ACCEL
A Life of Dignity and Self-Worth
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
ACCEL serves individuals with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. K-12 students are referred to ACCEL by school districts unable to serve them in district special education programs due to the severity of their disabilities. These students entered school far behind other children, having been unable to learn communication, social or living skills as basic as toilet training that other children learn before entering school. Many come to ACCEL with self-injurious behavior, aggression, anxiety and extreme compulsions which severely impact success at school, at home and in the community. | Most adults entering ACCEL's Adult Services program have not been successful in previous job placements, vocational training programs or recreational programs because of their severe needs. Children ages 18 months-10 years served in ACCEL's BISTA Center are either experiencing difficulty at home or at school, or are at high risk of an unsuccessful entry into public school kindergarten.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
ACCEL
ACCEL is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, cognitive disabilities and behavioral disorders. Founded in 1980, ACCEL is celebrating 40 years of providing innovative, individualized and comprehensive educational, therapeutic, employment, behavioral and life skills training to its students, adult members and clients. ACCEL’s private educational program supports students ages five to 22, with school campuses located in Phoenix and Tempe, and a satellite campus in Buckeye. ACCEL’s Adult Services program provides day programming for adults ages 18 and older, through the lifespan. The BISTÅ Center, an applied behavior analysis agency located in Mesa, serves children ages 18 months to 13 years old with early intervention services. For more information, please visit www.accel.org/.
Educational Services
ACCEL School Services provides students ages 5 to 22 with appropriate academic, behavioral, therapeutic and vocational programs to maximize skills and increase independence.
Programming is individualized in a highly structured learning environment with small class size. Intensive, collaborative support services are integrated into daily activities serving students with a wide range of abilities and challenges.
A primary focus is a functional life skills and vocational enterprise curriculum promoting community skills, dignity and independence for all students. ACCEL School Services are located on two primary campuses, as well as, satellite classrooms on public school district campuses.
Adult Services
ACCEL Adult Services is a day program that provides lifelong education and vocational training for individuals over the age of 18 with developmental disabilities, including but not limited to intellectual impairment and autism spectrum disorder.
It is our belief that meaningful activities and learning gives life purpose and allows every person to contribute to their community. We provide programs with structure and security that promote a life of dignity and self-worth.
Some of the skills developed in vocational training include customer service, retail sales, inventory, packaging and shipping. In addition, they learn techniques and procedures to create quality products including designer hat making, custom greeting cards, screen printing, embroidery, and holiday ornaments.
BISTA Center
Behavioral, Intervention, Support, Treatment and Assessment
We provide therapy to assist individuals and their families in obtaining the skills necessary to enrich their lives through ABA-based therapy. We provide services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other behavior disorders, as well as learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities. Home, clinic and community-based programs provide behavioral treatment, basic language and skill acquisition, and social skills acquisition.
Where we work
Awards
Leadership and Innovation in Special Education 2011
National Association of Private Special Education Centers
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) developed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Children, Preteens, People with disabilities
Related Program
Educational Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients participating in educational programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Children, Preteens, People with disabilities
Related Program
Educational Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of adults served through the adult services program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Low-income people, People with disabilities
Related Program
Adult Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of children served by BISTA
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Children, People with disabilities
Related Program
BISTA Center
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Percentage of positive parent satisfaction surveys
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Children, Preteens, People with disabilities
Related Program
Educational Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2020 Parent Survey was not completed due to COVID-19 virtual instruction.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
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?
ACCEL provides educational, therapeutic, behavioral and vocational services to help individuals with special needs develop the necessary skills to learn, to work, and to live successfully with dignity and independence.
ACCEL Goals:
To improve the quality of life, dignity and safety of individuals with special needs
To take a leadership role in the development of innovative programs and services for the special needs community
To work in partnership with families, caregivers, school districts and the community at large to disseminate information, coordinate services and promote awareness of and respect for individuals with special needs
To be a driving force in developing a community where all members prosper.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Each child, youth and adult served in an ACCEL program has a program plan team generally consisting of their parents, Department of Economic Security/Division of Developmental representative, others invited by parents, ACCEL staff, and in the case of school age students, a school district representative. These teams work on behalf of young children, but teams for teenagers and adults work with them to identify their interests, set goals and design programming that will help them reach their goals. Program teams review assessment outcomes and identify target skills to be developed. Daily performance on targeted skills is closely monitored utilizing ACCEL data systems and progress is reported to team members regularly.
