ABILITY360 INC
By and for people with disabilities
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
People with disabilities are the most marginalized, discriminated against and oppressed groups in society. As an organization, we aim to achieve the full rights and empowerment of all persons with disabilities. We aim to promote and sustain the independent living philosophy through advocacy and utilization of the peer support model. We aim to ensure self-determination, consumer choice and control and the individual's right to make informed decisions regarding his or her best interests in all aspects of life. We aim to ensure the full participation of people with disabilities in the cultural, social, recreational and economic life of the community and their involvement in the decision-making process of community programs and services. We aim to develop collaborative relationships and partnerships that lead to collective accomplishment of eliminating these societal barriers and achievement of these organizational goals.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
We provide exceptional adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall well being of people with disabilities and their family members.
Home Care Services
Ability360’s Home Care Services employs more than 2,300 personal care assistants throughout Maricopa, Pinal/Gila, Pima, and Yavapai Counties. Despite our being the largest provider of in-home care, Ability360 maintains its "small town” approach while providing you individualized and personal service.
Ability360 is a non-profit, consumer-driven organization. Ability360’s Home Care Services (HCS) program has been providing nationally recognized, quality in-home care to seniors and people with disabilities for over 25 years. Home Care Services values the whole person and empowers people to live as independently as possible.
Home Care Services (HCS) recruits, screens, trains and employs caregivers who provide personal assistance services to the elderly or physically disabled that are qualified through the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and have selected United Health Care Community Plan, Mercy Care Plan, or Bridgeway Health Solutions, as well as to Native Americans who are qualified and receiving services through AHCCCS/ALTCS and the Native American Community Health Centers. Ability360 also provides personal care assistance to persons who are developmentally disabled through the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
Ability360’s HCS program provides many different assistant care services to meet each individual’s needs, including: Personal Care; Homemaking; and Respite Care/Companionship.
Independent Living Skills Instruction
Each individual has the right to optimize their personal ability and fully integrate into the community. ABILITY360 assists motivated consumers in developing self-determined goals to gain greater independence.
We provide trainings, resources, and information; we can help you take control of your life in order to live independently. Trainings can include, and are not limited to: budgeting; goal-setting; learning public transportation; self-advocacy; organization; personal grooming; nutrition; stress management; and communication skills. The first step towards independent living is to call and set up an appointment with an Independent Living Advocate to schedule a one-on-one Independent Living personal assessment.
Information & Referral
As one of the five core services of any center for Independent Living, Ability360 has up-to-date lists of resources for community organizations that provide a wide range of services and programs to give you the knowledge needed to increase your independence in the community.
Call if you need information on how to access resources on disability issues such as: housing options, transportation services, assistive technology, education, independent living skills, or community health resources so you can achieve your goal of independence.
Living Well with a Disability
Living Well with a Disability is a FREE 10-week health promotion and wellness course designed specifically to help adults with physical disabilities and medical chronic conditions strengthen the skills they already have so they can live a satisfying life. The Living Well program is course grounded in consumer choice and peer support. The Living Well with a Disability course helps participants identify their goals and develop a plan to reach them. Students study a different chapter of the Living Well workbook each week. The class typically meets weekly for two hours.
Research shows that participation in health promotion and wellness programs often improves a person with a disability’s life satisfaction, reduces secondary conditions, decreases medical care costs and improves overall health and wellness.
Peer Support
Peer Support is an Independent Living Center Core Service. Ability360 provides peer support in two ways: the majority of our direct service staff have disabilities; and we have trained Peer Mentor volunteers who work with individuals to help them achieve their independent living goals.
Ability360 Peer Mentors are individuals who:
• Have a disability, or are close to someone who does
• Successfully achieved independent living
• Assist others to achieve their independent living goals
Ability360 Peer Mentors:
• Listen and provide support
• Take part in solving problems that all people with disabilities have in common
• Share their knowledge of community resources
Mentor Opportunities:
• One-to-one contact
• Outreach to people at rehabilitation centers and nursing homes
• Advocacy for individuals and community
• Participation in group mentoring sessions and disability awareness presentations
Home Modifications
Ability360’s Home Modification program assists people with disabilities who need modifications to their residence to improve accessibility and safety. The program facilitates accessible modifications for Maricopa county residents. The program is made possible largely by Community Development Block Grants through the cities of Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, and the city funds from Tempe.
