What Ability Now Bay Area does

Ability Now Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered at 4500 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California, that delivers a multi-program service portfolio to adults with developmental and physical disabilities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Founded in 1939 as the Spastic Children's Society of Alameda County and rebranded to its current name in 2015, the organization operates an integrated platform of programs — Adult Education, the Laura Long Technology Center (30 adaptive workstations), Health and Wellness (including adaptive yoga, Feldenkrais, and massage therapy), the Small Business Development Center (Cornerstone Program) with an Ability Write Now sub-program, Community Integration, and Online Classes delivered via Zoom. Programmatic differentiation comes from the breadth of services offered under one roof and from specialized adaptive technology infrastructure, rather than proprietary software products.

Revenue is generated primarily through California Regional Center funding (predominantly the Regional Center of the East Bay, RCEB), supplemented by individual donations and a vehicle donation program operated in partnership with Car Donation Services, Inc. The organization states that 88% of expenditures go to program services, 10% to administration, and 2% to fund development, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (15-25 voting members) under Executive Director Amanda Eicher. Go-to-market is community-led: participant intake is driven by Regional Center referrals, complemented by website, social media, newsletter, and center-tour outreach to families, donors, and advocates. No commercial pricing model, equity funding, or enterprise sales motion exists; the organization does not operate a software product, API, or developer-facing platform.

Name

Ability Now Bay Area

Legal name

Ability Now Bay Area

Website

https://abilitynowbayarea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ability Now Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1939 in Oakland, California, delivering adult education, adaptive technology, wellness therapies, small business incubation, and community integration programs to adults with developmental and physical disabilities in the East Bay, funded primarily through California Regional Center contracts and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Services / Adult Day Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

AT Device Setup, Integration & Technical Support (MDM, IT, Interoperability) (EDAKAIAK), Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Adult day programs
• Adaptive technology
• Vocational training
• Community integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland, CA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government/Regional Center Funding: Primary revenue stream from state and federal funding through Regional Centers of California, particularly the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), which provides services to adults with developmental disabilities.
2. Individual Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, with 100% of tax-deductible donations going directly to programs. Nearly 90% of all funds go to program services.
3. Vehicle Donations: Partnership with Car Donation Services, Inc. (CDS) to accept vehicle donations (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles) that are sold to generate donations supporting programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ability Now Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers comprehensive day programs for adults with developmental and physical disabilities in the East Bay. Its core offering is a portfolio of interrelated services—including Adult Education, the Laura Long Technology Center with adaptive workstations, Health & Wellness therapies, a Small Business Development Center, Community Integration outings, and Online Classes—delivered in person at its Oakland center and virtually to participants referred through California Regional Centers.

Product overview

Ability Now Bay Area is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a multi-program service portfolio for adults with developmental and physical disabilities. The organization operates as a unified platform of interrelated programs rather than a single product: its Adult Education program provides foundational academic and functional skills; the Laura Long Technology Center offers adaptive computer access; Health and Wellness delivers integrative therapies; the Small Business Development Center (Cornerstone Program) provides vocational training and business incubation; Community Integration facilitates independent living practice through outings; and Online Classes extend access to over 30 weekly virtual offerings. A subordinate sub-program, Ability Write Now, operates under the Small Business Development Center to support disabled writers in publishing. Programs are delivered both in-person at the Oakland, CA center and virtually, and are coordinated with regional center referrals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Education Adult learning classes that expand participants' functional and academic skills in subjects including math, reading, music, wellness, current events, advocacy, computer literacy, and independent living; offered in person and via virtual classroom with options rotating every six months.
• Laura Long Technology Center A technology center with 30 adaptive workstations (updated from 20) equipped with specialized hardware and software so adults with cognitive and physical disabilities can develop computer skills, use assistive technology, and access the internet.
• Health and Wellness Integrative health program offering adaptive yoga, Jin Shin Jyutsu acupressure, Feldenkrais movement therapy, massage therapy, nutrition, and healthful cooking classes to help participants increase functionality and relieve chronic pain and musculoskeletal stiffness.
• Small Business Development Center (Cornerstone Program) A small business incubator program that guides entrepreneurs with disabilities through five phases of business development—Discovery, Business Feasibility & Benefits Planning, Launch/Start-Up, Ongoing Support, and Exit/Retirement—to build and operate their own businesses.
• Community Integration Community outings and field trips that help participants develop and practice independent living skills such as money management, accessing community resources, transportation, and communication in public settings.
• Online Classes A virtual classroom program offering over 30 weekly classes—including Art & Crafts, Adaptive Yoga, Basic Computer Skills, Health & Nutrition, Feldenkrais, Storytelling, and Creative Writing—delivered via Zoom to participants enrolled through California Regional Centers and integrated with in-person offerings.
• Ability Write Now A writing and editorial services program under the Small Business Development Center that supports writers with disabilities in achieving publication through weekly virtual workshops, one-on-one writing coaching, editing, and submission research, including manuscript critique and dictation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants develop self-directed plans for their own continuing development and positive visions for their present and future selves

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Maker's ParadisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaker's Paradise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes community engagement through diverse art and training programs and services for emerging artists and makers. Their online gallery and marketplace currently features several entrepreneurs from Ability Now's Small Business Development Center, helping participants sell their products.
• Car Donation Services, Inc. (CDS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCDS has been helping local charities since 1990 and handles all aspects of vehicle donations including transfer paperwork. They market vehicles through multiple methods to maximize sale prices, resulting in larger donations and tax deductions for donors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through employment, leadership, and community programs. Comparable as a large-scale disability nonprofit serving overlapping participant populations, though focused more on social inclusion than day services.
• United Cerebral Palsy: National disability services organization, historically affiliated with Ability Now when it was the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Alameda County. Comparable mission and historical lineage serving people with cerebral palsy and broader developmental disabilities.
• Easterseals Bay Area: Part of the Easterseals national network providing disability and related services, including adult day, vocational, and assistive technology programs across California. Comparable as a multi-program disability services nonprofit operating in California with overlapping programmatic categories.
• The Arc of California: Statewide chapter of The Arc, focused on serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, day programs, and community living services. Comparable as a California I/DD services nonprofit with similar participant populations and Regional Center relationships.

Direct peers

• Futures Explored: Alameda County nonprofit providing adult day programs, vocational training, and community integration services to adults with developmental disabilities. Closely comparable as a neighboring Bay Area adult day services nonprofit with similar programs and Regional Center funding model.
• Parents Helping Parents: Bay Area-based family support and disability services nonprofit serving individuals with special needs, including adults, in Santa Clara County. Comparable as a regional disability services organization offering education, advocacy, and adult programs.

Emerging players

• AAC Institute: Specialized nonprofit advancing Augmentative and Alternative Communication and assistive technology practices. Comparable in its specific focus on assistive technology for individuals with complex communication needs, intersecting with Ability Now's adaptive technology center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/abilitynowba
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abilitynowba
• Instagraminstagram.com/abilitynowba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ability Now Bay Area