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By Greg Reilly

Abilis, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities in New Canaan and throughout Fairfield County, is rallying the community to contact their legislators and demand the funding not be cut as proposed by Gov. Dannel Malloy.

The proposed fiscal year 2016 cuts will be voted on Tuesday, March 29 and would be implemented immediately.

 

Abilis asked that people contact their legislators and encourage them to find alternative sources of savings that will protect and preserve services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization and the families it supports hope that personal stories of how DDS support impacts lives coupled with the broader community’s demand that the most vulnerable community members be supported would restore funding to these programs.

abilis.us/advocacy/legislators

Abilis also called for people to travel to Hartford and help lobby during the Vote on the Deficit Mitigation Plan on March 29.

Last week Governor Dannel Malloy released a proposal that could have a dramatic impact on state-funded programs for individuals with disabilities. Malloy announced $17 million in cuts to Department of Developmental Services as part of his plan to address a $220 million shortfall in the budget for fiscal year 2016.

DDS Commissioner Morna Murray also announced that 2016 could mark the first year with no guarantee for services to new graduates / age outs since the inception of the program.

The families most immediately impacted by the proposal are those who are supported in a day program or hope to be, those working towards community employment, those expecting residential support in the future.

For more information, please visit www.abilis.us

800+

People Served

24

Hours a Day

365

Days a Year

70

Years of Service

40+

Homes

400

Staff Members

5

Businesses

80+

Community Partners

Therapeutic Services

Abilis is home to experts who work together to create a cohesive approach to personalized therapeutic care. Our therapies, housed in our Therapy Center, are administered using best practices and are available at Abilis or in the environments you choose, including your home and places in the community where the therapy will be the most effective.

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Life Services

Abilis provides needed supports to people throughout their lives. Our goal is to enhance each person’s quality of life through social activities, meaningful employment and high quality residential services. Our Life Services programs include health and wellness care delivered by certified professionals.

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The Individual Life Plan

The Individual Life Plan (ILP) is our signature service. Abilis works collaboratively with families to assess existing needs, plan for future needs, and create a personalized roadmap for anticipated therapeutic and life skills services for their family member with disabilities. From birth through adulthood to later stages in life, the ILP will help families and individuals with disabilities prepare for and successfully navigate major life transitions.

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Activities

Abilis offers social and recreational programs for children, teens, and adults. These programs range from weekly music, art, and cooking classes to monthly birthday parties with dancing and teen social gatherings with games and pizza. In addition to these regular events, Abilis schedules special outings to New York City and other destinations to enjoy arts events.

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Get Involved

Abilis depends upon dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to provide the wide range of high quality programs and services that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families need to live, learn, work, and enjoy life.

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Mission Vision Values

Abilis provides people with developmental disabilities and their families in Lower Fairfield County with supports and advocacy for building able lives and strong communities.

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