ABILITYFIRST
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Mission Statement
AbilityFirst provides programs to help people with disabilities achieve their full potential throughout their lives. Our person-centered programs empower individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual/developmental disabilities to discover what is important to them and develop the skills that are important for them to achieve their goals.
About This Cause
Formed in 1926 to help children affected by the pre-vaccine polio epidemic, and formerly known as the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California, AbilityFirst pioneered some of the first community services in California for children with disabilities. Over time, programs expanded to provide services for adults as well as children, and to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities as well as physical challenges. Today, addressing growing community need for our programs, AbilityFirst continues to innovate and expand. With an emphasis on person-centered thinking and planning and self-determination, AbilityFirst has recently implemented several new programs for adults: DiscoverAbility (a component of the supported employment program), designed to increase employment opportunities and community engagement; ExploreAbility and PossAbility, community integration programs; and the innovative AbilityFirst College to Career program to equip adults enrolled at Pasadena City College to succeed in their post-secondary education and career goals. Each of these is part of our intentional strategy to offer a broader range of services to empower individuals to participate as fully as possible in their communities. Our programs emphasize each person’s right to make decisions and live the life he or she chooses. They also reflect our belief that all people have the right to feel safe, be healthy, and participate in their communities.