• Age Groups
    • Youth
    • Teen
    • Adult
  • Programs
    • Adult Activity Days
    • Camp Ability
    • Circle of Friends
    • Lunch Bunch
    • Mini Tours
    • Miss Unstoppable
    • School Break
    • Shooting Stars (Self Advocates)
      • Targeted Case Management
    • Shine
    • Youth Activity Days
    • YESS
  • Pages
    • Events
    • Get Involved
    • Give
    • About Us
    • Schedules and Forms
    • Contact Us
    • Services
Ability Point, Header Logo

(316) 943-1191

Donate
You can improve the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your donation will help us provide more than hundreds of programs this year for thousands of individuals and their families.
Learn More Donate Now
Search Our Site

AbilityPoint to celebrate 70-years of service

January 5, 2023

It all began, in 1953, when forward-thinking parents placed an ad in the newspaper looking for other families who had children with intellectual and or developmental disabilities (IDD) searching for support, direction and hope. From this gathering they began one of the first chapters in…

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • AbilityPoint to celebrate 70-years of service
January 5, 2023
AbilityPoint to celebrate 70-years of service

Founded in 1953 - Celebrating 70-years of Service

It all began, in 1953, when forward-thinking parents placed an ad in the newspaper looking for other families who had children with intellectual and or developmental disabilities (IDD) searching for support, direction and hope.

From this gathering they began one of the first chapters in the Country of the newly formed ARC of the United Sates and soon created the first preschool in Kansas for children with a disability and in 1956 socialization and recreation programs were added.

“Back then families only had two options,” said Kevin Fish, executive director. “Their children could be sent away to live in an institution, or they could keep their child at home with little or no support for the family”.

Children living with an IDD were not yet allowed in schools and there were no employment opportunities for adults.

“It’s hard to imagine today what those parents went through back then when there just were not any options and little to no public/community understanding or support. These founding families wanted to change all that and they did,” Fish said.

That same vision 70 years ago continues to guide unique and innovative programs and activities for individuals of all ages and their families.

Today AbilityPoint is the largest provider of targeted case management services in Kansas services and continues to provide unique educational and social programs that promote, sustain and improve social skills, independent living, physical and mental health.

“It is more than that, we promote self-advocacy, and building self-confidence and one of our main program goals is to increase the public’s awareness and acceptance, too,” Kristen Phillips, Director of Operations said.

In 2023, AbilityPoint will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Miss Unstoppable and the 35th anniversary of YESS.

 

1953 – Formed and Chartered

1954 – Created first preschool for children with an IDD in Kansas

1956 – Began recreation and socialization programs for teens

1960 – Established Camp Wonderful known today as AbilityCamp

1962 – Established first sheltered workshop in Kansas – became KETCH in 1965

1968 – Preschool spun off to Starkey

1978 – Began mini tours and travel programs

1988 – Established Youth Education and Summer Socialization (YESS) Program

1992 – Created first external targeted case management program in Kansas

1998 – The popular Wichita Holiday tradition drive thru lights display begins

2005 – Began Circle of Friends mentoring program

2013 – Created adult mentoring program

2019 –  Adult Days – Tier 0 programming introduced

2021 – Changed name to AbilityPoint and established CREW teaching personal finance and independent living skills

Previous Story
Next Story
  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • History and Mission
    • Management Team
  • Programs
    • Schedules and Forms
    • Services
  • Targeted Case Management
  • Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Aug 13
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Event Series

Lunch Bunch

View Calendar
  • Get Involved
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Employment
    • Give
footer-images

2919 W. 2nd St, Wichita, KS 67203
Phone: (316) 943-1191, Fax: (316) 943-3292

Ability Point, Footer Logo
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

©2025 All Rights Reserved. AbilityPoint, Inc., an Affiliated Chapter of The Arc of the United States

FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagramYouTube