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Today, AbilitiesUnited begins the celebration of its 50th Anniversary concurrent
with the International Day of People with Disabilities, a United Nations sanctioned day that
aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage
support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
Abilities Unitedbegan in 1963 as a small nursery school founded by twelve Palo Alto families for
their children with developmental disabilities. Since then, the agency has continued to be a critical
lifeline for families throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. For years, they have served thousands
of children and adults, helping them with their personal development and integrating
them into the community.
Lynda Steele, Abilities United’s Executive
Director, provides this perspective. “At one point, institutionalization was
the only option for children with disabilities. But over the past 50 years, we
have developed a wide range of comprehensive life-long services through
education, training, and supports that enable those with disabilities to be a
part of the community. In creative and positive ways, we have worked hard to
eliminate the barriers that prevent individuals from attaining the best life
possible.”
The agency will be
telling its story of inclusion in a number of events, shows, and webinars with
community partners through the year. The
campaign’s inaugural event will be an art exhibit hosted at the Microsoft retail
store at the Stanford Shopping Center from Monday, December 3 through Friday,
December 7. Original works of art from local artists who are participants of
the agency will be on exhibit and available for purchase.
According to Michael
Solari, Microsoft Community Development Specialist: "At Microsoft,
we strive to help people around the world realize their full potential. By
hosting an art exhibit with Abilities United, we are able to jointly celebrate
the artistic accomplishments of their participants. And since technology has
greatly improved the inclusion and contribution of all in our community, the
Microsoft team will be hosting a variety of technology classes throughout the
week for children and adults of all abilities."
Beginning December
3, Abilities United will also launch their “50 Successes/50 Stories” campaign,
publishing compelling personal stories to illustrate the accomplishments of
people of all abilities over the past 50 years. Each week, a new story will be distributed through social
media as well as posted on the agency web site. In addition, the agency is asking people throughout the
community to join the conversation and submit their stories online. Bob Thomas
of Mountain View, who first volunteered for the agency in 1978 when he was 18
years old, collected the 50 individual stories in support of the 50th
Anniversary campaign.
Looking to the
future, Abilities United will
continue their commitment to
people with disabilities. They
look forward to the time when all
barriers –both attitudinal and physical--for people with disabilities will
truly come down.
According to Dr.
Heidi Feldman, Abilities United Board President, “We are driven to continue our
leadership role in full community inclusion and universal contribution – a
mission not yet completed – while expanding our capability to serve more
children, adults, families, and community partners. We seek to influence a wider community in our state and
nation through training, research, and dissemination of inclusionary services
that work. Please join us in this mission.”
Submitted by Wendy Kuehnl, Abilities United Marketing Director
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