Since 1926, we have supported people with disabilities by focusing on capabilities and expanding possibilities. Today, we work with more than 1,500 individuals and their families throughout Greater Los Angeles.
“For many, AbilityFirst is a lifeline —
a source of purpose, connection, and love.
We are a community.”
— Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi,
AbilityFirst CEO & President
Our Approach
We serve children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual/developmental and physical disabilities, helping them build confidence and realize their full potential throughout their lives.
Our programs are tailored to individual needs, emphasizing social connections, communication, independence, healthy living, and volunteer/employment participation.
Our History
Crippled Children’s Society
Camp Paivika – 1951
In 1926, a group of businessmen from the Los Angeles Rotary Club reached out to help children affected by the pre-vaccine polio epidemic. These visionary men, looking beyond crippling physical disabilities, saw children and capabilities first and sought ways to help these children flourish and thrive. Out of this seed of compassion and concern, AbilityFirst™—with all the promise of its cornerstone belief in capability—was born.
Originally named the Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California, AbilityFirst and its founders were cutting-edge advocates for disability rights. AbilityFirst went on to pioneer some of the very first community services in California for children with disabilities. Additional highlights include: setting a model standard in accessibility with the design and construction of one of the first fully accessible camps in the nation; opening one of the first vocational training programs in the country for adults with disabilities; being a forerunner in supported employment helping adults with developmental disabilities succeed in community jobs; and sponsoring and helping secure passage of state Senate Bill 309 so young adults with developmental disabilities can attend after school programs throughout high school.
In 2000, we adopted the name AbilityFirst to better reflect our mission, vision, and commitment to celebrating the unique abilities of every individual. Today, AbilityFirst is distinguished by: evidence-based services, exceptional leadership and management, longstanding experience and community roots, and outcomes-based program evaluation with measurable results. That tiny seed—looking beyond the disabilities of polio to see children and capabilities first—has grown strong, deep roots.