There is something in Abilities Network?s vision statement that Homo economicus, profit-driven man, needs to hear ? and it relates to gain being measured in personal development, refinement and compassion, as well as in assets and cash.
“We begin with the premise that everyone,” the statement goes, “including children with special needs, has the right to be part of a community, and that diversity enhances community life.”
By these lights, diversity includes people with disabilities ? autism, epilepsy, Down syndrome, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, learning disability and other disorders ? and to the perceptively named Abilities Network accommodating such disability is not an inconvenience but a route to personal growth and the good society.
“Abilities Network is an organization that provides support to a wide variety of individuals with all types of disabilities throughout the state of Maryland,” said Executive Director Lee Ann Kingham of the Towson-based nonprofit. “Our goal is for people to live independently in their communities.”
Established as the Epilepsy Association of Maryland in 1964, the $8.5 million-a-year, 220-employee seven-office (newest one in Harford County) nonprofit took its new name in 2000 because of expanded services.
They now include: Autism waiver and respite care (Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and Cecil Counties only); financial assistance, support groups, clinic visits, and school advocacy for people with epilepsy; problem-solving, resource referral and homemaking skills, as well as job-finding and placement services for those seeking work; and in-element observation, consultation, assessment and referral services for parents or child care providers of children with special needs.
Additionally, Abilities Network provides a preventive care program, which offers proactive instruction in parenting, healthy child development, healthcare system-awareness, and children?s educational issues to parents with children through age 5.
“All of our work is done out in the community,” Kingham said, stressing that individualized programs and mainstreaming are Abilities Network hallmarks. “We have no on-site work that we do. And that makes us somewhat unique in the disability community.”
“The primary feedback that we get is not only from end users but also from [participating] educators,” said Abilities Network volunteer board Chairman David Paulson, “grateful for the service and for its emphasis on keeping clients at home with in-home services and for tailoring services to meet individual needs.”
More information
» Abilities Network
8503 Lasalle Road, Towson
Executive Director: Lee Ann Kingham
410-828-7700
www.abilitiesnetwork.org
