United Ability
United Ability is a Birmingham, Alabama 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1949 that delivers an integrated continuum of medical, therapy, inclusive education, employment, and adult day services to 5,808 children and adults with disabilities across Alabama each year.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What United Ability does
United Ability is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides a continuum of disability services spanning medical care, therapy, inclusive education, employment placement, and adult day programming for children and adults across Alabama. Founded in 1949 (originally as United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham) and rebranded to United Ability to reflect service expansion beyond cerebral palsy, the organization operates through coordinated programs including the Ability Clinic (complex primary and specialty care with UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation faculty on-site), Hand In Hand Early Learning Program (NAEYC-accredited inclusive preschool for children six weeks to five years), United Ability Early Intervention (birth-to-three home-based services), Outpatient Therapy (physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology), Employment Services, the Adult Program at Dr. E's Place, LINCPoint Adult Day Program, Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose (CCEP), and First Teacher Home Visiting Program, together serving 5,808 individuals and families annually.
The organization monetizes through a hybrid nonprofit revenue model combining multi-year Alabama state government contracts (ADRS, DHR, ADECE) for Early Intervention, employment, and childcare training services; charitable donations and foundation grants; sliding-fee-scale clinical revenue at the Ability Clinic; tuition for Hand In Hand; and a social enterprise, Gone For Good (AAA NAID certified secure document and e-waste destruction), operated under United Ability Enterprises. GTM is community-led via healthcare provider referrals, school system partnerships, state agency referrals, employer partnerships, and family word-of-mouth. The proprietary technology footprint is service-delivery-focused rather than product-focused: assistive and AAC devices, specialized seating and sensory equipment, an adaptive playground, and a third-party Fusion Web Clinic patient portal.
The organization employs 101-250 staff across a Birmingham campus and serves a regional footprint across multiple Alabama counties, governed by a Board of Directors with a Foundation Board and Junior Board. Leadership transitioned in April 2021 with Susan Sellers appointed CEO after Lee Yount's interim tenure following Dr. Gary Edwards' 38-year CEO run that ended with his June 2020 passing.
United Ability firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- United Ability
- Legal name
- United Ability, Inc.
- Website
- https://unitedability.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- United Ability is a Birmingham, Alabama 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1949 that delivers an integrated continuum of medical, therapy, inclusive education, employment, and adult day services to 5,808 children and adults with disabilities across Alabama each year.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
United Ability industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Disability Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Assistive Input & Mobility Access (Alternative Keyboards/Mice, Switch Access, Eye Gaze) (EDAFAKAH)
Keywords
Where United Ability is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
United Ability business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Contracts and Grants: Funded by Alabama Department of Human Resources, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), and Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education for various programs including Early Intervention, Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose, and employment services
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting programs and scholarships
- Program Fees: Tuition and fees for Hand In Hand Early Learning Program; sliding fee scale available for Ability Clinic services
- Social Enterprise Revenue: Gone For Good secure document and e-waste destruction services generate employment opportunities and revenue
- Specialty License Plate Program: Alabama specialty car tag program where proceeds support United Ability programs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | First Teacher Home Visiting Program - Free |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hand In Hand Early Learning Program - Tuition-based |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Ability Clinic - Sliding Fee Scale |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Employment Services - Free to Clients |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
United Ability product offering
Product offeringCore offering
United Ability is a nonprofit organization providing a continuum of disability services for children and adults, including complex primary medical care at the Ability Clinic, outpatient physical/occupational/speech therapy, inclusive early childhood education (Hand In Hand), birth-to-three early intervention, supported employment placement, and adult day programs. The organization also operates United Ability Enterprises, which includes Gone For Good, a secure document destruction and e-waste recycling social enterprise employing adults with disabilities.
