Ability Specialists Inc.

09/04/2026

Wishing our entire Ability Specialists community a safe, restful, and happy Labor Day weekend!

Our offices and day programs will be closed on Monday, September 7, so our team and participants can celebrate and recharge with family and friends. We will resume our normal schedule on Tuesday, September 8.

Thank you to all of our incredible participants, staff, and community partners for the hard work and dedication you bring to our team every day. Enjoy the long weekend!

09/02/2026

We are excited to announce our brand-new volunteer partnership with Soles4Souls. Our participants are stepping up to help sort, organize, and prepare donated footwear and clothing for distribution, keeping usable items out of landfills while supporting global micro-enterprises.

We already have seven enthusiastic volunteers signed up to start working with the Soles4Souls team. This partnership gives our participants a hands-on way to build team skills while making a real environmental and global impact.

Learn more about their mission and our partnership at:
http://www.abilityspecialists.com/abilityblog/partnering-with-soles4souls-sustainability-community

08/25/2026

Fashion can be creative, functional, accessible—and uniquely personal.

Over the past eight weeks, Ability Specialists participants partnered with students from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design on a pilot project centered on person-centered fashion design.

The students spent time learning about each participant’s personality, style, interests, preferences, and accessibility needs before creating customized fashion pieces specifically for them.

The project concluded with a fashion show where participants modeled their designs and celebrated everything they had created together.

We are grateful to the RMCAD students and faculty for bringing so much creativity, compassion, and thoughtful listening to this meaningful collaboration.

Read the full story: https://www.abilityspecialists.com/abilityblog/fashion-designed-for-the-individual-ability-specialists-partners-with-rmcad

08/19/2026

Did you know the Denver Botanic Gardens has a sensory-friendly morning session this Saturday, August 22 from 8am to 9am? Great activity during the cool hours of the summer day.

Learn more and get your tickets!

https://tickets.botanicgardens.org/events/c5236d2e-581a-4adf-8bd3-78acc9853015

08/11/2026

Our participants are finding meaningful ways to use their abilities, build new skills, and contribute to the community.

Through our partnership with A Little Help , participants assist older adults with yard work, light housework, and other tasks that can help them remain safe and independent in their homes.

We have also begun volunteering with Senior Support Services, where participants help distribute food and mail, assist with light outdoor work, and spend time connecting with community members.

These experiences build vocational, social, and life skills while creating a sense of responsibility, purpose, and connection across generations.

We are grateful to both organizations for welcoming our participants and giving them opportunities to make a positive difference.

Learn more about A Little Help and volunteer yourself!

https://alittlehelp.org/

Recently featured on Denver7 News, A Little Help’s volunteer drivers are helping older Coloradans stay independent and connected. Volunteers like Richie make sure older neighbors like Ellie can get to medical appointments, groceries, and community events — while building lasting friendships.

08/05/2026

Hydration may not always be top of mind, but staying ahead of thirst is an important part of enjoying summer safely.

A few intentional habits can make a difference:

Build regular water breaks into the day
Plan outdoor activities during cooler hours
Take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned spaces
Wear lightweight, comfortable clothing
Watch for changes such as dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, confusion, or unusual behavior

Some medications may also affect hydration, sweating, or the body’s response to heat. Families and caregivers should speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist about any individual precautions.

Read more summer heat and hydration tips:
https://www.abilityspecialists.com/abilityblog/stay-cool-and-stay-well-summer-heat-and-hydration-tips

07/28/2026

We have some exciting news to share about how we are investing in the long-term growth of the individuals we serve. This July and August, we are launching a pilot for our brand-new Comprehensive Skills Assessment.

We want to be entirely clear that this is not a traditional test with a pass or fail grade. Instead, it is a collaborative, conversational way for us to get a holistic picture of a participant's current strengths in areas like workplace readiness, daily living, communication, and self-advocacy. By focusing on what our participants can do rather than what they cannot, we can map out a personalized, real-world roadmap for their future.

We welcome the feedback and goals of our families, guardians, and case managers as we roll this out. Read our latest blog post to see a full breakdown of how this new service spotlight will help our individuals thrive.

www.abilityspecialists.com/abilityblog/comprehensive-skills-assessment

07/23/2026

We are currently on the lookout for local businesses and non-profits who are ready to welcome their next favorite volunteer or employee. At Ability Specialists, we connect organizations with dedicated individuals who are eager to bring hard work, reliability, and joy to their teams.

We know that onboarding someone new takes time and coordination, which is why our Job Coaches and Behavior Support staff provide full, hands-on, on-site training and ongoing assistance. We handle the logistical adaptations and support so your staff can focus on building a more inclusive workplace stress-free.

If your organization has a volunteer opening or wants to learn more about joining our partnership family, we would love to chat. You can learn more about how we collaborate and get in touch with us at https://www.abilityspecialists.com/get-involved.

07/15/2026

We had a very exciting reason to turn on the television this past month. Our wonderful participant, Erik Johnson, along with Dr. Manning, represented Ability Specialists live on FOX31 during the 4th Annual Kicks for Colorado telethon.

This massive summer campaign by our partners at Wholly Kicks works tirelessly to provide roughly 10,000 pairs of brand-new shoes and socks to individuals facing economic disparity across Denver and Aurora, including vital adaptive footwear for individuals with disabilities. Erik did an incredible job sharing his support on the air, and we could not be prouder of his community leadership and advocacy.

Head over to our latest blog post to read a full recap of the event, see how our community showed up for the drive, and celebrate this wonderful milestone with us.

www.abilityspecialists.com/abilityblog/erik-dr-manning-wholly-kicks-colorado