Center for Accessible Living Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO SERVE AS AN INNOVATIVE LEADER AND COMMUNITY PARTNER IN EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL OF INDEPENDENT LIVING.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 95%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $85,311, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 40 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 90% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $652,997 spent. ACL PROVIDES THE BASIC SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF INDEPENDENT LIVING, SPECIFICALLY THE FIVE CORE SERVICES REQUIRED BY OUR MISSION. ADVOCACY: ADVOCATES WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONSUMERS TO RESOLVE INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION AND DENIAL OF SERVICES THROUGH MEDIATION WITH GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. ADVOCACY ALSO INCLUDES WORKING FOR SYSTEMS CHANGES THAT REFLECT THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS HELP CONSUMERS LEARN AND DEVELOP SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS THAT IMPEDE SERVICE DELIVERY, INVESTIGATE DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS, AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING PROGRAM SERVICES. SYSTEMS ADVOCACY HELPS CONSUMERS LEARN TO INTERACT WITH APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICES, TO UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND TO ENCOURAGE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL GOALS, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT GOALS, IF DESIRED. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: THE CENTER SERVES AS A RESOURCE CENTER AND A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING DISABILITY. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PROVIDES THE KENTUCKIANA AREA WITH INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, OTHER DISABILITY LAWS, AND INDIVIDUAL ACCESS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES APPROPRIATE REFERRALS TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY IN LEARNING ABOUT DISABILITIES AND DISABILITY RELATED ISSUES. THE CENTER MAKES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS: CLASSES DEVELOP SKILLS NEEDED TO HELP CONSUMERS LEARN BASIC AND ADVANCED SKILLS TO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE FOR A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFESYTLE. CLASSES INCLUDE CREDIT COUNSELING, ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING, ADAPTIVE COOKING, MOBILITY TRAINING, NUTRITION, HOMEMAKING, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AMONG OTHERS. PEER SUPPORT: ONE-ON-ONE OR GROUP SETTINGS, PEER SUPPORT ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO HELP EACH OTHER ON A CROSS-DISABILITY BASIS. PEERS PROVIDES ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INCREASE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL OVERCOME INTERPERSONAL, FAMILY, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, INTERAGENCY AND OTHER DISABILITY-RELATED CHALLENGES. TRANSITION: SERVICES THAT FACILITATE TRANSITION FROM NURSING HOMES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENCES WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AT RISK OF ENTERING INSTITUTIONS, AND FACILITATE TRANSITION OF YOUTH TO POSTSECONDARY LIFE. ACL PROPOSES TO AMEND THE EXISTING REGULARATORY DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CORE SERVICES BY ADDING THE NEW FIFTH CORE SERVICE TO THE PREVIOUS DEFINITION. THE FOUR ORIGINAL CORE SERVICES ARE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES; INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING; PEER COUNSELING, INCLUDING CROSS-DISABILITY PEER COUNSELING; INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY. THE NEW FIFITH CORE SERVICE HAS THREE COMPONENTS, EACH OF WHICH MUST BE MET TO FULFILL THE FIFTH CORE SERVICE. IT REQUIRES CILS TO 1) FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES FROM NURSING HOMES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENCES, WITH THE REQUISITE SUPPORTS AND SERVICES; 2) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES WHO ARE AT RISK OF ENTERING INSTITUTIONS SO THAT THE INDIVIDUALS REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY; AND 3) FACILITATE THE TRANSITION OF YOUTH WHO ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES, WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS (IEPS) UNDER SECTION 614(D) OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT, AND WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION OR OTHERWISE LEFT SCHOOL TO POSTSECONDARY LIFE.
- $271,663 spent. CHOICES NAVIGATOR, THE WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY AND ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING TO SERVE THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY. THE CENTER WILL MAKE AVAILABLE A COMMUNITY WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATOR, A KNOWLEDGEABLE ADVOCATE, SSA CERTIFIED, TO HELP BENEFICIARIES AND RECIPIENTS UNDERSTAND COMPLEX WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. THIS PROGRAM HELPS SSI AND SSDI DISABILITY BENEFICIARIES, AGES 14 THROUGH 64, UNDERSTAND THEIR WORK OPTIONS SO THAT THEY MAY MAKE MORE INFORMED CHOICES REGARDING WORK. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND RELATED ISSUES. AS A PART OF THIS PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS ALSO RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE.
