POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (SEPTEMBER 16, 2024) – Abilities First, Inc., with funding from the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities, will launch a free, innovative app, named Abilibee, that transforms the ways individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and caregivers navigate their unique journeys from early intervention through adulthood. Abilibee is designed to empower users by putting advocacy, support and resources – that help navigate New York State’s complex and difficult-to-understand systems – right at their fingertips.
“Through countless conversations with parents and caregivers, it became clear that navigating the current system for individuals with developmental disabilities is overwhelming,” said Marcy Handler, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Abilities First, and project lead for Abilibee. ”We wanted to create a solution that would close the gap, providing families with resources they need to confidently advocate and ensure they have access to the support they need and deserve.”
“At Abilities First, part of our mission has always been to empower people facing developmental challenges and their families,” said Jeffery Fox, President and CEO of Abilities First. “The various systems of services and support across New York State can be overwhelming and confusing to navigate. Abilibee represents a significant step forward for New Yorkers with disabilities looking for help and support. This new tool is designed to guide people toward the right resources for their needs and age. With better tools and resources, like Abilibee, everyone has the potential to thrive.”
The Abilibee app is a comprehensive, all-in-one lifeline designed to guide users through critical New York State system changes and life transitions, from Early Intervention to adulthood. Its key features simplify processes and provide essential tools for effective advocacy and daily management. Some key features include step-by-step transition guidance through New York State system changes, a comprehensive resource library, a communication log to keep contacts and notes all in one place, planning tools for effective advocacy, daily check-ins to track progress and well-being, and even positive affirmations to encourage holistic wellness.
With Abilibee, the often overwhelming process of caring for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities is transformed into manageable steps, ensuring no one faces the challenges of disability support alone. It empowers and guides the journey every step of the way. Abilibee, a progressive web app, is a free download and will be available to the public via www.Abilibee.org on September 26, 2024, and is suited for users throughout New York State. For more information or to be a tester of the app today, contact busybee@abilibee.org.
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About Abilibee
Abilibee is a new app for individuals with developmental disabilities and the people who support them. It is designed to aid parents and caregivers throughout stages of early intervention to adulthood with planning tools to help them be a better advocate, notify them to start transition planning activities, and provide contacts and useful information as well as a curated library of resources. Abilibee is available to download via www.Abilibee.org for residents of New York State. For more information, visit www.Abilibee.org or contact busybee@abilibee.org.
About Abilities First
Abilities First, Inc. is a trusted, nonprofit provider of educational, vocational, residential and community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Since 1962, the organization has grown organically keeping pace with community needs and now serves over 1100 individuals with IDD and their families across five Hudson Valley, NY counties and 28 school districts sharing its vision of a world where all people are seen and recognized for their abilities first. For more information, visit www.AbilitiesFirstNY.org.
About the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)
The CDD is a federally-funded New York State agency that carries out its mission through grant work piloting projects that focus on advocacy and system change to promote integration and inclusion in all aspects of the life of a person with developmental disabilities. For more information, visit: https://cdd.ny.gov/our-council
