LEAP Cleveland

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 This month, we celebrate the beautiful diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, and we also want to shine a light on the incredible intersectionality within it. Many individuals identify as both LGBTQ+ and as a person with a disability, facing unique challenges and triumphs.

True inclusion means recognizing and celebrating ALL identities. Just as the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is a fight for human dignity and equality, so is the fight for disability rights. Both movements champion accessibility, respect, and the right to live authentically and without discrimination. Let's continue to build a world where everyone, in all their forms, feels safe, valued, and empowered.

LEAP will have a table at Pride in the CLE tomorrow and would love to see you there! For more information about the event click here:
https://lgbtcleveland.org/pride/

The LEAP offices will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

We are so excited to announce that Beth Glas, LEAP’s Executive Director, has been recognized as a Cleveland 230 honoree “Coalition Builder.” It is so well deserved!

The Cleveland 230 celebrates the individuals whose leadership, impact, and contributions have helped shape Cleveland’s story and continue moving our city forward. This is part of One Cleveland, the Cleveland Public Library’s citywide civic pride campaign.

To read Beth’s profile and see other honorees, click this link: https://cpl.org/onecle/230/beth-glas/

To watch a video featuring the Coalition Builders, click this link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hw_XyQgczE

To learn more about One Cleveland, click this link: https://cpl.org/onecle/

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day!! 🌍

May 21st is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Let's talk about making the digital world inclusive for everyone. Did you know that accessible tech helps people with disabilities AND improves usability for all? Small changes, like adding alt text to images or captioning videos, can make a HUGE difference.

Click here if you’re interested in learning more: https://accessibility.day/

Image description: A graphic of GAAD in a circle with a keyboard at 5:00 next to the text Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

GAAD Thursday, May 15, 2025, help us celebrate the 14th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.

Join us on May 29th for our fourth annual Prom! There will be a DJ, photobooth, food, giveaways, and a red carpet for participants to strut their stuff!

Register by May 22nd at the link below, it is sure to be a fantastic time!

https://www.leapinfo.org/events/2026/05/29/prom

If you have a disability or know someone that does, OSILC wants to hear from you! Check out the survey below. Thanks!

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC) wants to hear from people with disabilities!

Share your experiences, goals, and any challenges you face—whether or not you are connected with Center for Independent Living (CIL) services. Your feedback will help improve services and help OSILC better support people with disabilities in the community.

Please take the survey today using the link or QR code below:
https://www.research.net/r/OSILC_Survey

🔹 All responses go directly to Measurement Resources Company, our survey partner, and will remain anonymous to OSILC.
🔹The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete.
🔹 The deadline to provide your input is May 22, 2026.

Taking the survey is optional, but your input is important.

Have questions about the survey?
Contact Emily Wolfe-Sherrie:
Phone: 614-947-8899
Email: [email protected]

May is Older Americans Month!

During the month of May, LEAP recognizes the contributions that older Americans’ make that improve all our lives. We are committed to supporting older adults that are living, working, and thriving in our community.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has announced that this year’s theme is Champion Your Health. It “emphasizes prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as foundations of healthy aging. It encourages people to take an active role in managing their health, advocate for themselves, access preventive care, and make informed decisions that support independence.”

To learn more, check out their website: https://acl.gov/oam/older-americans-month

The Disability Experience in Womanhood

Join us for a conversation between women, those with disabilities and those without, to discuss our lived experiences. All women and non-binary folks are welcome. We'll discover our shared struggles and where our paths diverge. Advocate Saphire Murphy will lead a fun, engaging, and emotional discussion.

Tuesday, May 12
From 5:00 to 7:00 pm
At Cleveland VOTES (2111 Center Street, Cleveland, OH 44113)

Venue is wheelchair-accessible. Live captioning and ASL interpretation provided. Enjoy light dinner and snacks.

This free event is brought to you by Cleveland VOTES and LEAP. Registration is required.

Click here to register: https://www.leapinfo.org/events/2026/05/12/the-disability-experience-in-womanhood

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!! 💚🎗

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let's talk about the intersection of disability and mental health. Studies show that individuals with disabilities often experience mental health challenges at a higher rate than those without disabilities. In fact, a study by the CDC “found that adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress 4.6 times as often as those without disabilities.”

Why is this the case? Factors such as discrimination, social isolation, chronic pain, and barriers to accessing healthcare can all play a role. It's crucial to recognize these unique challenges and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for everyone.



Interested in learning more? Click here: https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/articles-documents/adults-with-disabilities-mental-distress.html

You can visit Barb at the Live Special transition fair today until 2pm at the Independence Civic Center. There are many great organizations and resources available!