- $288,105 spent. THE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING, INC.'S SILC PROGRAM SERVES BOWLING GREEN AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THE STAFF DELIVERS THE INDEPENDENT LIVING CORE SERVICES OF ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, PEER SUPPORT, TRANSITION SERVICES, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL THROUGHOUT THE BOWLING GREEN SERVICE DELIVERY AREA. THESE STAFF MEMBERS WORK OUT OF THE CENTER'S LOUISVILLE AND CRESTVIEW HILLS OFFICES AND MEET WITH CONSUMERS FACE TO FACE IN PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
- $687,495 spent. THE RAMPBUILDERS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING CUSTOM-DESIGNED HOME ACCESS RAMPS AND RAILINGS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SINCE THE INCORPORATION OF THE CENTER IN 1981. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, RAMPS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS CAN SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THEIR HOMES, PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND RECREATION. A RAMP PROVIDES A VERY BASIC LEVEL OF FREEDOM AND SAFETY SO THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES. OUR PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED RAMPS TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THANKS TO FUNDING FROM SOURCES THAT INCLUDE OR HAVE INCLUDED LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT, LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, MEDICAID, AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. A REPUTABLE AND EXPERIENCED CONTRACTOR OR SUPPLIER BUILDS OR INSTALLS THE RAMPS TO CODE. THE RAMPBUILDERS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING CUSTOM-DESIGNED HOME ACCESS RAMPS AND RAILINGS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SINCE THE INCORPORATION OF THE CENTER IN 1981. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, RAMPS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT. INDIVIDUALS WITH MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS CAN SAFELY ENTER AND EXIT THEIR HOMES, PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND RECREATION. A RAMP PROVIDES A VERY BASIC LEVEL OF FREEDOM AND SAFETY SO THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES. OUR PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED RAMPS TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THANKS TO FUNDING FROM SOURCES THAT INCLUDE OR HAVE INCLUDED LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT, LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, MEDICAID, AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. A REPUTABLE AND EXPERIENCED CONTRACTOR OR SUPPLIER BUILDS OR INSTALLS THE RAMPS TO CODE. THE SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY (SGA) PILOT PROJECT EMPLOYS TWO FTE KENTUCKY WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATORS (KWICS) TO PROVIDE COORDINATED SERVICE DELIVERY TO 500 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (CR) CONSUMERS WHO ARE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI) RECIPIENTS. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO THE SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL 1) VR ENHANCED COUNSELING TEAM APPROACH, 2) JOB DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS RELATIONS AND 3) INTENSIVE WORK INCENTIVE COORDINATING SERVICES. KWIC SERVICES INCLUDE WORK INCENTIVE PLANNING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND ASSET DEVELOPMENT. 874K PROGRAM - PROMOTES ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES AS THEY PERTAIN SPECIFICALLY TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATE TO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RECEPTIONS HELD EACH YEAR AT WHICH UPCOMING LEGISLATION IS DISSEMINATED. KATS NETWORK CONTRACT. IN THE SPRING OF 2024, AFTER A COMPETITIVE PROCESS, THE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING WAS AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR $63,000 ANNUALLY FROM THE KATS NETWORK TO BECOME THE NEW ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTER (ATRC) IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA, REPLACING ENTECH AT SPAULDING UNIVERSITY WHO CLOSED THEIR CENTER AFTER MANY YEARS OF OPERATION. AS AN ATRC, CAL PROVIDES DEMONSTRATIONS AND LOANS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS IN SELECTING THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL WORK BEST FOR THEM AND TRAINS THEM ON ITS USE, AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT ALSO TAKES IN DONATIONS OF GENTLY USED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, CLEANS AND REFURBISHES IT AND REDISTRIBUTES IT TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT AT NO COST TO THEM. CAL BEGAN PROVIDING SERVICES AS THE CALTECH ATRC ON JULY 1, 2024.THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (KDE) 360 GRANT IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH EXPLORE THEIR FUTURE GOALS AND CAREER INTERESTS. IT SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT RESOURCES, SKILLS, AND PATHWAYS THAT CAN HELP THEM BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AFTER GRADUATION.INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT (IPS) IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH TO HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, OR OTHER BARRIERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT. IPS IS BUILT ON THE BELIEF THAT ANYONE WHO WANTS TO WORK CAN WORK WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT.THE IPS MODEL FOCUSES ON - COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT IN THE OPEN LABOR MARKET RATHER THAN SHELTERED OR SEGREGATED SETTINGS. RAPID JOB SEARCH, WITH INDIVIDUALS BEGINNING TO LOOK FOR WORK QUICKLY INSTEAD OF COMPLETING LENGTHY PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING. PERSONALIZED SUPPORT, WHERE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, INTERESTS, AND CAREER GOALS. INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SERVICES BY COLLABORATING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, DISABILITY SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. LONG-TERM SUPPORT TO HELP PARTICIPANTS SUCCEED AND GROW IN THEIR WORKPLACE. EMPLOYER OUTREACH WHERE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES TO MATCH PARTICIPANTS WITH THE RIGHT JOB OPPORTUNITIES.THE INTENSIVE HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES FOCUSED, INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOUSING. THE PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY FACE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS SUCH AS PRIOR EVICTIONS, JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT, OR LIMITED ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL SERVICES. THROUGH REGULAR OUTREACH, DIRECT SUPPORT, AND ONGOING FOLLOW UP, OUR TEAM HELPS PARTICIPANTS LOCATE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NAVIGATE APPLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION, CONNECT TO BENEFITS, AND BUILD THE INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS NEEDED TO REMAIN STABLE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH EACH PARTICIPANT TO IDENTIFY GOALS, REMOVE BARRIERS, AND COORDINATE SERVICES ACROSS MULTIPLE AGENCIES. THE LEXINGTON TEAM PRIORITIZES PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING, HOUSING FIRST PRINCIPLES, AND ZERO EXCLUSION. WE WELCOME INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND AND ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING EACH PERSON SECURE HOUSING AND MAINTAIN LONG-TERM STABILITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.