AccessAbililty, Inc. provides immediate work and training for people with severe challenges to employment and other opportunities for people who want to actively participate and contribute to their community. Combining the best elements of a competitive business with those of a social service agency, our model creates long-term, life-changing results for the people and businesses it serves. People who donate time or materials to AccessAbility get a lifelong return on their investment. Every time AccessAbility successfully serves another person, it directly reduces government subsidies that were formerly associated with that person. Business and government customers benefit from flexible and responsive services, on-time delivery and innovative solutions and infrastructure.
Why We Need a New Website
We have a complex organization and need a website to support the complexity and diverse set of primary audiences that we need to appeal to.
We serve people with disabilities of all ages and walks of life. From those transitioning out of high school to working adults or those retiring . . . from people with developmental disabilities from birth to those who experienced having a diability later in life including disabled veterans. AccessAbility also serves refugees and immigrants who need added support to be successfully employed in the U.S.
For people who don't choose to work, but still choose to participate in the community, we offer a variety of programs that include horticultural therapy, a Red Hat Society group for retired ladies, cooking, crafts and other recreational/leisure activities. We even offer our Evening Stars program so people can go out to socialize in the evenings and have fun--kareoke, movie night, bingo, live entertainment, dancing and refreshments are all part of these regularly scheduled events.
We offer competitively priced services to the public in four distinct business segments: (1) Packaging/assembly/contract manufacturing; (2) Document Imaging/Data Entry; (3) Shredding and Disintegration of Paper; and (4) Mailing/Warehousing/Fulfillment. Each business audience in need of our services has a unique requirement(s) and profile. These sections need to have a unified approach, but should appeal to the specific audiences both in terms of graphic elements, text and functionality/navigation and links.
An additional challenge is contrasting the tone and personality of the "Business Services" portions of the site mentioned above with the mission/programs portions. For example, we offer programs for senior citizens who want to retire, for people who are too disabled to dream of self-sufficiency (horticulture, cooking, fishing and other recreational activities/programs), and serve a diverse set of individuals with severe challenges. So, on one hand, we have a desire to show our professionalism and sophistication to those who would buy our services, and on the other hand, we want to show our compassion and dedication to the people who need the work or recreational opportunities. We want all audiences to know that we are in the position to meet their needs and invite them to see for themselves.
Our diverse audiences/constituencies include:
(1) Friends and Families
(2) People who need our services (Consumers)
(3) Donors, Volunteers and Grantmakers
(4) Businesses, Government and Community Organizations (Prospects and Customers)
(5) Social Service Agencies and Government Associations
(6) Alliances, Vendors and Employees
We also need something that can be inexpensively updated in terms of photos, text, events, links, calendars, promotions, etc.
Finally, we need something dynamic that can include items such as: on-line fulfillment capability--including credit card transaction processing capability; search engine-friendly design/developed with CSS language; e-newsletter capability/database links; subscriber capability (opt-in options); Web 2.0 functionality to incorporate a blog and/or other new technology faces; and tracking capability to better manage and market on a regular basis for continuous improvement and site performance and development (areas most viewed, number of clicks overall and by section, etc.)
When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's F1 Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other
AccessAbility really makes a difference in the lives of everyone its programs and services touch. People have a chance to earn a paycheck and feel good about themselves. The first thing someone asks you when you meet them is "What do you do for a living?" It feels degrading when you don't have a response.
Customers love buying services from them is because AAI brings added value for their customers and their customers show more loyalty to them because they care about people who have severe challenges to being employed. It really makes business sense too.
Finally, AccessAbility has a Board and management team that is committed to growing and serving more people every year. It has QUADRUPLED the amount of wages paid and is thrilled about that! A can-do attitude is refreshing and creates long-term vision and results. It strives to be self-sufficient as an organization in addition to striving for self-sufficiency of those it serves. They're deserving of this tool to further grow the reach of their mission and services.
Lisa, an employee
AccessAbility takes on extremely tough challenges in our workforce - creating innovative ways for their clients to contribute as they learn work skills and maintain dignity and respect from their coworkers and families. The result is a new source of qualified workers to help Minnesota compete. Kudos to the dedicated staff and excellent programs!
Jan Jordet - MEDA, economic development colleague
AccessAbility provides incredible opportunities to a diverse set of people who are otherwise marginalized in the competitive world of work, or in standard recreation programs. The staff has created exemplary recreation programs and events which the AAI clientele loves. Their Evening under the Stars events have filled a void, enticing others in the community to attend, such as dances, Italian-themed dinners and others. The work is real work, often in the community, and the organization seeks to increase their compensation.