Product overview
United Ability operates as a nonprofit disability services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs spanning education, healthcare, and employment services. The core offerings include the Ability Clinic providing complex primary and specialty medical care; Outpatient Therapy delivering physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology services; Hand In Hand Early Learning Program (an inclusive preschool); United Ability Early Intervention (birth-to-age-3 services); Employment Services for job placement; Adult Program at Dr. E's Place (life-enrichment day services); Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose (training for community childcare providers); and First Teacher Home Visiting Program. The organization also operates United Ability Enterprises including Gone For Good document destruction services, and hosts community events including the AT Alabama Conference, United Ability Day, and Journey of Hope gala. This is a multi-service nonprofit rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hand In Hand Early Learning Program: Inclusive early learning program for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age, where children with and without disabilities learn together.
- Ability Clinic
- Gone For Good
- Dr. E's Place
- LINCPoint Adult Day Program
- First Teacher Home Visiting Program
- AT Alabama Conference
Products and services
- Outpatient Therapy Family-centered pediatric therapy services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology tailored to children with complex needs. Delivered through evidence-based approaches with individualized treatment plans and caregiver training.
- Ability Clinic Complex primary care and on-site specialty care services for children and adults with disabilities or complex medical conditions. Includes pediatric and adult primary care, rehabilitation medicine, orthotics and prosthetics, optometry, care coordination, and behavioral health consultation.
- Hand In Hand Early Learning Program Inclusive early learning program for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age where children with and without disabilities learn, play, and grow together. NAEYC nationally accredited, operated in a state-of-the-art facility.
- United Ability Early Intervention Early intervention program serving children from birth to age three with disabilities. Provides family-centered, home-based services including therapy and caregiver training at no cost to families.
- United Ability Employment Services Employment placement and support services connecting individuals with disabilities to community jobs. Includes one-on-one support, job coaching, pre-hire training, resume assistance, and ongoing job support. Free to clients, funded by ADRS.
- Adult Program at Dr. E's Place Life-enriching day program for adults aged 21 and over with developmental disabilities. Offers life skills training, community outings, recreation, pre-vocational skills, workplace readiness, computer training, and work-based learning. Includes professional services such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
- Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose (CCEP) State-wide quality enhancement training initiative for childcare settings. Provides free training, consultation, and onsite technical assistance to community childcare teachers on inclusive practices for children with special needs. Serves Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker, and Chilton Counties.
- First Teacher Home Visiting Program Free home-based services program for families with children ages birth to five who have diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays, or need extra support. Offers training in parent-child interaction, parenting skills, child development, and developmental/health screenings.
- Gone For Good AAA NAID certified secure document and e-waste destruction company offering off-site mobile shredding and electronic recycling services. Social enterprise providing employment for adults with disabilities.
- United Ability Online Store Online merchandise store featuring collaborations with Life Is Good. A portion of sales supports programs for people with disabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5,808 individuals and families served annually across all programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use United Ability
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
United Ability technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
United Ability partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS)corePrimary funder for employment services programs including Job Exploration Training (JET) summer program. Refers individuals with disabilities to United Ability Employment Services for job placement support.
- Alabama Department of Human ResourcescorePrimary funder for Childcare Enhancement with a Purpose (CCEP) statewide quality enhancement training initiative for childcare settings.
- Alabama Department of Early Childhood EducationcorePartner in funding and program support for First Teacher Home Visiting Program serving families in Jefferson, Blount, and Cullman Counties.
- UAB Department of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationcoreFaculty physicians provide Pediatric and Adult Rehabilitation Medicine services at the Ability Clinic through on-site specialty care.
- UAB School of OptometrycoreFaculty provides optometry evaluations at Ability Clinic for children and adults with disabilities.
- Hanger CliniccoreProvides orthotics and prosthetic services on-site at Ability Clinic, enabling coordinated care for patients requiring mobility devices.
- The Eyesight Foundation of AlabamaminorSponsors vision clinic services at Dr. E's Place Adult Program, providing eye exams and care for adults with disabilities.
- Hand in PawminorPet-assisted therapy provider offering animal-assisted interventions as part of recreational and therapeutic activities at Adult Program.
- Special EquestriansminorTherapeutic horseback riding program partner offering equestrian therapy as part of recreational activities.
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) NetworkminorAffiliated with United Cerebral Palsy national network; previously known as United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham.
