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.

02/19/2026
02/19/2026

Open the door to your next career. Find a Job in North Florida Now We have seven career centers across the Big Bend where you can find the support you need to land a job quickly. The process to get job placement assistance is easy: Fill out the interest form or attend an orientation on Mondays from....

02/17/2026

🚗✨ Virtual Driving Lessons Are Coming to the Florida Panhandle!

We are excited to work with ASD Drive Ready to bring virtual driving lessons to the Florida Panhandle! Join us via Zoom to learn more about the program and help us choose three locations within the panhandle to offer the lessons. Click on the link below to register.

🚗 Driving with ASD — Parent Night (Zoom) | UCF + FSU CARD Families
Monday, Feb 23 • 6:30–8:00 PM
Register: https://drive26.eventbrite.com
This presentation will highlight strategies that can assist with:
✅ decreasing anxiety around driving
✅ improving focus on critical driving behaviors
✅ learning rules of the road (in a way that sticks)
✅ preparing for driving — whether before the permit or after
We’ll share a clear “readiness-first” approach (what to practice, how to build confidence, and what progress can look like) — plus live Q&A.

URGENT REQUEST: Troy, a consumer we support who lives with a disability, is beginning preliminary screening for a liver ...
02/13/2026

URGENT REQUEST: Troy, a consumer we support who lives with a disability, is beginning preliminary screening for a liver transplant at Shands in Gainesville soon. He has also been diagnosed with liver cancer and has been given 6–12 months to live without treatment. This is a critical moment. Troy is facing overwhelming medical, emotional, and financial challenges, and he needs our help now more than ever. If you are able to support Troy in any way—through donations, resources, or sharing this post—it could make a life-changing difference. 💙https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XGFNA3AUFAZYS. Please let us know if you have any issues with the link. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING TROY! (This post has been fully approved by Troy's family)

02/09/2026

In honor of National Youth Heart Screening Day, one nonprofit partnered with Leon County EMS to offer free heart screenings for students Saturday. STORY (⬇️)

02/09/2026
02/09/2026

Every young person deserves support, safety, and a path forward.

CCYS’s Going Places Outreach program works directly with youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability—meeting them where they are and helping guide them toward stability and self-sufficiency. Whether that means connecting youth to safe resources, creating a personalized survival plan, or supporting providers who need additional help for a youth in crisis, Going Places is there when it matters most.

To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3NQ56AD

02/09/2026

FDDC Connections: Special DD Day Edition is HERE!
This edition highlights DD Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Tallahassee, including the Our Voices Matter: Preserve Our Choice campaign, opportunities to share your story with legislators, 2026 Legislative Priorities, advocacy resources, and details about the new FDDC Weekly Legislative Briefing. Get ready to share your voice and make an impact.
Link in first comment.

02/09/2026
02/06/2026

More people with a severe diagnosis or disability now qualify for ABLE accounts, making it easier to save, invest, and plan for the future without losing important benefits. 💙

See link in bio to read the full article from Yahoo Finance. https://yhoo.it/4rtiRDI

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.