The program can assist with a wide variety of basic modifications that increase the accessibility in your home and increase the independence of one or more of the residents with a disability.
Typical modifications include:
• Ramps
• Widen door openings
• Install grab bars
• Modify sinks & toilets
• Relocate electrical switches
Early Intervention
Ability360’s Early Intervention Coordinator works with major rehabilitation centers across the Valley to provide peer support, resources and information to newly-disabled individuals and their families during their rehabilitation.
Services are designed to identify and meet needs in five areas, including physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and adaptive needs.
Ability360 promotes the Independent Living philosophy; this is the freedom to direct one’s own life. Every individual has the right to optimize his or her personal choices in work, family, and community life. A commitment to dignity, freedom, and choice for people with disabilities drives the delivery of Independent Living services, programs, and activities. Our Early Intervention Coordinator facilitates Independent Living philosophy presentations, peer mentoring and other support activities that can assist in the process of learning to adapt to a disability and gaining a positive self-image.
Socialization Through Recreation
The Socialization Through Recreation Program offers opportunities to meet new people, develop interpersonal skills, gain self-confidence, reduce stress, improve social or communication skills, and most importantly, to have fun!
The Cooking, Arts & Crafts and Game Day groups are a few of the events that are offered. Other events are based on consumer input as to what they would like to see or do in the community. Events may include: bowling; Nintendo Wii; museums; movies; and holiday/seasonal events. Events may be offered at reduced prices or no cost to the consumer.
Reintegration from Nursing Homes
Reintegration means discovering that you DO have choices.
Too often, individuals who have spent years in a nursing home become "institutionalized” and are not aware of the options available to them.
Ability360’s reintegration program assists adults under age 62 in gaining confidence, knowledge and resources needed to move out of nursing homes. Because consumers are individuals with various levels of need, apprehension and motivation, the speed of transition will vary from one to another.
Youth Transitions to Adulthood
Building Bridges – Empowering Youth with Disabilities into Adulthood
This program assists high school students ages 14-22, to transition from high school into community life.
The Empowering Youth Program provides individual and family advocacy, technical support to special education teachers, and assistance to students and parents with advocacy in facilitating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). In addition, this program offers disability sensitivity training in the schools and technical assistance to regular education teachers in accommodating youth with disabilities.
ADA Training & Services
Ability360 offers services to facilitate implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the state, including ADA training, technical assistance and materials to businesses and persons with disabilities on the requirements and options of the ADA.
We offer advocacy services with the intent of facilitating cooperative compliance. Ability360 provides ADA counseling on larger projects such as facility surveys and job accommodations.
Advocacy
Need help advocating for accessible buildings, transportation, housing, healthcare, or government programs? Ability360 offers technical information, training and support. We provide individual and systems advocacy.
Employment Services
Ability360 Employment Services (AES) provides employment assistance and support services to persons with disabilities seeking employment through the Ticket to Work program as part of your Social Security Disability Insurance. We are one of the largest and most successful organizations providing services through the Ticket program in the entire country. All of our staff members have personal experience with disability and most of us have been on Social Security benefits at some point in our own lives. We understand the questions and concerns you have about returning to work because we have been there. Our job is to analyze your specific situation and goals and advise you throughout your job search and for up to 45 months beyond.
If you are in current pay status under the Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs and are between the ages of 18 and 64, you are eligible for services through the Ticket to Work program. This program is strictly voluntary and may be used anytime you are ready to pursue employment. AES considers a number of factors when determining whether to accept a ticket from someone. Motivation, sincerity, and attitude on the part of the ticket holder are primary factors in this decision. AES also considers work history, qualifications for the occupation sought, and whether the services we offer will meet your needs.
AES also helps coordinate job skills training to brush up on existing skills or learn new ones if that will lead to self-supporting employment.
