LEAP is a Center for Independent Living funded in part by the US Department of Education under The Rehabilitation Actof 1973, as amended. We promote the independent living philosophy of consumer control, self-determination, peer support, self-help and self-advocacy, systems advocacy, and equal access to society which leads to empowerment, independence, inclusion and maximized leadership.

The Doris Brennan Center provides personal, community and systems advocacy in an effort to implement local and state policy changes to make facilities, services and opportunities available and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Facilitates the development and achievement of independent living goals selected by individuals with disabilities who seek such assistance by the center.

• Independent Living Assessment and Skills Training assists individuals in developing and meeting the goals they establish in their life that will enable them to pursue their personal and vocational goals
• Peer mentoring
• Disability Determination Assistance provides assistance to consumers in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Low Vision services allow individuals with vision loss to maintain or regain their independence (LEAP Lorain County Branch Office only)
• Advocacy groups that promote self-help and self-advocacy
• Systems advocacy includes communication with elected officials at the local, State and Federal level to promote and protect disability rights
• Disability Resource Center includes Information and Referral services and Public Education
• Advocating for Public Policy Change (APPC) State site

Independent Living Services

Provides peer support, assistance with housing, benefits counseling, daily living skills training, assistance with transportation, Spanish translation, and other services to help individuals with disabilities to function at their maximum level of independence within the community setting.

• Outreach & disability education
• Accessibility surveys
• Speakers Bureau
• Minority outreach
• Housing assistance
• Transportation information

Peer Support
The majority of LEAP^s staff are persons with disabilities who provide peer counseling during service delivery whether it is a personal benefits consultation, a potential personal care attendant, or an individual seeking employment.

Advocacy Groups: LEAP operates four advocacy groups on the east and west side of Cleveland and in Lorain  County. The Advocacy groups are educational, informational and proactive. Individuals learn about the laws that affect people with disabilities, study the legislative issues in their community, state and nation and respond to policy makers by letter, individual testimony and using the power of their vote.

Some issues affect large numbers of people with disabilities and can best be addressed through advocacy for funding, policies, regulations, or laws.  LEAP’s advocacy groups work with state agencies and the local, state, and federal legislature, to improve and expand disability services or legal rights.

Any individual with a disability or their family members are eligible to be part of the advocacy group.  The individual should be willing and want to learn how to advocate on issues that could affect someone with a disability, how to respond to action alerts by telephone, mail, or personal meetings with legislators and willing to attend monthly advocacy group meetings and participate in advocacy events that are sponsored by LEAP or other groups. 

Advocacy Groups:

Disability Resource Center: Provides information to individuals with disabilities, their families, and other callers covering a variety of disability related issues such as:

• the rights of persons with disabilities
• eligibility information about programs, services or benefits
• resources for housing, transportation, accessibility, technology
• information about disability services
• referral for and follow up regarding other community services

• ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)
• ADA Accessibility Surveys
• Assistive Technology
• Disability Awareness/Sensitivity
• Emergency Preparation 
• Fair Housing
• Hiring Personal Care Attendants
• Hiring Persons with Disabilities
• Medicaid Buy In for Workers with Disabilities
• Peer Mentoring
• School to Work Transition
• Self-Advocacy
• Self-Determination
• Social Security Disability Determination
• Worksite Accommodations

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