Abilities United Year-long Campaign Celebrates 50 Years of Inclusion and Contribution in the Local Community

1. Abilities United Press Release
Wendy Kuehnl
Abilities United
Marketing Director
Wendy@AbilitiesUnited.org
(P) 650-618-3319 (F) 650-855-9710
www.AbilitiesUnited.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abilities United Year-long Campaign to Celebrate 50 Years of Inclusion and Contribution in the
Local Community
Palo Alto, CA –Wednesday, November 28, 2012
On December 3, Abilities United begins the celebration of its 50th Anniversary concurrent with the
International Day of People with Disabilities, a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an
understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
Abilities United began in 1963 as a small nursery school founded by twelve Palo Alto families for their
children with developmental disabilities. Since then, the agency has continued to be a critical lifeline for
families throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. For years, they have served thousands of children
and adults, helping them with their personal development and integrating them into the community.
Lynda Steele, Abilities United’s Executive Director, provides this perspective. “At one point,
institutionalization was the only option for children with disabilities. But over the past 50 years, we have
developed a wide range of comprehensive life-long services through education, training, and supports that
enable those with disabilities to be a part of the community. In creative and positive ways, we have worked
hard to eliminate the barriers that prevent individuals from attaining the best life possible.”
The agency will be telling its story of inclusion in a number of events, shows, and webinars with community
partners through the year. The campaign’s inaugural event will be an art exhibit hosted at the Microsoft retail
store at the Stanford Shopping Center from Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7. Original
works of art from local artists who are participants of the agency will be on exhibit and available for purchase.
According to Michael Solari, Microsoft executive: "At Microsoft, we strive to help people around the
world realize their full potential. By hosting an art exhibit with Abilities United, we are able to jointly
celebrate the artistic accomplishments of their participants. And since technology has greatly improved the
inclusion and contribution of all in our community, the Microsoft team will be hosting a variety of technology
classes throughout the week for children and adults of all abilities."
Beginning December 3, Abilities United will also launch their “50 Successes/50 Stories” campaign, publishing
compelling personal stories to illustrate the accomplishments of people of all abilities over the past 50 years.
Each week, a new story will be distributed through social media as well as posted on the agency web site. In
addition, the agency is asking people throughout the community to join the conversation and submit their
stories online. Bob Thomas of Mountain View, who first volunteered for the agency in 1978 when he was 18
years old, collected the 50 individual stories in support of the 50th Anniversary campaign.
525 East Charleston Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-494-0550
FX 650-855-9710
www.abilitiesunited.org

2. Abilities United Press Release
Looking to the future, Abilities United will continue their commitment to people with disabilities. They look
forward to the time when all barriers –both attitudinal and physical--for people with disabilities will truly
come down.
According to Dr. Heidi Feldman, Abilities United Board President, “We are driven to continue our leadership
role in full community inclusion and universal contribution – a mission not yet completed – while expanding
our capability to serve more children, adults, families, and community partners. We seek to influence a wider
community in our state and nation through training, research, and dissemination of inclusionary services that
work. Please join us in this mission.”
About Abilities United:
Abilities United (founded as C· A ·R) www.AbilitiesUnited.org is a United Way Affiliated Agency and a not-
for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization for children and adults with developmental disabilities (intellectual disability,
cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions causing developmental
delays) and other disabilities who live in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Each year, over 2,500
individuals and their families use their training, education and support services including Milestones
Preschool which is an inclusive preschool open to children 2-5 years old of all abilities and the indoor, 93
degree wheelchair accessible pool for people of all ages, with and without disabilities.
About the Microsoft Retail Store:
From computers and software to games, music and phones, customers will have access to it all at the
Microsoft retail store. The Microsoft retail store offers an edited assortment of best-in-class products,
including Windows 8 PCs, Windows Phones, Kinect for Xbox 360, Office 2010 and more. Customers can
learn new technology skills in the store’s theater space and work with employees for personalized PC setup
and training, and small business owners have a local resource for all of their IT and business needs. For a
complete list of stores or for more information, visit www.MicrosoftStore.com or follow the Microsoft Store
Facebook page.
Images available upon request
525 East Charleston Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-494-0550
FX 650-855-9710
www.abilitiesunited.org