Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL)

Independent living and advocacy by, and for, people with disabilities.

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) is Arizona’s largest center for Independent Living. ABIL offers and promotes programs designed to empower people with disabilities to take personal responsibility so they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.

ABIL is one of five centers for independent living in Arizona. There are more than 600 centers across the country dedicated to equal opportunity and full inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of community life.

About ABIL

ABIL advocates personal responsibility – by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence. To help consumers achieve self-sufficiency, ABIL offers a number of comprehensive programs.

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) advocates personal responsibility - by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence.  To help consumers achieve self-sufficiency, ABIL offers comprehensive programs including:

• Independent Living Skills Instruction
• Information and Referral
• Peer Support
• Advocacy
• Home Modification
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Training and Counsel
• Outreach to Rehababilitation Centers and Early Intervention for Newly Disabled Individuals
• Reintegration from Nursing Homes
• Employment Services
• Social Security Work Incentives
• Empowering Youth in Transition
• Personal Assistance Services, and
• Social Recreational Programs

Through its comprehensive programs, ABIL touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.

ABIL began in 1977 as the Arizona Congress for Action (ACA), a group of people with diverse physical disabilities who launched a grassroots effort to educate the community about disability-related issues in Central Arizona.  In 1978, Congress enacted Independent Living Center legislation as part of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  In 1981, ABIL received funding and began services.

With more than 80 staff members, more than 1,600 personal assistants and dozens of volunteers, ABIL has offices in Phoenix, Mesa and the West Valley and provides services throughout Maricopa County.

ABIL programs are made possible through grants, fee-for-service contracts, and individual and corporate contributions.  ABIL's funding sources include: the city of Glendale Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); the city of Phoenix CDBG; the city of Mesa CDBG; the city of Peoria CDBG; the Arizona Department of Economic Security/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA); the Arizona Division of Development Disabilities (DDD); the U.S. Department of Education/RSA; the U.S. Social Security Administration; the Pacific Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center; the Valley of the Sun United Way; Maricopa Managed Care System; Mercy Care; Evercare; the Arizona Commission on the Arts; and the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.

 ABIL is an equal opportunity employer.