Ability1st

Ability1st Ability1st provides direct human services with an emphasis on empowering independent living

Ability1st is a United Way Agency that provides the following Core Services:

Independent Living Skills Training
Instruction and skill building for living independently with a disability. Topics can include cooking, budgeting, transportation, and social skills training. Information and Referral
Information and Referral services educate consumers, family, and community members about what community resources are available, as well as coordination of referrals from and to other community agencies or services. Having adequate information and knowing where to go for specific services promotes empowerment. Peer Support
Peer support provides the opportunity for one person with a disability to discuss life experiences with another person with a disability. Ability1st is currently working toward developing a Peer Mentoring Program, which will be made up of volunteers with disabilities. Advocacy
Advocacy is one of Ability1st’s core services and an important part of the Independent Living Philosophy. According to Webster’s definition, being an Advocate means one that pleads the cause of another or one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal. Not only does the agency strive to fulfill this role, but we also educate and train consumers to be their own advocate.

One core service of a Center for Independent Living is making way for independence for persons with disabilities so they...
01/14/2026

One core service of a Center for Independent Living is making way for independence for persons with disabilities so they can engage fully in their communities—and at Ability1st, we’re proud to support that mission every day. We’re grateful to assist individuals who truly embody independence through their diligence and dependability. Our most recent ramp recipient is currently learning English as a second language, but they worked hard to communicate and cooperate with our team, making the entire experience smooth and fulfilling. They raise chickens and work hard to grow their own food, showing a strong commitment to self-sufficiency and independent living. We were happy to help with a new ramp, and they were deeply appreciative of the support. 💙

01/14/2026

Join us this Friday, January 16, from 1-4 p.m. at the Second Harvest of the Big Bend Neighborhood Empowerment Resource Fair at Griffin Heights Apartments! StarMetro will be there to share info about the STAR Program and other public transit resources. 😁

01/14/2026

Exciting News for Florida Health Care! We're preserving and enhancing our HIE services to ensure seamless, patient-centered care across Florida. With no increase in fees, we're expanding our platform with new tools and resources. Stay connected and watch out for updates at our new website, FLHIE.org.

01/14/2026

Brian and Kathryn Ballard's gift is the largest one-time donation ever to FSU Student Affairs. It will help expand the school's Food for Thought Pantry which serves students facing food insecurity.

01/14/2026

For the first time, a Barbie doll with features designed to account for the ways in which individuals with autism experience the world is hitting the market.

01/14/2026

As federal officials look to clarify recent rules designed to bar disability discrimination in health care, a long-simmering lawsuit threatens to invalidate them altogether.

01/13/2026

Human Trafficking Awareness Day, observed every January 11, brings attention to a critical issue often hidden in plain sight. This day emphasizes the urgent need to address all forms of human trafficking, including forced labor, servitude, and sexual exploitation.

We all have a role in combating human trafficking. Discover ways to help prevent it by visiting https://bit.ly/4i9jrDf

01/13/2026

The first generation of senior citizens living with IDD means added demand for group homes and other residential facilities as their families, who often care for them, also age.

01/12/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS for Florida's disability community!
Starting January 1, 2026, eligibility for ABLE United savings accounts expands dramatically—raising the age of disability onset from 26 to 46 years old.
What is ABLE United? It's a tax-advantaged savings account specifically designed for people with disabilities. Unlike regular savings, ABLE accounts let you save WITHOUT losing critical benefits like Medicaid or SSI—no more being limited to $2,000 in savings!
This expansion means 400,000+ more Floridians, including veterans and those with MS, lupus, TBI, PTSD, and vision loss, can now save up to $20,000/year for disability-related expenses like assistive technology, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education.
Since 2016, 18,000+ Floridians have saved $140M+ through ABLE United.
✅ No enrollment fees
✅ No monthly fees
✅ Tax-free growth on qualified withdrawals
✅ Keep your benefits while building financial security
Planning for a loved one with disabilities? Consider consulting with a legal or financial advisor to explore how ABLE accounts fit into your family's overall financial plan.
Learn more: https://www.ableunited.com/age-adjustment-act

Photo credit: Disabled and Here

01/12/2026

One of the nation's most well-known people with autism is being honored alongside notables like famed director Steven Spielberg and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Address

1823 Buford Court
Tallahassee, FL
32308

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 3pm

Telephone

+18505759621

Website

https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/7c16f2ef-c753-476c-a59c-a82190b019de, https://www.amazo

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Our Story

Welcome to Ability1st! We are a community-based organization offering support services, advocacy, and information to empower people with disabilities to live independently. Our programs are designed to target the most vulnerable people living with disabilities in our community, and to provide ways to improve their quality of life. This may include access to affordable housing, mental health and crisis counseling, career development, assistance applying for Social Security benefits, and durable medical equipment loans.

We are a United Way agency celebrating 40 years of service in the Big Bend community.