🎓 Elevate Your Team’s Skills with Practical Training! 🎓

Join the Access Center’s “Think This is Easy?” program to gain hands-on experience in working with diverse disabilities. Strengthen your expertise and make a meaningful difference in your community. Perfect for service providers looking to empower their teams with essential training.

Contact our Independent Living Skills Specialists, Dylan Boot or Melody Burba, at info@acils.com or call (937) 341-5202 for more information!

12/05/2025

🌟 Join the Access & Functional Needs Committee: Make a Difference! 🌟

Do you or someone you know have access and/or functional needs? Your voice matters! Join our committee to collaborate with emergency response agencies and advocate for better assistance during emergencies.

👥 We’re looking for:
- People with disabilities
- Seniors
- Individuals with limited English proficiency
- Those with transportation challenges
- People from low socioeconomic backgrounds
📅 Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 16th, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
💻 Join virtually via Zoom!

Your insights can help us improve emergency responses and ensure no one is left behind. For Zoom links and more info, contact Christopher Rutledge at christopher.rutledge@acils.com.
Let's work together for a safer, more inclusive community! 🤝