Supporting people through all aspects of their life 2011 Annual Report to the Community President’s Message As I look back on the past year I am proud to say that at Ability Beyond Disability, we continue to lead the way in helping people with disabilities to live life to the fullest. For that, I am grateful to our dedicated employees, volunteers, donors and partners. With the support of the community, we are growing. We are helping more people and offering more services each and every day. As we grow, we remain true to our founding beliefs that every person deserves a place in our community. Whether it’s helping a teenager who is aging out of the school system to build a life of their own, helping an adult return to work after an injury or helping someone age with dignity in an environment that is caring and warm - Ability Beyond Disability is committed to supporting people with disabilities throughout every stage of their lives. At Ability Beyond Disability we are forging ahead in our commitment to provide the highest quality of services to the growing number of people with disabilities who need our help. With our assistance they can and will achieve their hopes and dreams. The people we serve will have a safe place to call home, the opportunity to earn a paycheck and will age with dignity in the community. Together, with each one of you, we will continue to grow and thrive so that we can meet the needs of all those who look to Ability Beyond Disability for a brighter future. The reason we began is still what guides us. As we grow and evolve we continue our focus on the individual and ensure that each person has the opportunity to live, work and be a part of our community. Warm Regards, Thomas H. Fanning President & CEO About Ability Beyond Disability Mission Our mission is in our name… At Ability Beyond Disability we discover, build and celebrate the ability in all people. History Founded in 1953 by a small group of parents who envisioned a brighter future for their children with disabilities, Ability Beyond Disability has grown into a leading provider of home, health, employment and rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities living in Connecticut and New York. Ability Beyond Disability has become a leading resource for changing lives; helping to make the hopes and dreams of thousands of people with physical and developmental disabilities a reality by providing services that ensure full lives in the community. Vision Ability Beyond Disability will provide the highest possible quality of services to people with disabilities so they can pursue their dreams and lead lives enriched with endless opportunities. 3 President Thomas H. Fanning, President/CEO Treasurer Lori I. Pasqualini, CPA Table of Contents Vice President, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer Secretary / General Counsel President’s Message. 1 Fred L. Baker, Esq. About Ability Beyond Disability . .3 Secretary, Board of Trustees Support When They Needed It Most Jane Davis-Bunt In-Home Services. 6 Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Brian’s Story . 7 FY 2011 Board of Directors Working Towards Success Harvey M. Kramer, M.D., Chairman Justin’s Story . 8 Paul Hamilton, Vice-Chairman Job Training for Young Adults . 9 David Kasiarz, Vice-Chairman Linda C. Berry A Place of Her Own Megan Broderick Courtney’s Story. .10 L. Kevin Cox Residential Supports and Community Activities . .11 Peter D. Davis The Start of a New Life Samuel R. Hyman Samantha’s Story . .12 Joseph Loya George Mulvaney Residential Supports for Young Adults . .13 Arthur T. Rosenfield, M.D. Hard Work Pays Off Candy Shaughnessy Employment Services . .14 Carol Steiner Leon’s Story . .15 Barbara B. Volz Donald Whitham The Whole Package Karin Wiseman Katie’s Story . .16 Horace G. McDonell, Jr. Director Emeritus Holistic Approach. 17 FY 2011 Board of Trustees Aging with Dignity George Mulvaney, Chairman Aging Supports . .18 Gail Hamaty Matthews, Esq., Vice-Chairman Glen’s Story. 19 John Arcario Robert M. Brown Our Workforce David Cappiello Carrie’s Story . .20 Gary C. Dunton Our Workforce . .21 Annie Duren Philanthropy . 22 Steven Finkelstein Gerald Garavel Financials. 