Community Connections
Shining a local light on:
Ability Beyond
Proudly serving:
Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport, Wilton
Learn more about their charity:
Community Connections
Community Connections shines a light on local charities whose compassion, service, and dedication strengthen the fabric of our community. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others and help the spirit of giving spread throughout our towns.
Under the spotlight today: Ability Beyond
An interview with Elita Walker, Ability Beyond
How do you brighten our community?
Ability Beyond's mission is to discover, build and celebrate the ability in all. We aim to empower people with disabilities so they can live, work, and thrive as active members of the community. When people with disabilities are supported to contribute their skills, passions, and voices, the entire community benefits—through stronger local economies, richer social connections, and a shared sense of possibility.
Who do you serve in our community?
Ability Beyond annually serves more than 3,000 people with disabilities and mental illness across Connecticut and New York through a comprehensive network of employment, residential, day, clinical and behavioral services, and more. Our services help adults gain independence, meaningful employment, and a fulfilling quality of life, fostering full inclusion in the communities they call home.
What are you most proud of?
We take pride in our strong partnerships across Fairfield County and beyond. By working alongside families, employers, volunteers, foundations, and elected officials, we are helping to build inclusive communities where people with disabilities are seen, valued, and fully engaged.
What was the spark that started your organization?
In 1953, Mary and Jack Walsh set out to create a quality of life for their young son Jimmy that simply did not exist at the time. They placed a small newspaper ad inviting parents of children with similar abilities to come together—and from the living room of their Danbury home, a movement was born. Founded on parental love, hope, and a belief in what was possible, Ability Beyond began as a grassroots effort and grew into an organization dedicated to enriching thousands of lives and creating meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities.
What is one of your future impact goals?
How did you change a life?
Who are your community partners?
Local-Insta thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Community Connections series possible!
Celebrating the charities that make our community stronger.
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