Independent Living Skills Training

The Ability Center offers two Independent Living Skills Training (ILST) Programs. One is geared toward adults and operated through the Housing Resource Center. The other is intended for young adults and those transitioning into adult life. It is operated through the Youth and Transition Department.

Adult Community Inclusion Program

The Adult ILS Trainings are divided into two paths, based upon the qualifications of the individual requesting assistance. First, if you are an adult, age 25 or older, who has been working with our Housing Resource Center and you meet their qualifications for Extended Assistance, you can participate by contacting Tiffany at the email below or by calling her at the center number above.

Tiffany Tierney - HRC Community Inclusion Coordinator

Second, if you are an adult, age 25 or older, but not connected with The Ability Center through our Housing Resource Center, and you would like to participate in the Adult ILS Training, or in our Community-Based or Recreational Programming, contact Mark at the email below or by calling him at the center number above.

Independent Living Trainee prepares to feed hungry staff after IL Cooking class.

Mark Armstrong - Community Inclusion Manager

The Ability Center works to empower, encourage, and support the initiatives of people with disabilities. To this end, we offer individualized classes meant to build confidence and improve the many skills needed to live independently.

We offer training in the following Independent Living Skills Category

1) Financial Management
2) Social Skills Development
3) Health Management Skills
4) Home Management Skills
5) Personal Skills
6) Community Living Skills

The classes, tailored to the individual’s needs and desires, Focus on Ability and Celebrate Diversity.

Community-Based or Recreational-Based Training Program

As part of our new initiative toward Building Inclusive Communities, The Ability Center will be working closely with a growing number of community partners, mentors and volunteers to provide opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to live, work and recreate in community-based programs and settings. To explore these opportunities or to learn more about Community-Based or Recreational based training contact Mark at his email above or by calling him at the center’s number above.

Young consumer learns budgeting

Youth/Transition ILST Program

Youth and Transition Department Staff:

Dawn Petersen – Youth Programs Director
Kacey Yeager – Independent Living Skills Coordinator
Alison Ross - Youth and Recreation Inclusion Coordinator
Tim Kershner – Mentor Program Coordinator


** Internships, Clinical, and Volunteer experiences available

Independent Living Program

The Independent Living Skills Coordinator works with the Youth Department Staff to measure a consumer’s self-determination in order to create individual goals.

They also teach Independent Living Skills Classes offered throughout the year. We currently offer three different class sessions and there is a waiting list. However, we are working to alleviate the waiting list and offer more sessions for the next year.

Independent Living Classes Offered

There are 15 various classes offered in the ACT Independent Living Skills/Transition Curriculum:

1. Social Skills
2. Sex Education
3. Personal Hygiene
4. Transportation
5. Cooking Skills
6. Home Economics
7. Meal Planning/Preparation
8. Home Care
9. Budgeting
10. Banking
11. Computer Skills Training
12. Interview Skills
13. Resume Training
14. Application Process
15. Job Search and Placement

Those consumers taking the Independent Living Skills Classes have an opportunity to participate in the Two-week Independent Living Skills Simulation during the summer months. There are two sessions offered each summer with different consumers participating in each session. The Two-week Independent Living Skills Simulation allows students who have been taking the Independent Living Skills Classes to put what they have learned in the classes into practice. The students have an overnight experience for three nights and complete a simulation created to assess what they have learned in their classes and what skills they still need to work on or acquire. Some of the activities include creating and managing a budget, utilizing public transportation, shopping for and preparing meals, etc.

The Independent Living Skills Coordinator also collaborates with other staff to hold various activities for ACT consumers throughout the year such as dances, a Christmas “Holiday” Party, Quarterly transition nights, Bowling tournaments, etc.