23 Greg Moore Thomas L. Ringwald Living Full Lives in the Community . .24 Charles S. Salup Our Donors . .25 Meg Selfe Stephen Tracy Karin Wiseman 4 Jordan B. Young 5 Roy Young Brian age 15 Support When They For Cathleen Sulli’s son Brian, Ability Beyond Disability has made a world of difference. Brian receives Needed it Most In-Home services from Ability Beyond Disability to work on life skills and behavioral supports. Brian is 15 years old and is in his first year of high school. But Brian is not your average teenager. Brian has Down syndrome and is also a survivor of cancer. At three years old, he was diagnosed with leukemia. As a result, Brian has gone through chemotherapy and over twenty-five surgeries. Due to Brian’s developmental disability and having such a challenging childhood, he needs a lot of help with life skills, In-Home Services social skills, and his overall behavior. Often times, families are in need of help to support “Before, Brian had many difficulties interacting with his peers and with being out in the community,” their loved one at home. That support may come in says his mother. “I couldn’t go through the line at the grocery store without a behavior.” the form of behavioral services, life skill development or even respite. The In-Home program at Ability Brian also had difficulty cooperating in school. “It is common that he would sit on the floor and refuse to Beyond Disability is designed to meet the specialized get up,” she said. needs of people with disabilities and their families, and are provided in the family home. Brian’s mother wanted him to be a part of the community, so she began exploring what outlets may be available to help – that is when she turned to the In-Home Services at Ability Beyond Disability. In fiscal year 2011, we expanded our In-Home program and helped 26 people. Staff work together The In-Home staff who work with Brian engage him in recreational activities in the community. They with the person and their family to create often go to book stores, the library and even bowling. The purpose is to get Brian out having fun, but staff personalized goals that support them in reaching also use this time to show him what behaviors are appropriate in the community and how to interact their maximum level of independence. The type with others. Brian’s family and staff members have seen a lot of positive growth. and intensity of services varies depending on each person’s needs and goals. There are a wide variety of supports available including but not limited to: care coordination, menu planning, cooking, grocery shopping, personal hygiene assistance, laundry, “It has brought a world recreation, social skills, family training and of difference. I feel as household chores. In-Home services are available for people at all though the help from stages in their lives. For Ability Beyond Disability, Ability Beyond Disability these services have a great potential for growth in the coming years. has lessened the impact his disability will have on his life,” says Cathleen. 6 Justin age 25 Working Towards Success “Discover, Learn, Work has so many things that can help kids with getting a job and keeping a job. Job Training for Young Adults The thing I like most is that the Staff are very helpful in the way that they teach to make things For any young adult, transitioning from school to for employment, provides volunteer opportunities, seem less difficult. the working world can be both frightening and vocational exploration tours and a hands on I have learned how to use the internet to get job information off the internet. I have since applied challenging. For a young adult with a disability, those experience to learn graphic design and simple for many jobs at local stores and restaurants and have learned what to say in an interview. fears and challenges are even greater, and there is a printing. Ability Beyond Disability is now able to lack of programs available to help these individuals offer these young adults a stable foundation in their We have also done some graphic designs that we would do for Ability Beyond Disability projects transition successfully. At Ability Beyond Disability, community, both at home and the work place. and have learned programs such as Photoshop. we recognize that many young adults with disabilities require specialized career training Roses for Autism The only other thing I can say is that ever since I have been at DLW I have learned that once programs, so we have created two programs that you get a job you need to listen to your supervisor and co-workers. You will go far if you work Roses for Autism is the first social enterprise of Ability address their specific needs: Discover, Learn, Work well with them.” Beyond Disability. At a fully operational rose farm in and Roses for Autism. Guilford, CT, individuals with and without Autism work side by side to grow, cut and sell roses. The Discover, Learn, Work proceeds of the rose sales help to train people with Throughout the past several years, Ability Beyond Autism at the farm so they can eventually work Disability has been recognized for excellence in successfully in the community. providing support to young adults with mental The goal of the career training program at Roses for health needs. Autism is to prepare people on the Autism Spectrum In October 2010, Ability Beyond Disability created for successful employment through hands on work an internship program for Young Adults with diverse experience.