Universally we believe everyone deserves quality of life
On a micro-level our training and employment programs foster self-worth amongst participants. On a macro-level we serve as a catalyst for social change that builds inclusive communities.
1. We help individuals with disabilities to gain and maintain competitive employment in an integrated setting.
Abilities Unlimited has vocationally rehabilitated over 150 adults classified as having Significant Disabilities and Most Significant Disabilities. Such individuals gained employment and many are still employed.
These individuals have been diagnosed with disabilities that range from developmental disabilities like Autism and Down Syndrome to mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to physical disabilities like paralysis, blindness, and deafness.
These outcomes don’t come overnight. Most of our participants are referred to us with one or more of the following barriers to gainful employment: little to no work history, limited vocational skills, limited transportation skills, a history of chronic medical issues, reliability issues, elementary-level reading, writing, and math ability, among others.
To address some of these barriers we enroll many of these clients in our various training opportunities. Each class is designed to teach our participants how to interact appropriately with others, interview successfully, prioritize their time, explore various vocational interest, set goals, and apply for jobs.
Our staff of Vocational Education Counselors work one-on-one with each client, with the goal of securing competitive employment that matches their interests and skill set.
2. We assist individuals with disabilities to live independently.
Abilities Unlimited offers an array of services to adults with developmental disabilities through its Medicaid Waiver contract with the Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division. We have developed an efficient and holistic model to deliver its services.
This model resembles a learning academy which consists of a daily class schedule that allows its participants to explore their unique interests in a classroom and community-based settings under the supervision and guidance of a trained instructor and with the individualized assistance from a Direct Support Worker.
By electing to attend one or more of these classes, our participants are able to effectively address their various individualized goals, which may include one or more of the following: socialization, budgeting, health, fitness, establishing boundaries, exploring new interests, involvement in the community, and money skills amongst others.
We also ensure that our clients have opportunities to participate in activities in the community, alongside members of the community. We feature yoga, tennis, dance, and circuit training classes on a weekly basis at local district parks. We are committed to fostering social growth in our participants through community involvement.
3. We build communities that empower individuals with disabilities.
By recognizing that students with disabilities were not exiting high school with the skills necessary to gain employment, we can begin to address the issue. An individual with a disability can take 10+ years to even begin training or searching for employment. Abilities Unlimited piloted its Jump Start class designed to each students in the special education system job readiness skills in high school.
The pilot class was recognized as a major success by the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and has since been expanded as a state contracted service to 14 public high schools on Oahu.
We believe in order to create a better future, we need to better prepare individuals with disabilities and employers with skills to work in collaboration. In order to shift society’s perspective of individuals with disabilities, we came to the conclusion that we needed to share our participant’s stories as well.
In 2014, we decided to use film as our medium and launched the Abilities Unlimited Film Festival. This event showcases the struggles and triumphs of various individuals with disabilities in our community. 2015’s film festival was held at Ward Theater, and welcomed over 300 members of our community.