No one plans to have a child with a disability. For most people, the discovery that a child has cerebral palsy or another disability forces the family to find resources and assistance. This is particularly true if the cerebral palsy was due to medical malpractice. In such situations, Gershon, Willoughby, Getz & Smith, LLC offers support and assistance to families. We help families in Ohio to obtain the financial remuneration to which the child is entitled as a result of medical malpractice.
In addition to our services, there are many other organizations and companies in Ohio who can offer their guidance and assistance. Here, we’ve listed a few of these choices to help families in time of need.
Unique Cerebral Palsy Resources in Ohio
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland
UCP of Greater Cleveland services more than 1500 children and adults each year. They provide care to individuals with disabilities including everything from early intervention for infants and children’s therapy to adult residential and vocational support. They began by servicing children with cerebral palsy. Today, however, in addition to their services for cerebral palsy sufferers, they also work with those who are disabled from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy and more. For more information, contact Phone: (216) 791-8363.
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
This nonprofit is a statewide organization that serves families with disabilities of all types in Ohio and works with the agencies that provide services to these families. They work with over 40 parent and professional organizations that deal with disability assistance. For over 25 years, they’ve been funded by the federal government, the U.S. Department of Education and the Office for Special Educational Programs to be the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for the state of Ohio. For more information, contact: Executive Office – Marion 165 W. Center St., Suite 302, 3rd Floor, Chase Bank Building, Marion, Ohio 43302, Toll Free – (800)-374-2806, For Parents ext 20.
Ohio Legal Rights Service
The Ohio Legal Rights Service (LRS) is an independent agency of the State of Ohio. They protect and advocate for the legal rights of people with disabilities and they are a Client Assistance Program under the Rehabilitation Act. They advocate for those with disabilities and protect their human, civil and legal rights. They help people to protect their rights in issues of employment, community integration, voting, assistive technology and more. They can be contacted at: Ohio Legal Rights Service, 50 W. Broad Street, Suite 1400, Columbus, Ohio 43215-5923, Phone: 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181.
Other Resources for Cerebral Palsy Assistance in Ohio
Cerebral Palsy
Beverly Johnson, Executive Director
United Cerebral Palsy of Ohio
1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 205C
Columbus, OH 43215
(800) 796-8498; (614) 481-8118
Programs for Children with Disabilities: Ages 3-5
Jane Wiechel, Director
Division of Early Childhood Education, OH Department of
Education
65 South Front Street, Room 309
Columbus, OH 43215-4183
(614) 466-0224
E-mail: ece_wiechel@ode.ohio.gov
Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities: Ages birth through 2
Cindy Oser, Chief, Bur. of Early Intervention Services
Ohio Department of Health
P.O. Box 118, 246 North High Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0118
(614) 644-8389
E-mail: coser@gw.odh.state.oh.us
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
Robert Rabe, Administrator
Rehabilitation Services Commission
400 East Campus View Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43235-4604
(614) 438-1210 (V/TTY)
E-mail: RSC_RLR@ohio.gov
Web: www.state.oh.us/RSC
State Development Disabilities Planning Council
David Zwyer, Executive Director
Ohio DD Planning Council
8 East Long Street
Atlas Bldg., 12th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-5205
E-mail: MR_DDC_Zwyer@ohio.gov
Web: www.ohioDDC.org
Protection and Advocacy Agency
Carolyn Knight, Executive Director
Ohio Legal Rights Services
8 East Long Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-7264; (614) 728-2553 (TTY)
(800) 282-9181 (in OH)