Target skills vary, depending on individual needs, but all ACCEL programs utilize intensive, research based applied behavior analysis methodologies, individualized instruction, small group sizes, a high staff to student ratio with a high level of one-on-one instruction, and intensive therapy support.
The program focus for toddlers and preschool age children is developing communication, social, behavioral and academic readiness skills that help them catch up with their typical peers and prepare for successful entry into public school kindergarten.
In addition to communication, behavioral and social skills, 5-10 year olds attending public school programs develop school survival skills that help them succeed in their public school classrooms. Without intensive clinical intervention services, many of these children would likely be referred to a special school, separated from their typical peers. ACCEL's educational program provides educational, therapeutic, behavioral and vocational services for K-12 students on behalf of school districts unable to serve them in district special education programs due to the severity of their disabilities.
A major program focus for high school students and adults in ACCEL's Adult Services program is job skill development, because employment is one of the most serious issues facing individuals with disabilities. ACCEL provides highly specialized job training specifically designed for those with severe disabilities. Job Training is totally individualized and self-paced. Trainees in the highest levels of the program have opportunities to work in community business job training placements with an ACCEL Job Coach, developing skills required for entry level positions in that business. Job Coach support is gradually faded until trainees are working totally under the supervision on community business supervisors. When trainees are ready to enter the community workforce, Job Coach support is provided to ensure a successful transition.
In addition to job training, adults in the Adult Services program have opportunities to continue their education, develop community skills, enjoy recreational activities with their friends and actively participate in the life of our community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
ACCEL was founded in 1980 and has grown steadily in scope and capacity in order to meet identified needs in our community. Many students and adult members have been unsuccessfully in prior programs they attended and ACCEL is known for success with individuals that cannot be served anywhere else.
ACCEL utilizes real life situations to teach and practice skills. Functional instruction is proven to be most effective, and helps learners generalize learned skills to home and community settings when particular skills are called for.
ACCEL has developed a Model Classroom Program©, a systematic protocol for assessing and training teachers in establishing evidence-based practices for classrooms , including the principles of applied behavior analysis, structured teaching methods, effective instruction and classroom management. ACCEL operates a collaborative demonstration of the Model Classroom Program in Maryland with Kennedy Krieger Institute, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University.
ACCEL utilizes highly effective, research based applied behavior analysis methodologies that maximize the achievement of each individual. Each target skill is analyzed to break it down into small, achievable steps, one-on-one instruction is provided on each step, performance is closely monitored and program modifications are made as necessary until optimal learning is taking place.
ACCEL is known for a positive atmosphere that celebrates the accomplishments of every individual, which is the most common attribute mentioned in anonymous annual parent satisfaction surveys.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
ACCEL programs have expanded in scope and capacity in response to identified needs in our community and ACCEL strives for excellence in all program areas. ACCEL's Model Classroom Program utilized in all ACCEL programs was awarded the National Association of Private Special Education Centers' Leadership & Innovation in Special Education Award in 2012. ACCEL celebrated 30 years of service to our community by achieving accreditation from the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services in 2009, the only agency in Arizona to have done so. Reaccreditation was awarded in 2013 and 2017.
The strength of ACCEL programs and the dedication of its highly skilled staff members are reflected in virtually all anonymous parent satisfaction surveys and parent comments are overwhelmingly positive.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
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
- 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.
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.
ACCEL
Board of directorsas of 11/16/2022
Mr. Chris Duncan
FarmerWoodsGroup
Term: 2020 - 2022
Joe Cattaneo
A & C Properties
Caroline A. Pricher
Walton International Group (USA), Inc.
Charles Wanner
GPW & Associates, retired
Christopher L. Duncan
Farmer Woods Group
Julia Kolsrud
May, Potenza, Baran & Gillespie, P.C.
Connie Whalen
Wells Fargo Heritage Marketing & Museums
Scott Taubmann
Innovative Financial Management
Keith Farmer
Former ACCEL Parent
Stephanie Farmer
Former ACCEL Parent
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
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data