Ability360 - Phoenix, AZ

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Empowering People with Disabilities for Over 30 Years
1981 – Present

Ability360 (Formerly known as Arizona Bridge to Independent Living) advocates personal responsibility – by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence.  To help consumers achieve self-sufficiency, Ability360 offers comprehensive programs including:

• Independent Living Skills Instruction

• Information and Referral

• Peer Support

• Advocacy

• Home Modification

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Training and Counsel

• Outreach to Rehabilitation Centers and Early Intervention for Newly-Disabled Individuals

• Reintegration from Nursing Homes

• Employment Services

• Social Security Work Incentives Consulting

• Empowering Youth in Transition

• Personal Assistance Services

• Socialization through Recreation

Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center (formerly called SpoFit)

Ability360 is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation.  Through its comprehensive programs, Ability360 touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.

Ability360 began in 1977 as the Arizona Congress for Action (ACA), a group of people with diverse physical disabilities who launched a grassroots effort to educate the community about disability-related issues in Central Arizona.  In 1978, Congress enacted Independent Living Center legislation as part of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  In 1981, Ability360 received funding and began services.

With more than 100 staff members, more than 1,800 personal assistants and dozens of volunteers, Ability360 has offices in Phoenix, Mesa and the West Valley and provides services throughout Maricopa County.

Ability360 programs are made possible through grants, fee-for-service contracts, and individual and corporate contributions.  Ability360’s funding sources include: the city of Phoenix Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); the city of Mesa CDBG; the city of Peoria CDBG; the Arizona Department of Economic Security/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA); the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD); the U.S. Department of Education/RSA; the U.S. Social Security Administration; the Area Agency on Aging (AAA); the Pacific Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center; the Valley of the Sun United Way; and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) / Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) via its program contractors:  Mercy Care; Bridgeway; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan; Native American Community Health Centers, and DDD.