When Abilities in Motion moved into a more spacious facility, it made a promise to the people it serves.
The operators of the nonprofit organization that offers service, education and advocacy for people with disabilities said it would listen to the community it serves. They said they would work to meet their needs.
And one of the most frequent requests they heard was a desire for a place where people with disabilities could enjoy some of the same types of things that other people do.
So, that’s exactly what Abilities in Motion is trying to provide.
The organization is preparing to open a brand new cafe and tech center at its Hiester Lane headquarters.
“When we moved we made a promise to the community and to the people we serve that we were going to be able to offer new and innovative services — things that we have never done before,” said Stephanie Quigley, executive director at Abilities in Motion. “Things that were very much out of our reach and always looked at as aspirational goals.”
Quigley said the new location marks an exciting chapter in Abilities in Motion’s journey, providing the organization with expanded opportunities to innovate and serve its community. The fully accessible building offers space for on-site programming, future growth and community partnerships.
“We want the community to know that we’re not only a resource for people with disabilities, but we are showing people how to be inclusive by incorporating it into everything we do,” she said.
Quigley said the organization renovated the space with accessibility at the forefront of the design process. The mission was to make the facility as welcoming to those with disabilities as possible, she said.
“The feedback we received from the disability community is that they want spaces that offer the same kind of activities that any typical person would be able to enjoy,” she said. “And that’s exactly what we are setting up this facility to do.”
First on that list will be opening a sensory cafe this fall called Rollie’s Place.
Quigley said the cafe will be a sensory-friendly environment designed to minimize overwhelming sensory input — think dimmed lights, enclosed pods, soft noises and calming textures.
She said the cafe will be a gathering space where people with all abilities can come together for support and fun. It will also provide a safe, educational and supportive working opportunity for those who may find gaining outside employment challenging and, oftentimes, uncomfortable.
“This is going to be a really unique place,” she said.
In conjunction with the opening of the cafe, Quigley said the organization is putting the final touches on a 2,400-square-foot tech center tailored for individuals with disabilities.
The space will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore and engage with computers, 3D printers, adaptive gaming consoles and virtual reality systems.
“This is something that will be the first-of-its kind and really has never been done outside of a university setting,” she said. “We really wanted to reach out to the younger folks and let them know that we are an agency that offers service to people of all ages.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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