AbilityPoint makes a difference in the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1953, AbilityPoint has promoted their general welfare, fostered the development of programs on their behalf and increased the public’s awareness and acceptance.
History & Mission
AbilityPoint began in 1953 when parents concerned about services and future opportunities for their children formed The Wichita Association for Retarded Children. This organization, a United Way member agency, was the first in this county to promote the general welfare of all persons with intellectual disabilities, to foster the development of programs on their behalf, and to increase the public’s awareness and acceptance.
AbilityPoint’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, providing educational and social opportunities to enhance development of individual potential while advocating for supports and services in the community. AbilityPoint, through its seven major programs and hundreds of annual events, provides programs and services for more than 2,700 individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down Syndrome, Autism, Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy and their families.
AbilityPoint is unique among organizations in Sedgwick County in responding to the needs of persons intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. AbilityPoint often provides the first and most continuous lifeline for these community members. The combination of parent and professional assistance offered by AbilityPoint provides emotional support, accurate information, and direct services that enable families to meet their parenting responsibilities. AbilityPoint is more than a service agency. It functions as a genuine community for children and adults with IDD and their families. In short, the work of AbilityPoint provides thousands of Sedgwick County residents the opportunities and means to be valuable, contributing participants in our community.
AbilityPoint is one of over 700 chapters of The Arc in the United States dedicated to advocacy and support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
