ABILITIES, INC. OF FLORIDA
Abilities of Florida is a Clearwater-based, private, nonprofit and charitable organization that provides vocational evaluation, skills training, transitional living, and job placement services to persons with disabilities throughout the Tampa Bay area and South Florida.
Among those served are persons with epilepsy, diabetes, blindness, deafness, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, heart conditions, quadriplegia, substance abuse problems, depression, and schizophrenia. Also served are disabled veterans, older workers, single parents with dependent children, and school-aged youngsters.
Nowhere in the United States are these services more critical than in the Tampa Bay area, which Census Bureau figures reveal has the highest concentration of disabled people in the nation.
Since its inception in 1959, Abilities has helped thousands of people obtain mainstream jobs and lead more productive community lives. Last year alone, 489 graduates obtained employment in a variety of service, professional, and manufacturing occupations with 426 different companies. The starting salaries for these jobs exceed $7.4 million!
Over the past five years, Abilities has placed more than 2,300 graduates in mainstream jobs, the combined annual salaries for which total $26 million! Prior to entering Abilities, the vast majority of these graduates were dependent upon families or government for support; today, they are proud wage-earners who are contributing to the life and strength of their communities.
Scores of people with brain injuries and spinal cord injuries -- for whom recovery and learning to live more independently are primary objectives -- also made a successful transition from nursing homes and hospitals into apartments and residences in their communities.
In Fiscal Year 1997...
489 individuals obtained employment as well-paid computer programmers, data-entry operators, word processors, and computer-aided drafters with 426 different companies
$7.4 million was added to the local economy by these new wage earners, the overwhelming majority of whom were receiving government or family support prior to entering Abilities
Since 1993...
2,300 graduates have been placed in local business and industry at a combined annual starting salary of over $26 million!
Job seekers were not the only beneficiaries of Abilities' efforts. Scores of people with brain and spinal cord injuries -- for whom recovery and learning to live more independently are primary objectives -- also made a successful transition from nursing homes and hospitals into apartments and residences in their communities. Armed with confidence and enthusiasm, they are now poised to further their career and life goals.
Abilities has received national recognition for its innovative leadership in the field of rehabilitation, including the first place prize in the J.M. and Dole Foundations' Search for Excellence.
Your support of Abilities is your assurance that a physical or psychological disability will not stand in the way of a fellow human being's quest to obtain employment and become a productive and self-sufficient member of our community.
The main campus of Abilities is located at 2735 Whitney Road, Clearwater, Florida. Situated on approximately 10 acres, it consists of a 36,000 square foot building, a 3,000 square foot building, six and 13-bed transitional living facilities, and 3,000 square foot day center. Abilities also has facilities in Tampa and South Miami.
2735 Whitney Road
P.O. Box 4010
Clearwater, FL 33758-4010
(813) 538-7370