We continue our spotlight on Arizona nonprofits with Ability360’s president and CEO Christopher Rodriguez to learn more about the important programs his organization provides to people with disabilities.
Can you tell us about Ability360’s mission?
Ability360 is a nonprofit organization that offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community. We are one of five Centers for Independent Living in Arizona, and the largest center in the state. Ability360 advocates personal responsibility – by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence. Programs are designed to help consumers achieve self-sufficiency.
How does your life experience inform your work at Ability360?
I am the younger sibling to my brother, T.J., who was born with fairly significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. Growing up alongside a sibling with disabilities provided me a somewhat unique vantage point to witness many of the unfortunate barriers and challenges that face individuals with disabilities in their everyday lives. While I do not have the lived perspective that those with disabilities have, I try to use my experience as a sibling as a starting point to better understand the population that I have dedicated my professional life to serve.
How are some of the ways Ability360 has helped people with disabilities?
There are many instances where someone experiences an event (maybe a car accident or stroke) which leaves them in a situation where they are unable to physically and/or safely access their home. Ability360 has a home-modification program that allows us to examine the home, make recommendations on how to modify the home and then move forward with modifications. We have seen on more than one occasion where an individual, due to their disability, can no longer access their bathroom and therefore must bathe or shower outside in their backyard for months at a time. We have been able to modify their bathroom (at no cost to them) with grab bars, roll-in showers and lifted toilets so that they no longer need to bathe outdoors in the open.
What are some of the volunteer opportunities available?
We extend an invitation to community members to visit our campus and to consider volunteering at one of our many events or become involved with a [specific] program. While we have programs focused on employment opportunities, legislative advocacy, home modifications, homecare and much more, we often need help with our Sports & Fitness Center, where we offer numerous adaptive sports tournaments and competitions year-round that require plenty of help. You can find all of our volunteer opportunities on our website.
What are some of the challenges Ability360 faces?
Ability360 is always looking for different ways to become more visible in the community. We work hard to help [people] understand the comprehensive support and services that we offer (most at no cost). In doing so, we encourage people to spread the word about our organization, visit our website and follow us on our various social media platforms. Additionally, in order to best understand and meet the needs of people with disabilities, our board of directors and staff are mandated to be comprised of at least 51 percent people with disabilities. To that end, we are always looking for people with disabilities who might be interested in working at Ability360, and people with disabilities who might be interested in serving on our board of directors. If that sounds like you, please contact us to learn more.
What would you like people to know about Ability360?
We also have events and classes for children and youth through our summer camps, sports teams and 360Youth program, which helps with career exploration and job readiness services for students with disabilities as they prepare for their future employment. Ability360 has offices throughout the state.
For more information, visit ability360.org.