Benefit 2 Work / Social Security Work Incentives Consulting
If you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits and have a specific work goal, are working or have a job offer, we can help you understand how earned income will affect your cash, medical and other benefits. We can inform you about work incentives that can ease your transition to work and help you understand and navigate Social Security related work rules. Our Certified Community Work Incentives Coordinators have knowledge of Social Security, Medicare, AHCCCS and other government programs. We can show you how work pays!
WORK INCENTIVES PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE (WIPA) SERVICES
This service can assist and support your employment choices with information that can help you achieve your goals.
The Social Security Administration (Social Security) has created a variety of work incentives that make it easier to go to work for people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The Benefits 2 Work Arizona program, managed by Ability360, can help you understand the Social Security Work Incentives and how to use them to increase your income through work. We are Centers for Independent Living providing advocacy and services by and for people with disabilities. We can help you make the transition to work with a disability easier.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO WORK
- There are SSDI and SSI incentives that may help you retain Medicare and Medicaid.
- You may be able to get back on cash benefits if you need to without re-applying
- SSDI beneficiaries can work for a while before cash benefits stop.
- SSI recipients always earn more working
- Students under the age of 22 can gain work experience without affecting their SSI check
Livability Magazine
LivAbility Magazine was a quarterly publication by Ability360. This lifestyle magazine features the people, places and things of interest to the disability community in Arizona.
Theatre360
The mission of Theatre360 is to create and present artistic works that entertain, inform and challenge audiences while breaking down barriers by heightening our community visibility beyond disability.
Theatre360 is a troupe of Phoenix-based artists dedicated to the personal, social and political voices of people with disabilities. Theatre360 presents original theatre pieces born out of the life experiences and artistry of people with disabilities, along with published plays. Themes, format and length of performance vary based on the works presented and the needs of specific audiences. Post-performance discussions are available to provide forums for dialogue about Theatre360’s artistic process and to explore the artistic voices of audience members.
This is My Life
At Ability360, we believe self-determination and self-advocacy skills for people with developmental disabilities are very important. The This is MY Life (TIML) program encourages and teaches people 16 and older receiving services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (i.e. people who have Cerebral Palsy, a Cognitive Disability, Autism, or Epilepsy) to speak up so they can make more life choices and choose the direction of their own lives.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of adults with disabilities or family members receiving information and referral assistance.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Information & Referral
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of elderly and physically disabled receiving home care assistance each month.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Home Care Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of people with disabilities participating in socialization through recreation services each year.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Socialization Through Recreation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of people with disabilities receiving SSI & SSDI work incentives planning and consulting services.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Benefit 2 Work / Social Security Work Incentives Consulting
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of people with disabilities that received home accessibility modifications.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with physical disabilities
Related Program
Home Modifications
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of newly disabled consumers receiving early intervention peer counseling and resource assistance to transition from rehabilitation hospitals back into the community.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with physical disabilities
Related Program
Early Intervention
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of peer mentors trained to match with people with disabilities.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Peer Support
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of new adults with disabilities receiving independent living skills training.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Independent Living Skills Instruction
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of adults with disabilities that received one-on-one advocacvy assistance.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Advocacy
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of adults with disabilities and/or famility member that received a disability survival guide.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Information & Referral
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of adults with disabilities that received assistance to move out of a nursing home and into the community.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with physical disabilities
Related Program
Reintegration from Nursing Homes
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of adults with disabilities receiving comprehensive employment assistance.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Employment Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of adults and youth with disabilities participating in sports, fitness, and recreation services.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities
Related Program
Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
VISION & GOALS OF ABILITY360
A community where dignity, equality, access, empowerment, and choice exists for all persons with disabilities
• In five years, Ability360 will be widely recognized as the go to place for people with disabilities as a primary point of entry to the continuum of services, as the recognized authority on and advocate for people with disabilities, and as a preferred provider of empowering programs and services.
• Ability360's brand name will signify the organization's fundamental commitment to the
philosophy of independent living, personal choice, and quality services.
• Ability360 will broaden and diversify its reach to a broader demographic of people with disabilities.
• Ability360 will clearly and compellingly document its distinctive value and the impact of its services to people with disabilities and functional limitations.
• Ability360 will be recognized as a center of innovation in programming for people with disabilities.
