The Ability Experience: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities and Building Leaders
The Ability Experience, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 1977 and remains the exclusive philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi with the purpose of instilling lifelong service in its members and serving people with disabilities. Through hands-on, service-based leadership training and volunteer opportunities, The Ability Experience works to break down barriers and create inclusive spaces for all people to thrive.
A Brief History
The Ability Experience began in 1976 when Durward Owen, then Executive Director of Pi Kappa Phi, gathered the leadership of the fraternity to discuss initiatives to mobilize the undergraduate members. At that meeting, Thomas Sayre, a designer of therapeutic play units for children with severe disabilities, suggested a collaboration that would lead to a philanthropic initiative now known as The Ability Experience.
The organization's first program, Ability Weekend, was held in 1989 at Holy Angels in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since then, The Ability Experience has grown to become a nationally recognized leader in providing service and leadershipå¹è® to fraternity members and graduates.
Our Mission and Vision
The Ability Experience's mission is to instill lifelong service in its members and to serve people with disabilities. Our vision is to create a community where the abilities of all people are recognized and valued. We believe in the abilities of all people and strive to demonstrate the importance of seeing a person and their abilities before their disability.
Our Values
The Ability Experience stands on four core values: abilities, teamwork, empathy, and integrity. These values guide the organization in all of its endeavors, ensuring that each program and event is conducted with a focus on these principles.
Our Programs
The Ability Experience offers a variety of programs designed to support people with disabilities and foster leadership development among fraternity members. These include Journey of Hope, Gear Up Florida, Build America, Ability Camp, AccessABILITY, and Build America.
Journey of Hope is a cross-country cycling trip that raising awareness and funds for programs that serve people with disabilities. Gear Up Florida, held in the winter, focuses on service projects and leadership development. Build America sends members to six camps across the country to build accessible amenities and interact with campers.
Ability Camps provide week-long service projects for college students at locations across the country. AccessABILITY introduces students to local service projects that make homes accessible, and Build America aims to improve the livability for people with disabilities through construction projects.
Our Grants and Funding
The Ability Experience funds grants to organizations that align with its mission and focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities. Eligible organizations must meet strict criteria, including tax-exempt status and a history of transparent financial reporting.
Volunteering and Community Engagement
The Ability Experience encourages volunteers to join its programs and events, providing opportunities for chapter engagement, relationship-building, and meaningful experiences. Volunteering allows The Ability Experience to create meaningful connections with local organizations and individuals with disabilities.
Our Impact
Over the years, The Ability Experience has raised over $15 million to support programs and grants that benefit people with disabilities. In addition to financial contributions, The Ability Experience has trained thousands of leaders on disability awareness and service-oriented approaches.
chapters and engagement
Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country have established relationships with local organizations that serve people with disabilities, facilitating fundraising efforts and volunteerism. These chapter engagement initiatives have led to the creation of over 600,000 volunteer hours and countless hours of training for leaders.
Future Plans
The Ability Experience is constantly seeking new opportunities to expand its programs and reach more people in need. New programs are in development, and more funding is being raised to support existing and new initiatives.
Conclusion
For over 40 years, The Ability Experience has been a leader in the fight to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Through a combination of innovative programming, strong advocacy, and a commitment to servant leadership, the Ability Experience is well-positioned to continue its mission for decades to come.
The Ability Experience is a powerful force for change, harnessing the spirit of fraternity and the commitment to service to create a world where people with disabilities are not only acknowledged but also celebrated and embraced. Through its programs and initiatives, The Ability Experience is helping to build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.