The Board
of Directors of Abilities United, at its March meeting, affirmed its
commitment to begin planning activities needed for the redevelopment of
all Abilities United facilities including a
new, state-of-the-art aquatics center. The existing facilities consist
of three 1960s-era buildings, including the closed aquatic center,
currently serving over 2,500 children and adults, and an administrative
facility built in the 1980s.
The
decision to pursue long-term redevelopment planning came just six
months after the unexpected October 2013 closure of the Betty Wright
Aquatic
Center due to the aging 40+ year-old facility that could no longer be
repaired. That event became a catalyst for Abilities United to
accelerate future plans that had already been under discussion,
following a comprehensive assessment of all its programs completed
in 2011.
“Developing
modern facilities commensurate with the quality of the services the
community has relied upon for 50 years presents exciting opportunities
for innovation and collaboration,” said Board President, Karen Moore.
“This progress and clear commitment will enable the Board, our new
executive leader and our supporters to shape the future together.”
Abilities United is forming a Redevelopment Task Force
focused on the master planning. The organization is also recruiting
for a successor to long-time Executive Director Lynda Steele, who will
retire in June 2014.
United for the Future Campaign Launched
In
addition to launching the facilities redevelopment planning, Abilities United has also completed the initial phase of their “United for the
Future”
campaign to raise $2 million for programs and services that offer
integration and inclusion opportunities for individuals with
disabilities and their families. The campaign was launched in January
2013 and has raised $1.2 million as of April 1, 2014. The
David and Lucile Packard Foundation made a campaign lead gift of
$250,000. Others have also donated to campaign naming opportunities as
well as the general campaign. New programs that will result from this
fundraising effort include “Art for Inclusion”,
“Drowning Prevention for At-Risk Youth”, and service scholarships as
well as Children’s Services staff development training and an updated
accessible playground.
The
entire Abilities United board has contributed to this campaign through
their donations of $134,000 for the new “Lynda Steele Leadership Fund”,
in honor of the retiring Executive Director.
The
remaining $800,000 will be raised through the continued efforts of the
campaign cabinet composed of Palo Alto community members including
co-chairs
Dr. Harry Hartzell and Elizabeth B. Wolf, as well as Shirley Bob, Stan
Parry and Ellen Turbow. Dr. Hartzell states, "I see this campaign as a
way to help provide quality facilities and needed services for people
with disabilities far into the future. As
a medical doctor and as an Abilities United board member, I have seen
the benefits of Abilities United services to the community. It’s been
rewarding to see Abilities United develop and grow though good times and
hard times; it is somewhat of a miracle to
see a service organization like this survive 50 years. I find it
gratifying to use my experience to help provide for the future of this
organization that I have been engaged with for 40 years. As co-chair of
this campaign, I can accomplish something worthwhile
for the future of the Abilities United and people with disabilities.”
The
Abilities United 2014 fundraising campaign will focus on raising an
additional $800,000 with a goal of reaching the $2 million by January
2015. Donations can be made at
AbilitiesUnited.org or for more information contact Carol Lillibridge, Campaign and Planned Giving Director at 650-618-3328 or
carol@abilitiesunited.org
Facilities Redevelopment Planning Begins
Founded
in 1963 by 12 local families as an alternative to institutionalization
for their children with developmental disabilities, Abilities United has
grown to provide a wide range of comprehensive
life-long services for children and adults through education, training
and support services that enable those with disabilities to be
integrated into the community. In addition to aquatics, its current
programs focus on children’s development, family support
and adult services, reflecting a vision for communities in which people
of all abilities learn, live, work and play together. New facilities
will open possibilities to fully realize that vision and create a
national model.
“Taking a
comprehensive approach to planning and design for all our facilities
will leverage community investment and offer the greatest potential for
innovative programs and services to meet increasing
needs,” said Abilities United Board President Karen Moore. “We are
very gratified by the level of interest being expressed by members of
the community and by volunteers who are stepping forward to offer their
expertise and support at this important time.”
Interim Aquatic Services Added to Meet Community Needs
Since the
aquatic center closure, significant progress has been made to provide
aquatic services at interim locations, evaluate options for rebuilding,
and assess long-term related community needs.
The agency has successfully sought several interim locations and new
partners to continue providing aquatic therapy services. At DeAnza
Cupertino Aquatics (DACA), Abilities United offers continuum of care
services, from physical therapy to group rehabilitation
classes. In San Jose, at Timpany Center, hydrotherapy services are
provided to adults with severe neuromuscular skeletal conditions.
In recent
years, the Betty Wright Aquatics Center has offered aquatic physical
therapy, aquatic personal 1:1 training, small group fitness and rehab
classes, adapted aquatics, pre- and post-surgery
services, and an array of services for individuals with chronic,
neurological, orthopedic and developmental conditions; a
curriculum-based, learn-to-swim program from parent/tot to pre-swim
team; and health education and wellness classes for pregnant women.
“This
program has literally been a life-saver for some of my patients,” said
Palo Alto Medical Foundation physician Sal AbiEzzi, MD. Prior to its
closure, the pool at the Betty Wright Aquatics
Center was being used by thousands of community members. As the baby
boomers age, the need for aquatics therapy is expected to grow
significantly. Unlike recreational warm-water pools, a therapy pool
requires a consistent temperature of 93 degrees. In addition
to meeting this standard, the aquatic center named after it’s founder,
Betty Wright, reflected its visionary founder’s advanced understanding
of features that today are known as “Universal” design, ensuring ease of
access for people of all ages and abilities.
1960s-era construction techniques and plumbing were not as advanced,
however, and in recent years, the pool began experiencing maintenance
issues that ultimately led to its closure.
In
addition, a team of students at the Stanford School of Engineering
advised by Associate Professor of Management Science & Engineering
Riitta Katila recently completed a project to examine the
potential for a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient aquatics center.
The group will present its report called “LEED and ADA User Optimized
Design—The Betty Wright Aquatic Center” at Abilities United in April.
Press release written by Wendy Kuehnl, Abilities United Marketing Director
