Our Clients

ABLE has launched a Medical-Legal Partnership addressing substance use disorder in rural northwestern Ohio. It is the first program of its kind in the state. Here how it has helped community members like Alex.

ABLE has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two migrant farmworkers, brothers Hector and Mario Rocha, who were subjected to unsafe, unsanitary housing and unlawful wage practices while working at Rock Dove Farm in central Ohio.

ABLE stands firmly opposed to these attacks on health care, immigrant rights, and constitutional protections that are presented in the Big Beautiful Bill. Read our full statement here.

After being unexpectedly unenrolled from both Medicare and Medicaid, Belinda faced uncertainty about affording essential medical care. With help from ABLE, she was reinstated in both programs and even enrolled in a more comprehensive Medicaid plan, ensuring her continued access to vital healthcare.

ABLE is proud to serve Haitian community members in Springfield and other parts of our service area. Read our full statement here.

On May 21, 2024, in Toledo, Ohio, an incredible milestone was achieved by Clementina Gonzalez Ponce, an 82-year-old woman originally from Guadalajara, México. After a nearly 30-year wait to receive permanent residency, Clementina became a U.S. citizen. Read her story.

People with disabilities often want to work to contribute their skills to their community and experience the independence many of us take for granted. But even part-time paid work can result in losing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. Morgan, a client with ABLE, reached out to us when she started experiencing the common issue of “overpayments.”

17-year-old Adison lives with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a condition that causes muscle weakness throughout the body and severely restricts the use of his upper extremities. Read how ABLE assisted Adison in acquiring a specialized wheelchair and robotic arm to achieve independence.

Navigating the Medicaid waiver system can be complicated and frustrating.  Hear how two of our clients navigated the system.

George is a 34-year-old man with developmental disabilities who works at a residential care facility, lives independently in his community, and has overcome many obstacles in his life. Despite being able to work, George needs additional support services to live independently successfully.

Samantha works at a school in her community and lives with her parents. Her parents are aging and are worried that Samantha cannot live independently without help because of the challenges presented by her developmental disabilities.

Juanita’s mother, Sally, provides care and support services to Juanita. But, they face eviction because Sally can’t work because she doesn’t make enough money to pay someone to care for Juanita, who has severe intellectual disabilities.

When banks foreclose on homes that owners are renting to tenants, they are required to follow certain procedures to protect tenants who find themselves facing homelessness due to the foreclosure. ABLE represented Kelly, who was renting a home for herself and her children when the owner went into foreclosure.

Janice was living at a senior facility when staff there reached out to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to discuss Janice’s possible financial exploitation by her daughter. The facility was concerned that Janice’s daughter was using Janice’s money and property inappropriately and that the daughter was threatening Janice.

Adult protective services contacted the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program with concerns that Amirah, who was a resident of a nursing home, was the victim of sexual abuse while visiting her daughter’s home outside the community.

Federal law has required for more than 40 years that public schools provide special education services in general education classrooms, the least restrictive settings, as much as it is appropriate for each child. In Nadia’s case, that almost did not happen.

Katie’s mother struggled to get her daughter the education she needs from their rural, public school district. As a young child, Katie struggled with severe behavioral outbursts and would run away from school – even from a school that specialized in working with children with disabilities. Katie has a genetic disorder, autism, attention deficit and behavioral disorders.

Clarissa’s school removed her from class often without suspension documents, as required by law, to indicate that her behavioral problems were brought on by disabilities. She was sent home so many times that her mother, Ms. Russell, had to quit her job. With help from an ABLE attorney, Ms. Russell secured an Individualized Education Program (IEP), complying with federal law that requires schools to provide accommodations for students with special needs. That allows Clarissa to stay in school and learn.

When Basma came to the U.S., the public school in her district denied her admission by claiming that her middle school diploma from she received in Syria was a terminal school degree. The school claimed this meant Basma could not attend any additional school grades.

James and Camille are from Ghana and came to the United States nine years ago so that James could attend graduate school. After graduating with his Ph.D., James found work as a research fellow at a local university. At the time his work visa expired, Camille’s sister had just passed away, leaving behind four young children. While Camille’s and James’ visas had expired, they did not feel they could leave the United States so soon after her sister’s death, because they needed to care for their nieces and nephews.