• Ability360 will be endowed with a secure and diversified base of funding.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Continue to grow Home Care Services (formerly Personal Assistance Services), especially in Pima and Pinal/Gila Counties, with the intent that they be self-sustaining
2. Explore new strategies to expand the reach and impact of community integration programs for people with disabilities and functional limitations (See Resource Development objective #1)
3. Expand core services in Maricopa, Pinal, and Gila Counties based on demand and available funding 4. Expand engagement with youth-in-transition in relevant program areas
5. Coordinate access to education and job skills training for adults with disabilities
6. Continue to develop, expand, and promote Ticket to Work employment network program
7. Expand the scope, reach and visibility of the Sports & Fitness Center
a. Increase annual memberships
b. Increase annual punch card access
c. Increase veteran access and participation
d. Increase number of Wounded Warrior program participants
e. Offer a variety of Sports & Fitness Center programs in outlying areas for individuals and communities unable to visit the Center on a regular basis
f. Develop an official Center program for individual and team participation in competitive adaptive sports, leveraging community and corporate sponsorships to support member participation
8. Expand internal capabilities to address increased demand from Hispanic / Latino and African American communities, GLBT, veterans and other underserved populations. 9. Build Ability360's cultural competencies vis-à-vis its capacity to appropriately serve diverse populations, including the above communities, those with developmental/intellectual, mental/behavioral health communities/consumers. 10. Increase financial and health literacy education opportunities for people with disabilities.
11. Promote Employment Readiness opportunities for people with disabilities who are not on Social Security benefits. 12. Proactively support disability rights legislation. 13. Continue to explore and aggressively pursue all funding opportunities to maintain and grow community integration and other Independent Living programs. 14. Invest adequate resources in appropriate functions and technologies to allow for expanded promotion and visibility of ABILITY360's programs and impact. 15. Leverage powerful consumer stories and promote to media exposure. 16. Expand our webpage to include more instructive information on employment 17. Develop/expand social media presence and campaign on Facebook and Twitter.
18. Leverage real estate on-site for advertising, e.g., A360 billboard, digital ticker, lobby screens in A360 Center and Sports & Fitness Center. 19. Enhance Board's role and effect in supporting fundraising, building awareness and public policy.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Ability360 is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. Through its comprehensive programs, Ability360 touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.
Ability360 began in 1977 as the Arizona Congress for Action (ACA), a group of people with diverse physical disabilities who launched a grassroots effort to educate the community about disability-related issues in Central Arizona. In 1978, Congress enacted Independent Living Center legislation as part of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In 1981, Ability360 received funding and began services.
Today, with more than 130 staff members, more than 2,500 personal assistants and hundreds of volunteers, Ability360 has offices in Phoenix, Gilbert/Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, Coolidge, and Prescott Valley, and provides services throughout Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Gila, and Yavapai Counties.
Ability360 programs are made possible through grants, fee-for-service contracts, and individual and corporate contributions. Ability360's funding sources include: the city of Phoenix Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); the city of Mesa CDBG; the city of Peoria CDBG; the Arizona Department of Economic Security/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA); the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD); the U.S. Department of HHS/ACL; the U.S. Social Security Administration; the Pacific Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center; and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) / Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) via its program contractors: Mercy Care; Banner Health; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan; Native American Community Health Centers, and DDD.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
ABILITY360 INC
Board of directorsas of 01/03/2024
Andrew Reilly
Arizona Attorney Generals Office
Term: 2018 - 2023
Trent Maruyama
Barrow Neurological Institute - Neuro Rehabilitation Center
Nathan Pullen
Department of Economic Security
Andrew Reilly
Arizona Attorney General’s Office
Candyce Williams
Barrow Neurological Institute & Dignity Health/St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Greg Hyland
Lyft
Corey Lovato
Az Center for Disability Law
Tina Brown
Arizona Complete Health
Vicki Copeland
United Healthcare
Todd Lemay
TerrainHopper USA
Greggory Ohannessian
Ridgeline Academy
Susan Segal
Catherine Sienko
Arizona DES Vocational REhabilitation Program
Susan Webb
Jill Wysolmierski
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data