Ability Now Bay Area

Ability Now Bay Area Ability Now Bay Area is a nonprofit org in Oakland, CA serving adults with developmental disabilities

Ready to build your confidence teaching yoga to individuals with disabilities? Join experienced instructors Lin Maxwell ...
06/01/2026

Ready to build your confidence teaching yoga to individuals with disabilities? Join experienced instructors Lin Maxwell and Baxter Bell this October for an immersive weekend workshop designed to help you safely and effectively adapt your classes for diverse bodies.

🗓️ When: October 16 – 17
📍 Where: Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland
🎓 Perks: 13 Yoga Alliance CEUs available
💰 Note: Full and half scholarships are available!
⏰ Registration opens today, Monday, June 1st. Spots are limited—tap the link in our bio to find out more and secure your spot!

[Alt text: A promotional flyer for Ability Now Bay Area on a clean white background.
On the left side, bold blue text reads "YOGA FOR ALL ABILITIES" above orange text that says "A 2-DAY TEACHER TRAINING." Below the title, a brief paragraph explains that registration opens Monday, June 1st, via the link in the bio. A light blue accent box displays the dates "October 16 - 17" and the location "Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland." At the bottom left, text notes that registration opens June 1st and mentions that scholarships and more information can be found at abilitynowbayarea.org/yoga-for-all-abilities.
The right side of the flyer features a large vertical photograph showing a bright room where a blonde female instructor sits in a chair, leading a seated yoga practice. Two individuals using wheelchairs sit next to and behind her, participating in the session. At the very top left of the flyer is the "Ability Now Bay Area" logo featuring a blue stylized figure with outstretched arms.]

05/23/2026

Sunshine, music, dancing, great food, and even better company ☀️🎉 ANBA’s Summer Fiesta was one for the books!

From longtime participants to new faces, the day was filled with laughter, connection, and the kind of community that makes ANBA so special. Huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, supported, and showed up to celebrate alongside our participants.

Moments like these are why we do what we do.

08/29/2025

We’re less than $3,000 away from our $20,000 goal—but time is almost out to help raise critical funds to support our programs this Summer!

Cuts from the new federal budget are already threatening essential supports for people with disabilities, and Ability Now Bay Area is doing our best to step up to fill the gap where state funds are being withdrawn. Programs like Ability Now, focused on providing total care to adults with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy, are not sustainable without a community backing up these important and necessary efforts!

👉 Donate now and help us cross the finish line: www.abilitynowbayarea.org/pride and share the importance of our mission with your friends and family. Your gift today will ensure our participants will never lose the care, dignity, and opportunities to choose the future they deserve.

08/08/2025

Thanks to our incredible donor community, we’ve now raised more than $13,000 toward our $20,000 goal! In honor of Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, we're celebrating the individuals in our programs in the face of unprecedented cuts to federal funding that Americans with disabilities—and programs like Ability Now—depend on! Not only will the money raised this summer help to ensure the future of our organization, but it will allow us to meet the special requests of our participants to further enrich each individual's experience at our center.

Your generosity is already fueling:
💻 Accessible tools and technology
🎨 Creative arts and crafts supplies
🏋️‍♀️ Adaptive equipment for our wellness program
🌟 Special events, outings, and guest speakers.. and much more!

But we’re not done yet! We still need your help to raise $7,000 to ensure our participants’ program requests are funded and our community of adults with disabilities can thrive!

Let’s finish strong and show the world that people with disabilities deserve more than basic care—they deserve opportunity, connection, joy, and the support they need to pursue a future they choose for themselves.

Donate today and help us cross the finish line at www.abilitynowbayarea.org/pride

07/22/2025

This July, as we celebrate Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we’re reminded that disability rights are not guaranteed—they must be protected and defended every day.

Recent federal budget cuts threaten essential programs that serve people with disabilities across the country. For organizations like Ability Now Bay Area, these cuts jeopardize the future of the programs and services we provide that empower adults with disabilities to pursue self-directed, independent, and fullfilling lives.

We’re raising $20,000 this summer to fund participant-led requests, including:

• Accessible tools and technology
• Community outings and special events
• Wellness program equipment
• Arts and crafts supplies for classes
• Support for individual accessibility needs
• Capital support for Entrepreneurs

Your gift this summer sends a clear message: people with disabilities deserve more than survival, they deserve opportunity, community, and joy.

Now more than ever, your support is critical—Donate Today at www.abilitynowbayarea.org/pride

[Alt text: Animated collage of photos reads "Support Ability Now's Unique & Empowering Programs. Celebrate Disability Pride Month by Contributing to the Future of Ability Now Bay Area. Now more than ever, your support is critical—Donate Today! abilitynowbayarea.org/pride"

How better to head into this patriotic holiday weekend than with a brand new Access Pass guaranteeing lifetime access to...
07/03/2025

How better to head into this patriotic holiday weekend than with a brand new Access Pass guaranteeing lifetime access to one of the "best ideas" this country has ever come up with?

Yesterday, we were happy to welcome a representative of the National Park Service to Ability Now Bay Area. Community Engagement Specialist Lucien Sonder gave our participants an informative presentation on the history and purpose of the National Park Service, some of the local and regional highlights, and information on the "America the Beautiful" Access Pass. This free resource for Americans with permanent disabilities provides complementary access to National Parks and federal recreational land to the bearer and those sharing their vehicle.

