Hudson Valley Nonprofit Announces App for New York’s Disabled Community

Abilities First, a nonprofit based in Wappingers Falls, has announced that people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers across New York can now download Abilibee, a tool designed to make resources more accessible.

According to the organization’s website, “No matter where you are, Abilibee can help navigate what comes next: from early intervention to adulthood. Abilibee’s planning tools will help you be a better advocate, notify you to start transition planning activities, [and] provide resources and useful information.”

Marcy Handler, the  Director of Strategic Initiatives for Abilities First, says the app will be a game-changer for New York families. “When parents go from one place to the next, they’re often really confused about what they need to know and what they need to do.” The organization won a grant from the state to help solve this problem and, thus, Abilibee was born. Handler explains, “The app is divided into 10 different age groups, starting with early childhood and all the way up to mature adulthood. Each age group has its own focus, whether it’s things you may encounter in the school districts like IEP planning every year, or how to look for a job.”

Handler says that the name Abilibee was chosen because the “bee has been a historic example of a  perfect community and we thought that really summed up what our goal is.”

The app is now available on the Apple store and Google Play.

Note: This article intentionally uses disability-first language as opposed to people-first. There are schools of thought on both but the author’s understanding is that a general consensus from the community is for the former. Please feel free to email annie@wjffradio.org with any questions or comments about this choice!

Photo courtesy of abilibee.org