The story of RTC Services began in the 1960s when a group of parents of children with disabilities came together to form a school, initially called Hi-Point Day School, later renamed Ludlow Center.
The school was a place where children with disabilities could receive education and support, but as the students grew into adulthood, not all of them found employment opportunities in the community.
In response, the families and local community members came together to form the Ross Training Center, a sheltered workshop overseen by a nonprofit board.
The center was named after Bernard and Grace Ross, two of the founding parents. In 1992, the center’s name was changed to RTC Industries, reflecting its broader mission.
Over the years, RTC Industries has evolved to meet the changing needs of individuals with disabilities.
The organization has expanded its services and now operates an Employment Services division that helps people with disabilities find permanent jobs within the community.
RTC began partnering with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities in the 1990s to provide employment support services.
In 2008, they introduced Community Employment Transportation, offering transportation for employees to get to their jobs.
Recently, RTC has transitioned from providing general public transportation to offering a more specialized transportation service.
This change ensures that individuals with disabilities have tailored, reliable transportation options to meet their specific needs, enhancing access to both work and community events.
This week the newsroom caught up with the Executive Director of RTC Services, Tonya Reed, and the President of the Board of Directors, Troy Gibson
The ODOT transportation grants are reimbursing grants, meaning RTC pays for all the expenses to operate transportation up front and is reimbursed by ODOT for these expenses months later.
RTC is a private, nonprofit organization, find more about them HERE.