I've been familiar with AAI for over twenty years, and was very impressed with the changes they’ve implemented and new directions they’ve taken in the last 6 years. They are not a stagnant organization, and their clients reap the benefits. I joined the board two years ago, and find the respect the staff has for their clients and their depth of caring to be exemplary. They take every individual’s uniqueness, as well as their family or living situations into account as they create work or recreational opportunities for them.
I am blown away by the commitment of the staff at every level of the organization, from the President to the job coaches and recreation program staff.
I would encourage you to take on this opportunity to create their website, as you will find there is will find a wealth of material, ranging from personal stories of the clients and the difference AAI has made in their lives, to the Red Hat club the women have started, to their participation in the NorthEast parade (where their float WON the competition) to their greenhouse and horticulture program. There are countless stories. The impact your work could have on AAI, and its clientele would be greatly appreciated, especially as they are carrying out a Capital Campaign to expand their facilities.
Dianne Goodwin, BlueSky Designs, Board member
AccessAbility empowers Somali refugee new arrivals in gaining work readiness skills and become contributing members of society while keeping their culture. Accessability has a unique model for building community capacity through skills development that serves to help individuals prepare for and keep employment; and participate in further lifelong learning activities.
Mohamed Jibrell, Board Director
The ACE program provides opportunities for mentally and physically disabled citizens to interact with the community. As a community, we need to remember that all citizens are valuable. This program also lets these citizens know they are valued for who they are - people. As an ACE program volunteer, I have been touched everytime I have had opportunities to connect with these special people.
Carol Wheeler - volunteer
Ron is brother and brother-in -law to us. In 1959 at the age of 16 Ron's family life changed when his mother suddenly died. For the next 20 years Ron was a resident at a series of state hospital & nursing homes where his physical, emotional and intellectual outlook progressively declined.
Then a miracle happened for Ron when AccessAbility Inc. entered his life. During the years he has been a participant at AAI the staff have been very alert to his special needs. We often refer to AAI staff as Ron's guardian angels as they are alert to proper food preparation, maintenance on his wheel chair, occupational and physical therapy and speech. Because of AAI Ron's quality of life is now better than at any time in the past 40years. He is included in planning and making decisions, takes an active part in his reviews and enjoys receiving a weekly check for his work. The workplace at AAI is clean, bright and there are happy voices throughout the building.
AccessAbility's culture is reflected in these words from a John Denver song.
"I want to live, I want to grow, I want to see, I want to know, I want to share what I can give. I want to be, I WANT TO LIVE.
AALI has also changed Ron's family. We see how happy Ron is and we rejoice are thakful that AAI has its very special mission to help people with disabilities live a fuller and richer life.
Everyone who attends AAI gets this same type of compassionate caring and dedicated attention. AND AN EXPANSION IS IN PROCESS to help even more.
Lee and Rose Hallgren- Brother & Sister-in -law
Accessability is poised for future growth and we need an updated website to support this growth. AAI is unusual in its staff composition in that it combines experienced, caring social service professionals with individuals with strong business and manufacturing backgrounds. Clients benefit from immediate work experience that provides them with a sense of self worth, often leading to financial independence and community participation. We have a significant story of success to tell and an updated website would allow us to vastly expand our community outreach.
Lisa Taylor, Board member
J.R.NELSON & Company has been a Technology Partner with AccessAbilites, Inc. for over four years. During that time we have shared common needs and supplied each other with services that we could not accomplish ourselves. AccessAbilites, Inc. has always displayed deep concern for the customer, and their employees. Reaching NEW prospective customers through a powerful web presence would bring this company into the exposure they deserve.
Jim Nelson, President J.R.Nelson & Co. ( Technology Partner )
At AccessAbility we consider our customer base to be the entire community. The demographically diverse, and changing population of individuals we serve, their families and supporters, our business partners and customers, our funding sources, collaborative partners and the tax-paying citizens of the State of Minnesota make up that community. The Our team of dedicated staff and supporters is committed to reaching out to our local community and beyond to actively advocate for the people with barriers to employment. We make a significant difference in the lives of the people who walk through our door, and we are proud of thework we do forr our community.
AccessAbility, Inc.
360 Hoover Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Our Mission
To explain our mission in more detail, we provide immediate work, training and other opportunities for people with severe challenges to employment or other active participation in their community. We have combined the best elements of a competitive business model with the best of a social service agency to create long-term, life-changing results and self-sufficiency for people. Opportunities offered for people are matched with their skills, desires and goals. Opportunities are created based on what businesses and other community-based organizations need in terms of entry level workers and services purchased. By matching and mirroring needs of the community--businesses and people--we create more jobs and other ways for people to participate and contribute to their community.
AccessAbility, Inc.