Afterwards, many of our participants signed up to receive their Access Pass on the spot!

If you have a permanent disability, you can order one for yourself for just a $10 processing/shipping fee at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm or speak to a ranger at the entry gate of most National Parks to receive one for free. Be sure to bring your ID and documentation of your disability to ensure access!

Do you have an NPS Access Pass or Golden Pass? Where have you visited with it? We'd love to hear your stories about the most accessible destinations our participants can use their new passes for!

Ability Now Bay Area seeks a compassionate and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase...
06/30/2025

Ability Now Bay Area seeks a compassionate and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of service, innovation, and growth. This individual will build on ANBA’s legacy while evolving programs, strengthening financial sustainability, and enhancing advocacy efforts for participants and their families.

The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in nonprofit management, operations, service delivery, and fundraising. They will be an effective advocate and collaborator, able to engage local and state agencies, navigate complex funding structures, and motivate a diverse and dedicated staff. For more information, please visit https://abilitynowbayarea.org/get-involved/job-opportunities/executive-director/

LOCATION:

¡ Oakland, California

YOU ARE:

¡ A mission-driven leader with deep expertise in disability rights, person-centered care, and independent living, bringing authenticity and steadiness during times of change.

¡ An experienced executive with a track record of operational excellence, sustainable program growth, and transparent, approachable leadership.

¡ A relationship builder and strategic advocate who expands funding, raises organizational visibility, and builds consensus with clarity and compassion.

· Someone who leads with innovation, joy, and inspiration—fostering a fun, inclusive culture where people feel seen, heard, and motivated to contribute their best.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

Salary: $175,000 – $195,000 annually
Benefits: Competitive package including health, retirement, and paid leave
Remote Work: Primarily onsite; flexibility for some remote work may be considered

EQUITY STATEMENT:

Ability Now Bay Area is committed to building an inclusive and equitable organization. We value diverse perspectives and backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to apply. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TO APPLY:

For more information or to apply for the Executive Director position, please upload your resume and cover letter to https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/cooksilverman/job/oe4h1ub9k1z1ja3r8beiqgwcdo

All applications will be kept confidential, and every applicant will receive a response.

It's been a whirlwind in our Performing Arts class this Spring! Our talented participants are hard at work rehearsing fo...
06/09/2025

It's been a whirlwind in our Performing Arts class this Spring! Our talented participants are hard at work rehearsing for an upcoming play—bringing their courage, brains, and heart to every scene of this classic adventure story.

For many adults with disabilities, chances to shine in the spotlight are far too rare. That’s why programs like Ability Now Bay Area are so important. Our center is a safe and welcoming space for expression, connection, and the joy of creativity.

Keep your oil can handy and watch out for the flying monkeys—we'll be back with more on this and other unique classes at Ability Now Bay Area soon!

04/25/2025

Hear them! Medicare and Medicaid aren’t just programs — they are essential supports that make it possible for millions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live with dignity, access healthcare, and participate in their communities.

We're seeing signs that our voices are making a difference. Thirteen Republican members of the House just sent a letter to leadership, saying loud and clear: “We will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.”

This growing bipartisan support is hopeful—but we can't stop now! Some in Congress are still pushing legislation that could slash Medicaid funding, threatening services that people with disabilities rely on every day.

These cuts would devastate families, dismantle community-based care, and leave some of our most vulnerable neighbors without the support they need.

Now is the time to act. Now is the time to stand with the disability community, share their message, and call your members of Congress and demand they protect Medicaid funding for people with I/DD.

Love is in the air, and we're here for it at Ability Now Bay Area. We celebrated earlier this week with love songs, roma...
02/14/2025

Love is in the air, and we're here for it at Ability Now Bay Area. We celebrated earlier this week with love songs, romantic movies, some passionate snacking, a dance party, and we even had a festive photo booth set up to capture the many forms of love among our staff and participants—from friendship to family.

We wish you all an incredible day of agape, eros, philia, storge, philautia, xenia, and whatever else fills your heart with love! We'll be back in the center Tuesday after the long weekend!

[Alt text: 1. A diverse group of Ability Now Bay Area staff and participants dressed in white, red and pink, gather in front of a Valentine's day banner. 2. Jane (a White woman with wavy light brown hair wearing a red, white, and pink cartigan, seated in a power chair with a tracheostomy tube attached to her neck) & Jamie, a White woman with dark brown hair wearing a grey jacket. Jane's PCA Jasmine stands beside her. 3. Nicole, a Black woman wearing a black beanie and a red sweater, smiles beside Laura, a White disabled & half-blind woman with long dark blonde hair wearing a burgundy top. 4. Andre, a Black man with thick-rimmed glasses wearing a dark red beret and darker red sport coat, stands next to Monique, a Black woman with platinum-blond hair wearing a black jacket over a blue hoodie. 5. Oscar, a Latino man with glasses and dark hair wearing a Kermit-the-Frog shirt sits next to Sarah, a White woman with brown hair and wire-framed glasses wearing a red sweater and a blue beanie. 6. Juanita, a Latina woman with long dark hair, wearing a pink faux-fur jacket over a festive pink outfit. With her are Marlene, a Latina woman with long graying hair and a heavy earthtones jacket, and Erin, a White woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a coral pink jacket.]

Address

4500 Lincoln Avenue
Oakland, CA
94602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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