Abilis Opens New Life Skills Program in Wilton

Menumenu

September 13, 2017 | Hamlet Hub

Abilis, the non-profit organization that provides services and supports for individuals with special needs and their families, is opening a new Life Skills program in Wilton at the Trackside Teen Center. The Life Skills Program is designed to help high school graduates with special needs transition into adulthood. The Wilton program represents an expansion of Abilis’ Life Skills program to a fourth location in Fairfield County, so that students can transition within their home communities.

There will be a Wilton Life Skills grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the Trackside Teen Center, located at 15 Station Road in Wilton. First selectman Lynne Vanderslice will be at the event and local residents are invited join in the celebration and learn more about how the program addresses the educational, developmental, and vocational needs of high school transition-aged young adults.
Abilis launched its successful Life Skills Program in Greenwich in 2007. The program was created because high school graduates often came to Abilis unprepared to participate in employment programs. The Life Skills program helps these young adults develop the skills they need to be competitively employed and live more independent and socially connected lives. In order to enable students to stay in the communities in which they live, Abilis opened satellite Life Skills programs in Westport in 2016 and in Stamford in September 2017.

“The Wilton program expansion is in response to requests from parents and school district personnel for community-based options to support students graduating from local high schools,” noted Dennis Perry, CEO and president of Abilis. “Transitions are hard for individuals with special needs, but they can be made easier by keeping individuals in the communities in which they are most familiar.”

“We are very excited to be partnering with Abilis and their incredible program. This is such a wonderful addition to our community and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Mark Ketley,Trackside executive director.

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.

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.

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.

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.