- Ross Bridge ResortminorEmployer partner utilizing United Ability employment services for job placement; reported 9 out of 10 referred candidates receive job offers.
- ABM HealthcareminorEmployer partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through United Ability job placement services.
- Alabama PowerminorEmployer partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- American EagleminorEmployer partner providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Thompson MotorsminorLocal auto dealership in Oneonta participating in Summer JET program for students with disabilities.
- UAB St. Vincent's BlountminorHealthcare employer partner hosting Summer JET program participants for work experience.
- Medical Properties TrustminorCorporate sponsor of inaugural Journey of Hope fundraising event.
- BB&T Lighthouse ProjectminorVolunteer group that contributed to construction and maintenance of Hand In Hand outdoor classroom and garden.
- BBRCminorContributed to outdoor learning center development at Hand In Hand program.
- St. Vincent's Foundation of AlabamaminorCEO Susan Sellers previously served as President; strategic alignment in healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
United Ability competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing athletic training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, with substantial direct-service programming. Comparable audience and donor base, though mission is sports-focused rather than therapeutic/educational.
- Easterseals: National nonprofit federation providing disability and community services including early intervention, inclusive education, therapy, and employment supports. Highly comparable mission and service mix to United Ability, but operates a multi-state affiliate network with substantially larger scale.
- AbilityOne Program: Federal program that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through contracts with nonprofit agencies. Closest policy/government employment-program peer to United Ability's Employment Services and United Ability Enterprises.
Direct peers
- Goodwill Industries International: Federated nonprofit operating employment placement, job training, and social enterprise programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Direct overlap with United Ability Employment Services and the Gone For Good social enterprise.
- The Arc of the United States: National nonprofit providing advocacy and direct services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including early intervention, employment, and community living supports. Closest mission peer to United Ability's lifespan continuum of care for individuals with IDD.
- United Cerebral Palsy (National): United Ability is itself an affiliate of the UCP national network (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham). UCP affiliates deliver assistive technology, early intervention, therapy, and employment services, making the national organization a directly comparable peer.
Regional players
- Birmingham's Exceptional Foundation: Birmingham-based nonprofit providing social and recreational programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Regional peer to United Ability's Dr. E's Place and LINCPoint adult day programs.
- Glenwood: Birmingham, Alabama-based nonprofit serving children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health needs through residential, day, education, and therapy services. Direct regional competitor for the same Alabama disability-services donor and government funding pools.
Others
- National Down Syndrome Society: National advocacy and direct-service nonprofit for individuals with Down syndrome, including employment programs, education, and community inclusion initiatives. Adjacent mission overlap with United Ability's Down syndrome and developmental disability services.
Emerging players
- Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with United Ability's Employment Services and adult day programming in its IDD employment mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
United Ability social profiles
Digital presenceUnited Ability compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
United Ability financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
United Ability leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
United Ability subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
United Ability funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
United Ability M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about United Ability
What does United Ability do?
United Ability is a nonprofit organization providing a continuum of disability services for children and adults, including complex primary medical care at the Ability Clinic, outpatient physical/occupational/speech therapy, inclusive early childhood education (Hand In Hand), birth-to-three early intervention, supported employment placement, and adult day programs. The organization also operates United Ability Enterprises, which includes Gone For Good, a secure document destruction and e-waste recycling social enterprise employing adults with disabilities.
Is United Ability a public or private company?
United Ability is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was United Ability founded?
United Ability was founded in 1949. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is United Ability based?
United Ability is headquartered in Birmingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does United Ability make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts and Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, program Fees, social Enterprise Revenue and specialty License Plate Program.
Who are United Ability's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Special Olympics, Easterseals and AbilityOne Program. Direct peers are Goodwill Industries International, The Arc of the United States and United Cerebral Palsy (National). Regional players are Birmingham's Exceptional Foundation and Glenwood. National Down Syndrome Society is listed as an others. Best Buddies International is listed as an emerging player.
Does United Ability have an API?
No public API is recorded for United Ability.
What industry is United Ability in?
United Ability's product category is Nonprofit Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech), with a secondary code of HLADABAJ, Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.